ISKANDAR PUTERI: The green algae-like spots on the surface of Sungai Melayu near here which has been spotted for the past few days have raised concerns among the fishing community and local residents.
Fisherman, Mohamad Sa Nur Mohamed Nur, 30, claimed that his skin felt itchy when exposed to the water.
“I went fishing two days ago. When i lifted the fishing net, it was dirty (with the green spots) and when my hands and body exposed to the water, my skin felt itchy and rashes started to appear,” he told reporters when met at the Kampung Sungai Melayu jetty today.
Head of Kampung Sungai Melayu Fishing Community Kamarudin Ahmad said a similar situation had happened before but it was not so bad.
“For the last three days the water was slimy and the smell was horrible. When this kind of situation occurs we will experience a decline in sea produce such as shrimp, crab and fish.
“Usually I could get three to four kg of catch a day but these past few days I’d be lucky if i can take home 1 kg. Some of the fishermen don’t make any profit,” he said.
Fearing that the situation will get worse, the fishing community in the area lodged a report with the relevant parties yesterday, said Kamarudin who has been a fisherman for 35 years.
Kota Iskandar State Assembly Constituency Special Coordinating Committee chairman Pandak Ahmad said he had informed the Iskandar Puteri Municipal Council about the matter so that appropriate action could be taken.
“The state Fisheries Department and the Department of Environment visited the area yesterday to investigate and collect water samples for analysis,” he said.
Pandak hoped that the relevant agencies would continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance to the fishermen whose source of income has been affected.
Currently, there are 132 fishermen comprising 106 deep-sea fishermen, 20 mussel breeders and six caged fish breeders in Sungai Melayu. — Bernama
