KOTA TINGGI: With their livelihood threatened by the recent oil spill, some 50 fishermen in Tanjung Balau and Tanjung Lompat turned to the government to seek assistance.
“This is the worst oil spill we have ever faced,” said Koperasi Sinar Tanjung Balau chairman Salahuden Abu Bakar.
The substance was also visible on the beach, posing a threat to the marine ecosystem and tourism activities in the area.
He said the rehabilitation efforts would take at least six months before the 10km spill could be cleared, affecting the livelihood of the fishermen and residents there.
This, he said, was on top of the losses they had suffered due to damaged fishing equipment including bubu (fish traps) and nets.
“A lot of the new bubu made of rotan, woods, steel wires were used as the structure design blends well with the natural landscape and made catching fish more effective compared to the old methods.
“However, the fish traps, which cost RM200 each, are now covered in black oil.
“Even if we manage to clean them there is no guarantee that they can be re-used as the strong grease scent could drive fish away,” he said when met at Tanjung Balau here on Thursday.
He said the fishermen suffered a total of RM8,000 loss due to damage of the 40 fish traps placed there.
“Each fisherman earns between RM400 and RM500 weekly. However, they are currently unable to use bubu to catch fish due to the oil spill,” he said.
Salahuden hoped that the government could assist the fishermen in obtaining compensation from the parties responsible for the incident.
Johor Marine Department on Thursday found 300 tonnes of marine fuel oil covering a distance of 10km in Tanjung Balau and Batu Layar waters, and some of the black substance reached its beach.
Following this, it informed Johor Environment Department.