MATU: Fish and other marine resources have long been essential for the livelihoods of fishermen, with the monsoon season exerting a significant impact on their lives.
Aini Junaidi, a fisherman from Matu Daro, emphasized how profoundly the monsoon season affects them, saying, “The impact is unmistakable when we are unable to venture out to sea since our primary income stems from it. We heavily rely on selling our daily catch, making the monsoon season a pivotal period for us.”
During the monsoon season, Aini explained that many of them resort to part-time jobs or farming, which, unfortunately, disrupts their regular income flow.
Farming, in particular, proves time-consuming before yielding profits, unlike the immediate returns from selling their sea catches.
Aini highlighted that they directly market their catches to wholesalers in nearby areas.
He expressed gratitude for the rural development initiatives by the Sarawak Government, particularly citing the Muara Lassa Bridge, which facilitates easier marketing of their catch beyond local boundaries.
“This development has undeniably benefitted us as fishermen, ultimately boosting our earnings,” Aini elaborated.
He also foresaw a rise in the market value of fish with such government interventions.
Moreover, Aini conveyed his aspirations for the younger generation to consider pursuing fishing as a career.
Encouraging parents to nurture their children’s interest in the fishing industry, he envisioned a prosperous future for the fisheries sector in the region.
