Mud waste pollution hits Teluk Bahang fishermen

Mud waste pollution hits Teluk Bahang fishermen

Barges disposing sludge from the Gurney Drive reclamation site are leaving a trail of rubbish in the sea, claims the environmental group Sahabat Alam Malaysia.

A fisherman from Teluk Bahang showing the damage to his nets caused by wood and iron waste.
PETALING JAYA:
Mud waste pollution in the waters off Teluk Bahang has caused the catches of the 200 inshore fishermen in the area to drop by more than 50%, environmental group Sahabat Alam Malaysia said.

It said barges disposing mud waste and sludge from the reclamation site at Gurney Drive to Pulau Kendi are believed to be behind the pollution, which has been going on for the last year.

SAM president SM Mohamed Idris said wood and iron waste are also getting stuck to the nets of the fishermen.

He urged the state government, the Department of Environment and the Marine Department to investigate and take action so the pollution does not worsen.

The fishing village at Teluk Bahang which houses about 200 families.

“SAM understands that the supply of fish and shrimp, which are the main sources of income for the fishermen, has dropped by more than 50%,” he said in a statement.

Idris said the Fisheries Department should hold a meeting with the fishermen to look into their problems.

He said the authorities should compensate the fishermen for their loss and help them meet the cost of repairing their nets.

“SAM is concerned over the impact of the reclamation projects on the state’s inshore fishermen.

“Look at what has happened in Tanjong Tokong, Gelugor, Batu Uban, Queensbay and Gurney Drive,” Idris said.

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