sungai muar a haven for anglers

THE upstreams of Sungai Muar in Muar are a haven for anglers.

FINE FISHING: Certain stretches of Sungai Muar, such as at Anjung Batu, Lenga, Jorak, Penchu, Kundang Ulu, Pengkalan Kota and Gerisek, are favourite fishing grounds for anglers.

And the upstreams are not as shallow, murky and polluted as claimed by anglers, said Kampung Pengkalan Kota security and development committee (JKKK) chairman Anuar Hamzah.

"Certain stretches of the river such as at Anjung Batu, Lenga, Jorak, Penchu, Kundang Ulu, Pengkalan Kota, Temiang, Parit Jarum Laut, Panchor and Gerisek are still favourite fishing grounds for anglers as the river is rich with fish, prawns and even lobsters."

Lobsters, which could fetch up to RM60 per kg in the market, can be caught easily after downpour or during the monsoon season.

There are rare fish species such as duri, baung, lais and tapah at the tributaries of Sungai Muar. These fishes have a good market.

For the benefit of anglers, the State Department of Irrigation and Drainage has built a jetty at the upstream of Sungai Muar.

Anuar said as more anglers fished in the river, the locals were able to make money by providing rentals of fishing equipment and boat.

The locals also sell food and drinks, and work as fishing guides.

"We hope to work with the local government, relevant departments, private companies and also non-governmental organisations to organise fishing competitions to encourage more anglers to come to Muar."

To prove that the tributaries are abundant with lobsters and are not polluted, a lobster fishing competition was held last Saturday.

SOURCE: JOHOR BUZZ, NEW STRAITS TIMES, 9 DECEMBER 2008