Aquaculture Project Threatens Mangroves and Fishers Livelihood
The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) urges the Perak state government
to investigate and take immediate action to resolve the problem faced by about
500 small fishers in Kampung Sungai Tuntung, Panchor and Pengkalan Bharu near
Pantai Remis whose livelihood have been threatened by aquaculture projects in
this area.
to investigate and take immediate action to resolve the problem faced by about
500 small fishers in Kampung Sungai Tuntung, Panchor and Pengkalan Bharu near
Pantai Remis whose livelihood have been threatened by aquaculture projects in
this area.
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| New project proposed in Tanjung Burung Forest Reserve at Kampung Sungai Tuntung, Pantai Remis, Perak. |
Besides threatening fishery resource and income of fishers, the
shrimp and crab culture projects have also destroyed hundreds of hectares of
mangroves in this area and have polluted the river and sea by discharging effluents
from the ponds.
shrimp and crab culture projects have also destroyed hundreds of hectares of
mangroves in this area and have polluted the river and sea by discharging effluents
from the ponds.
From a survey done by CAP, we understand from fishers that part of
the mangroves that were destroyed to make way for aquaculture projects were
originally permanent reserved forest i.e. Tanjung Burung Forest Reserve that should
be protected and conserved. However what
is happening now is that our natural heritage is being destroyed for
aquaculture projects.
the mangroves that were destroyed to make way for aquaculture projects were
originally permanent reserved forest i.e. Tanjung Burung Forest Reserve that should
be protected and conserved. However what
is happening now is that our natural heritage is being destroyed for
aquaculture projects.
Hence, CAP urges the Perak Forestry Department and Manjung District Land
Office (Pejabat Tanah dan Galian Daerah Manjung) to investigate the complaint
and make public their findings, especially to local fisher community regarding the
status of the mangroves that have been affected by the aquaculture projects
here.
Office (Pejabat Tanah dan Galian Daerah Manjung) to investigate the complaint
and make public their findings, especially to local fisher community regarding the
status of the mangroves that have been affected by the aquaculture projects
here.
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| Pipe to discharge effluents from shrimp pond in Sungai Tuntung, Pantai Remis, Perak |
Nordin Mohd Hasim, 42, a fisherman here stated that since the
aquaculture project started, their catch of fish and crabs have dwindled. Previously, the fishers here could get an
income of more than RM200 per day but now at times they return home
empty-handed or with a meager income of RM30 per day.
aquaculture project started, their catch of fish and crabs have dwindled. Previously, the fishers here could get an
income of more than RM200 per day but now at times they return home
empty-handed or with a meager income of RM30 per day.
Alias Said, 61, said that previously he could get a catch of about
20kg of ikan sembilang (eel-tailed catfish) per day but now if fortunate he
gets only 5kg per day. He opines that if the destruction of mangroves continues
fish and crabs which are the main catch here will become extinct and fishers
will lose their source of income.
20kg of ikan sembilang (eel-tailed catfish) per day but now if fortunate he
gets only 5kg per day. He opines that if the destruction of mangroves continues
fish and crabs which are the main catch here will become extinct and fishers
will lose their source of income.
CAP is disappointed that mangroves are continued to be destroyed and
till now no effective action is being taken to protect them. CAP also urges the Fisheries Department,
Department of Environment (DOE) and Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID)
to investigate this issue and take stern and appropriate action to resolve the
problems faced by fishers here.
till now no effective action is being taken to protect them. CAP also urges the Fisheries Department,
Department of Environment (DOE) and Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID)
to investigate this issue and take stern and appropriate action to resolve the
problems faced by fishers here.
S.M.MOHAMED IDRIS
President
Consumers’ Association of Penang
10, Jalan Masjid Negeri
11600 PENANG
Malaysia