BAYAN LEPAS: Permatang Damar Laut, site of the controversial Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, is not how it used to be.
Checks by the New Straits Times today revealed that the water in the area has turned a deep grey.
Although the affected spot – located just beside the PSR project information centre – is not as popular with tourists as other areas, such as Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang, it is important for the area's fishermen.
A local living nearby told the NST that the water has been grey since last week.
"Not many come here unless to dine at the nearby restaurants and hang out by the sea.
"They only stay briefly and it might be because the water here is murky.
"We have no idea why it looks like this because we do not see any projects nearby," said the woman in her 40s.
Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) director Professor Datuk Dr Aileen Tan, when notified, said her staff will look into the matter.
Sifting through photographs and videos sent to her, she said she believes the situation is caused by silt.
"This will not affect fish much, because they can swim away, but it can be harmful for invertebrates that live in the sandflat, such as clams or starfish, who are either immobile or have restricted movement.
"It could also be from discharge or runoff from surrounding rivers. Our team will have a look and will update accordingly," Dr Aileen added.