Society

Food Boxes (Bekas makanan)

The Sungai Batu fishing unit receives consistent support from MyFundAction, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Shah Alam, the state capital of Selangor, Malaysia. It supplies the fishermen with food boxes containing basic necessities and dry rations such as rice, sugar, salt, flour, cooking oil, and condiments like tomato and chili sauce.

Did you know?

The Sungai Batu fishing unit receives additional support from the Penang Island Fishing Association (Persatuan Nelayan Pulau Pinang) and the elected DAP representative of Bayan Lepas, Azrul Mahathir Aziz PH through regular donations of bottled mineral water.

This supply of food boxes and bottled water are unique to Sungai Batu; no other fishing village has them.

Tsunami (Tsunami)

When the fishermen talk about the tsunami, they are usually alluding to the Boxing Day Tsunami which struck Penang on 26th December 2004.

(Source)

Did you know?

According to the fishermen, this tsunami was a rare event, occuring once every eighty years, and powerful enough to capsize all the boats from Sungai Batu to Teluk Kumbar. Fortunately, many of the fishermen lived to tell their own tale.

Reclamation (Penambakan)

The ongoing land reclamation project to develop the artificial Penang South Islands (PSI) is presented as a necessity for the state's long-term economic development and transformation. At the same time, it is also contested as a threat to the traditional fishing practices and livelihoods of Penang's fishermen.

Did you know?

The Sungai Batu fishermen have expressed that the reduction of water quality caused by adding materials (rocks, soil, sand etc.) to the breeding ground of shrimps and crabs closer to shore has led to a chain reaction of impacts:

(1) The quantity of catch, especially shrimps and crabs, has fallen.

(2) Along with (1), the diminishing size and quantity of fishing spots have forced the fishermen to travel further out to sea.

(3) The further the fishermen venture out to sea, the greater the financial and physical strain as they would need to replenish more fuel and maintain their boats more frequently.

(4) Even their nets are dirtied and damaged faster, adding to the burden of needing to maintain the nets more frequently and thoroughly.

(5) Older fishermen who travel alone face the additional struggle of controlling their boats whilst exposed to stronger winds and tides further away from shore.

Zone (Zon)

Penang's method of demarcating their fishing grounds. There are five zones: Zone A, B, C, C2 and C3. Each zone signifies a unique distance from the coastline in nautical miles with its own permitted vessels. (1 nautical mile is approximately 1.852km.)

Zone A (Licensed Traditional Fishermen): 0 - 5
Zone B (Trawlers): 5 - 12
Zone C (Trawlers): 12 - 30
Zone C2 (Trawlers): 30 - EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) Boundary
Zone C3 (Tuna Long-liners): High Seas

Unit Nelayan Sungai Batu are coastal fishermen under the category of Nelayan Zon A (Zone A Fishermen).

Themes: Commerce, Society

Fish Market (Pasar ikan)

Usually refers to the fish market next to the jetty at Sungai Batu. As part of the association, the fish market acts as the intermediary between the fishermen and external, independent buyers (see "Unit").

Did you know?

The Sungai Batu fish market regularly supplies its catch to a 4.9 starred eatery in Teluk Kumbar that is known for its Nasi Kandar.

Compensation (Pampasan)

Alludes to the allocation of funds, equipment, boat and engine upgrades, and other benefits provided to compensate local fishing communities directly or indirectly affected by the land reclamation project. These are separate from the monthly allowance of RM300 that the local fishermen receive in cash handouts from the Penang government.

Did you know?

In January 2025, the Penang government announced the completion of RM11.8mil ex-gratia payments to eligible and registered fishermen under the Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) for the land reclamation project. The eligible fishermen are divided into level one and level two fishermen: the former includes four areas directly affected by the project (Permatang Tepi Laut, Sungai Batu, Teluk Kumbar and Gertak Sanggul), while the latter includes five areas indirectly affected by the reclamation works (Teluk Tempoyak, Batu Maung, Seri Jerejak, Pulau Betong and Kuala Sungai Burung.

Level one skippers and fishermen crew received RM20,000 and RM12,960 respectively, while level two skippers and crew received RM 13,200 and RM5,400 respectively.

Additionally, level one fishermen were given 27-feet boats equipped with 90/100-horsepower engines and presented with other benefits such as enrolment in training and educational programmes and alternative job opportunities.

(Source)

https://penanginstitute.org/publications/issues/1005-penang-s-aquaculture-industry-holds-great-economic-potential/

(Source)

Themes: Commerce, Society

Fish Farms (Ladang ikan)

An alternative source of income suggested by the government. However, they are both expensive and difficult to manage due to issues in maintaining water quality and oxygen levels, and ensuring a sufficient supply of food for the entire fish farm. As of January 2025, a few have been established in Teluk Tempoyak, near Jerejak Island and in Batu Kawan, near Aman Island.

Did you know?

Fish farms have a poor reputation among customers due to the lower quality of produce. The fishermen have attempted to start a fish farm in the past but it ended up being too costly for them.

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