THE income of fishermen has been reduced by almost 50% although the Government allows them to operate during the movement control order (MCO).
Sungai Batu Fishermen Unit deputy chief Mohd Ismail Ahmad, 60, said that although the fishermen could go out to sea, they were unable to sell their catch as several markets were closed.
“We have 150 full-time fishermen and 33 part-time fishermen.
“Most of us do prawn fishing. The prawn population has dwindled due to climate change and pollution.
“Our catch went down by 40% recently. We caught a lot of rubbish instead,” he told Buletin Mutiara when met at the southwest district Social Welfare Office in Balik Pulau today.
He was there, representing his fishermen unit, to receive aid from non-governmental organisation, AnakPinang.
AnakPinang contributed 50 packets of groceries and essentials to three fishermen units – Sungai Batu, Gertak Sanggul and Teluk Kumbar.
AnakPinang member Joshua Woo said AnakPinang was concerned about the well-being of the fishermen, whose income are badly affected by the MCO.
“Many of them approached the state assemblymen for assistance during this challenging period. We, as an NGO, want to play our part to help those in need,” Woo said.
The organisation chairman Tan Chen Tat said AnakPinang donated rice, eggs, flour, cooking oil, biscuits, three-ply masks, washable masks, hand sanitisers, sugar, and condensed milk to the fishermen.
The goods were presented to southwest district Social Welfare Department acting officer Mohd Yusmin Nordin. The office will distribute the aid to the respective fishermen units.
Mohd Yusmin thanked AnakPinang for its contribution and hoped that more organisations could step in to assist the needy.
Also present was Teluk Kumbar Fishermen Unit chief Roslizan Ramli.
Story by Christopher Tan
Photos by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi