Fresh catch: Kachil cleaning a fish caught using traps and nets at the mouth of the Kinta River by the Kampung Permatang Pelanduk Jetty in Perak. — Bernama
PASIR SALAK: The ongoing north-east monsoon turned out to be a stroke of fortune for Sungai Kinta fishermen, allowing them to earn more than they usually do.
Since the water level in Sungai Kinta began to rise on Nov 25, the surrounding areas have once again come alive with fishing activities, with fishermen making frequent trips to check their traps or nets for the day’s catch.
Mohamad Rezuan Sabri, 32, said he and his father, Sabri Kachil, 61, had landed about 140kg of various fish species, including lundu, baung, rohu and patin, since the floods struck six days ago.
“We would never miss a chance like this. Even though the flooding did not last long, it almost doubled what we usually make.
“My father and I go out on our boat every day from 8am to 12.30pm, travelling about 15km from Permatang Pelanduk Jetty to Kuala Sungai Kinta, just to catch bigger and more fish,” he told Bernama.
Mohamad Rezuan said he placed traps and nets at several spots to ensure each trip produced the best possible catch.
“We put bubu and nets along the riverbanks, where fish usually find their food. We use bait such as oil palm fruit, coconut flesh and fish meat,” he said.
Despite having more than 20 years experience making a living on the river, each flood season posed its own challenges, requiring him to remain alert and cautious.
The father of five added that encountering creatures such as crocodiles and also floating logs were among the daily risks they faced.
“Whenever we encounter a crocodile, we make sure to stay away. The biggest danger for me is floating logs, as they can damage our boats and put our lives at risk,” he said.
The Teluk Intan native also said the flood season enabled fishermen to learn how fish moved with the changing water levels, helping them improve their skills in choosing strategic fishing spots.
He said whenever the water level rose, fish tended to move from deep pools towards the banks, turning shallow areas into prime fishing spots.
“Apart from increasing our catch, this season allowed us to share knowledge and techniques with other fishermen in the area. We exchanged tips on the best spots to set traps or nets,” he said.
