Malaysia: Johor fishermen irked over reclamation

New Straits Times 10 Nov 14;

JOHOR BARU: Reclamation works which are being carried out extensively at the mouth of six rivers at the Plentong basin here have narrowed the navigational path of some 3,000 fishermen and prevented them from going out to sea.

Reclamation works at Sungai Permas Besar, Sungai Permas Kecil, Sungai Batang, Sungai Pak Kolob, Sungai Plentong and Sungai Agas started since April this year.

Faced with the problem of dwindling catch over the years, the narrowed navigational path had put the fishermen at risk and severely affected their livelihood, forcing them to stage a peaceful protest at Kampung Senibong here yesterday.

The fishermen from 15 villages claimed their catch had plunged by 50 per cent. State Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Committee chairman Ismail Mohamad said they would investigate, including claims that the parties involved had reclaimed more than what was
stated in the agreement.