Complaining of their catch being greatly reduced as well, the fishermen also raised concerns if the fish they have managed to catch from the area was safe to be eaten.
The fishermen want the department of environment (DoE) and the fisheries department to conduct an urgent investigation into the effects of the Pulau Burung landfill, which is located 6km northwest of Nibong Tebal, on the coastal waters.
“Poor control of leachate from the landfill could be the likely culprit,” Penang Fishermen’s Association chairman Nazri Ahmad said at a press conference yesterday.
He added that the seeping of leachate, which is a by-product of rubbish and water, could be leaking through poorly constructed perimeter drains surrounding the landfill.
According to Nazri, the fault likely lies on the material used in the perimeter drains or “bunds”, which he claimed were constructed using primitive materials, like red earth.
He said this has led to breeders with fish farms off the waters of Nibong Tebal discovering “tonnes” of dead fish since July.
“When it rains, the drains are not able to contain the leachate and it leaks out to the sea. If the bund was built using concrete, it could have held back the leachate,” Nazri said.
Meanwhile, Nibong Tebal Fish Farmers’ Association chairman Tioh Tiang Lai said the leachate issue has been a “ticking time bomb” for fish breeders who have long set-up fish farms in the waters off Nibong Tebal.
He said 180 breeders are already suffering from the “dead fish” phenomenon.
Badrul Hisham Hashim of the Fishermen’s Rights Association said he was concerned that the alleged pollution might harm the consumption of fish caught in the waters.
The Pulau Burung landfill comprises three phases, with the first two phases covering a total of 128 acres and the third phase taking up 315 acres of land.
With the first two phases of the landfill already at maximum capacity, all rubbish is now being dumped at the third phase of the site.
It was reported at least 1,700 to 1,800 tonnes of rubbish is dumped at the landfill on a daily basis.
The landfill is jointly owned by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP).
A modern landfill plant was to be built by PLB Terang Sdn Bhd on the third phase of the landfill. The company was awarded the contract by the local councils in 2012 with the responsibility of managing the landfill for 20 years.
At a cost of nearly RM20 million, the upgraded landfill will meet a “Level 4” landfill standard, which is the highest standard under environmental regulations.
A material recovery facility or MRF would be built together with a separate leachate treatment plant at the site. It is expected to be completed in November this year pending DoE approval.
State local government committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow has been contacted for comment.