GEORGE TOWN: Climate change is influencing how young people earn a living, and stay safe while on the job.
Fisherman Mohamad Fareez Rosli, 33, now brings with him extra drinking water, together with a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker, a torchlight, life jackets and lifebuoys whenever he heads out to sea.
He also relies on weather apps and stays in touch with fellow fishermen to monitor changing sea conditions.
The Butterworth Fishermen’s Unit chief said weather and wind patterns had become increasingly erratic over the past five years, changing how fishermen prepare before heading out to sea.
“In the past, strong storms usually brought more fish from deeper waters. Now, storms are milder, more frequent and less predictable.
“So, we have to prepare for both scorching heat and heavy rain.
“When a major storm is approaching, I move my 7.3m boat to a sheltered estuary until the weather improves,” said Mohamad Fareez, who first went to sea at the age of 16 with his father and grandfather.
He said local fishermen work within one or two nautical miles of the shore for up to 12 hours at a time, but marine pollution worsened by changing weather has added to their struggles.
“During dry spells, plastic bags and other rubbish are blown into drains.
“Heavy rain then washes the rubbish as well as tree branches into the sea, which then damages our fishing nets.
“Over the past 10 years, my catch has dropped by about 40% while operating costs continued to rise,” he said.
Food delivery rider Muhammad Lukman Hakim, 30, said being on the road most times during really hot days or when it rains is challenging.
“The heat is exhausting, so I always carry water and drink sweet beverages for energy to keep going. Sometimes, I take a short break in the afternoon before continuing.
“Rainy days usually bring in more delivery orders because customers stay indoors and some riders choose not to work.
“But I keep riding because that’s when I can earn more,” said Muhammad Lukman, who spends about 12 hours daily completing between 20 and 40 deliveries.
He typically earns between RM3,000 and RM4,000 a month, with his income reaching RM6,000 during peak periods.
Fellow delivery rider Ryu Cheah, 26, has also adapted to the increasingly hot weather by prioritising hydration and sun protection.
Working about seven hours a day, five days a week, Cheah drinks around five litres of water on hot days and wears long-sleeved clothing, a balaclava and sunglasses to reduce heat exposure and glare.
“If I’ve reached my delivery target, I’ll take a short break.
“Collecting orders from shopping malls also gives me a chance to cool down with the air conditioner.
“I actually prefer rainy days because we usually get more orders when customers stay indoors. To get through long shifts, I also plan my routes around regular meal stops before heading back on the road,” he said.
