BAYAN LEPAS: Some 300 fishermen in Teluk Kumbar here are worried their livelihoods will be affected following serious pollution surrounding their fishing grounds.
The pollution, over the past five years, resulted in marine live such as fish, prawn and crabs to dwindle.
The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), which visited the site, said the pollution was believed to have been caused by sewage waste from nearby residential areas.
Fisherman Bakri Bakar, 56, said the waste was thrown into the river before flowing into the sea, resulting in the sea water to turn blackish with a foul stench.
"This led to the dwindling of marine live, affecting our livelihoods.
"The issue has been going on for a long time with no solution in sight," he said.
Meanwhile, CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader urged the Penang government, the Penang Island City Council, the Department of Environment and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage to conduct a thorough investigation into the causes of sea pollution in Teluk Kumbar.
He said all parties were also urged to take immediate action to overcome the problem that affected the more than 300 fishermen in the area.
He said the problem had been ongoing for the past five years but no appropriate action was taken.
"Fishermen, who are affected, are worried that they will lose their livelihoods due to the increasingly serious sea pollution.
"If this issue is left unchecked, the rivers and seas there will be polluted more seriously in future. The fishermen who depend on the catch in the area will lose their source of income to support themselves," he added.