Weather Downtime and its Effect on Fishing Operation in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Kertas kerja ini membentangkan hasil kajian mengenai kesan cuaca ke atas industri perikanan di Semenanjung Malaysia. Kajian ini dilakukan dengan tujuan untuk menentukan perhubungan yang jelas antara operasi menangkap ikan dan cuaca terutama di musim tengkujuh. Kertas kerja ini difokuskan kepada corak ombak dan angin dan kesannya ke atas kebolehoperasian bot perikanan, tangkapan, kesediaadaan dan harga ikan. Kesan ke atas aktiviti nelayan dan pendapatan akibat cuaca buruk juga dibincangkan. Keputusan yang diperolehi menunjukkan pertalian rapat antara cuaca dan operasi menangkap ikan dan seterusnya pendapatan nelayan. Kajian ini juga menyimpulkan bahawa kesan cuaca lebih ketara bagi nelayan Pantai Timur berbanding nelayan Pantai Barat. Kata kunci: Kesan cuaca, bot perikanan, operasi perikanan, tengkujuh This paper presents the results of a study of the effect of weather downtime on the fishing industry in Peninsular Malaysia. The study was carried out with the aim of establishing a clearer relationship between weather and fishing operation, especially during monsoon season. This paper focused on the wind and wave pattern and their effects on fishing boat operability, fish landing, fish availability, and price. The effect on the fishermen activity and income as a result of the weather down time was also discussed. The result of the study has indicated that there is a close relationship between weather and fishing operation as well as fishermen’s income. The study also concluded that weather has been significantly affecting the East Coast fishermen compared with their West Coast counterparts. Key words: Weather downtime, fishing boats, fishing operation, monsoon