Fishing in troubled waters

KUANTAN: The floods bring discomfort to many but some find it the right time to 'fish in troubled waters'. Literally.
One such person is Rosli Baharom, 53, of Bukit Sagu. Every time the floods strike, Rosli casts his net wide in the floodwaters.
He and his son, Afandi, 24, then sell the bountiful haul of fish at a stall in Kampung Pandan along Jalan Sungai Lembing.
"Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), this year I am able to earn RM200 from the sale of various kinds of freshwater fish. It helps with the family income," he said to Bernama.
The lampam, lampam jawa, potok and sebarau fish that he catches fetch between RM10 and RM15/kg.
"I cast as many nets as I can in the evening and haul in the catch the next morning. The fish usually come from the plantation areas affected by the floods," he said.
Siti Aisyah Man, 52, of Bukit Setongkol, who loves the lampam fish, buys Rosli's catch in bulk.
"It is difficult to get this type of fish because it breeds in the upper reaches of rivers. When there is a flood, the fish is driven downstream," she said.
Siti Aisyah makes singgang, lemak cili api or pekasam with the fish.
Mohd Salahudin Abdullah, 68, trades in the fish caught during the floods, buying from a third party and selling them mainly to acquaintances. He makes a profit of RM5/kg by selling the fish for RM20/kg.
"I buy from friends who have the means to catch the fish, such as fibre boats and outboard engines. As such, the prices of the fish I sell are a little higher," he said.
The rainy season brings fortune not only in terms of fish.
Traders Mohd Gani Ariffin, 48, and Mohd Rezuan, 33, are able to earn extra income by selling tapioca at their stall along Jalan Kuantan-Pekan near Kampung Gudang Rasau.
They sell the tapioca for RM4/kg or RM10 for three kilograms.
"In three days, we have been able to earn RM600. If we can sustain this business, our income will be much higher than the government employees," said Mohd Gani in jest. – Bernama