THE wind is heavy and the seas blustery from October to December. The monsoon is here and the rains mark the start of bad weather in the east coast.
During the monsoon, the fishermen here cannot go out to the sea as they often sail more than 15 nautical miles from the coast.
For some fishermen, the bad weather is a blessing. The waters near the beach get muddy and become shelter for many small fish. It feels like a feast here as many amateur fishermen and anglers seek shade under umbrellas, trying their luck to catch a fish or two.
Despite the monsoon, many types of fish can be found near the coast and the muddy waters are home to fish like gelama, tamban, bawal, jemedi and edek. Gelama is best used for making dried fish, to be sold to local customers where it can reach to RM12 per kilo.
The full-time fishermen, however, use trawls. One of those using the nets is Azmie Hamzah from Kg Seberang Takir Baru in Kuala Terengganu. During the monsoon, the 39-year-old will fish near the beach, using a 120m drag trawl with the help of up to 10 people. They can earn up to RM300 a day from this method of fishing.
But Azmie and other fishermen are worried these days. They fear the catch could dwindle due to the construction of a drawbridge at the estuary of Sg Terengganu, linking Kuala Terengganu city to Kuala Nerus via Seberang Takir. The RM240 million bridge can be drawn up for ships to pass through – a first in Asia – when it is completed in 2018. – December 16, 2017.
Azmie Hamzah (in a blue T-shirt) adjusting the drag trawl with the help of family members before he starts the day on the beach in Kg Baru Sebarang Takir in Kuala Terengganu. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.With help from other villagers, they push the boat to the beach. Such activities foster the strong bond among the kampung folk. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.Family members and villagers sorting out and grading fish. Some will be dried, others sold as fresh fish and shared among them. The most popular product at Kg Baru Seberang Takir in Kuala Terengganu is dried fish. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.With the help of family members and villagers, they slowly pull the trawl to the beach. About eight to 10 people are needed during this process. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.A boy playing on a beach while waiting for his friends and family members preparing the trawl (pukat tarik) to catch fish at Kg Baru, Seberang Takir in Kuala Terengganu. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.Azmie Hamzah cleaning his outboard motor in the backyard. The equipment must be cleaned regularly because of constant exposure to seawater, which can damage the engine. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.Fish being dried to make ikan kering on the beach at Kg Baru, Seberang Takir, Kuala Terengganu. Gelama is the best fish to make dried fish. The price of the dried fish can reach to RM12 per kilo. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.Women weighing dried fish before selling them to locals at Kg Baru Seberang Takir in Kuala Terengganu. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.During the monsoon season, many anglers come to Seberang Takir beach. Many are seasoned fishermen. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.A boy helping to drag a trawl (pukat tarik) at the Seberang Takir beach in Kuala Terengganu. The trawl is let down to 3m. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.Villagers and family members sorting out and grading fish on the beach. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.After helping their parents with the trawl, two youngsters clean the fish on the Seberang Takir beach in Kuala Terengganu. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.Children swimming and playing on the Kg Seberang Takir beach at Kuala Terengganu after finishing their chores for the day. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.A coastal fisherman throwing his net on the Kg Seberang Takir beach in Kuala Terengganu. In the background is a new drawbridge which is currently under constructions at the estuary of Sg Terengganu, linking Kuala Terengganu city to Kuala Nerus via Seberang Takir. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.Children resting on the Seberang Takir beach after helping their familes catch fish using a trawl at Kg Seberang Takir beach at Kuala Terengganu. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.Azmie Hamzah checking the trawl for damage after a day's fishing. The cost of repair is higher nowadays. Most fisherman, however, know how to mend their equipment. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.Clothes drying on a bright and sunny day in the backyard of Azmie Hamzah’s house at Kg Baru Seberang Takir in Kuala Terengganu. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, December 16, 2017.
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