A GLUT of ikan kembong (mackerel) in the northwestern states of the peninsula has seen fishermen’s income plummeting by as much as 60% in the last three weeks.

The fishermen told The Malaysian Insight that before the change in season, they could make on average RM100 a day – minus operating costs and wages for their crew.

But now, they are averaging just RM30 a day.

The fish, which has appeared in large numbers in several areas in Penang, Kedah and Perlis waters, is now being sold at between 50 sen and 80 sen a kilo.

Unlike deep-sea fishermen, most of the affected fishermen fall in Zone A, which allows them to fish up to 5 nautical miles from shore.

While the price drop is good for consumers, it is devastating for them.

One of the places where ikan kembong is being sold at rock-bottom prices is Pengkalan Bisik Kuala Muda in Penaga, Penang.

Fisherman Abdul Safar Abdul Rahman, 60, is one of those affected since the arrival of westerly winds.

“My income has gone down by as much as 60%.”

Before the change in season, he said, he could make a RM100 profit per day, but that has been reduced to about RM30 due to the glut.

“Usually, we can sell 3kg to 4kg of the small-sized ikan kembong for RM20.

“Now, we are forced to sell for between 70 sen and 80 sen a kilo.”

Kuala Muda fishermen said in desperate circumstances, they would sell the fish at 50 sen a kilo.

Safar said making RM30 for a tonne of catch is not good business.

He said fuel costs him up to RM400, and ice to keep the fish fresh costs RM50.

“With the glut, we have to sell our catch even if we don’t make much profit.”

He is now appealing to the Agriculture and Food-based Industry Ministry to control the price of ikan kembong.

“It cost us 70 sen to catch a kilo of fish, but when it reaches the market, the fish is sold at RM4 a kilo.

“This is unfair because the middlemen make more than us.”

Ikan kembong of the C and D grades is currently in abundance. Usually, it is sold for RM6 a kilo, with 18 to 20 fish in a kilo.

To overcome the low prices, fishermen are selling the fish wholesale in baskets of 4kg to 5kg for between RM25 and RM35.

The situation is reportedly so bad that some are forced to sell their catch at RM5 a basket.

The fishermen go out to sea as early as 3am and start trickling back with their catch from 9am.

Azrul Shamsuddin, 37, said he is worried that the glut will continue for much longer. 

The season could last three to four months.

“I’m worried. My daily costs are so high and my catch is being sold at very low prices.”

He said the Covid-19 pandemic is not helping, as ikan kembong exports to China and Indonesia have stopped.

This is another reason why the prices are so low, he said.

“We have to get rid of them (our catch). They cannot be left unsold. Every time we land our catch, they need to be sold quickly.”

Norliza Ismail of Kuala Ketil, Kedah, said she has come to Kuala Muda twice to buy fish after the low prices went viral on social media.

She said she bought a kilo of ikan kembong for just 50 sen, adding that one time, she bought 5kg to give away to charity.

“We already have enough for our family. In the market back home, sometimes a kilo costs tens of ringgit.”

Police pensioner Mat Isa Basri said he hopes the season will last a long time.

The 58-year-old said consumers like him just want to buy fish at a bargain.

Two months ago, fishermen were complaining about low catch in Kuala Muda.

“We know this glut won’t last long, which is why we are here scooping up the fish when the price is still low,” said Mat Isa. – March 15, 2020.