A local villager sells the ‘bubuk’ at her stall in Kampung Batu Satu Fishermen’s Market.
MIRI: The use of social media like Facebook and WhatsApp is now more far-reaching than ever before, in that these applications can even help local fishermen find locations offshore that have bountiful supply of ‘bubuk’ (krill shrimps).
According to Daud Lamat, a fisherman from Kampung Pulau Melayu here, many of them (fishermen) own smartphones and have WhatsApp groups. Whenever one of them spots an area with a large presence of ‘bubuk’, he would notify others about it.
“Social media have indeed made our lives a bit easier,” he told The Borneo Post here yesterday.
Daud and his fellow fishermen are now enjoying the ‘bubuk’ season, where a kilogramme of the catch can fetch up to RM7.
Typically, the annual ‘bubuk’ season here is between February and April.
The ‘bubuk’ is the primary ingredient in ‘belacan’ (local shrimp paste) and also ‘cincalok’ (fermented bubuk).
“During this season, we fishermen can only get between four and five hours of sleep as we spend most of our time inside our boats.
“But this is our livelihood, and we must take advantage of the abundance supply of ‘bubuk’ this time around,” said Daud, observing that every time the fishermen arrive at the fish markets in Kampung Batu Satu in Lutong, Kampung Piasau Utara, Kampung Luak, and Kampung Kuala Bakam, there are already long lines of customers eagerly waiting to get their basketfuls of krill shrimps.
A fisherman brings a bucket full of ‘bubuk’ onshore at Batu Satu Lutong Beach.
According to Daud, the ‘bubuk’ caught in the waters off here is known to make the best ‘belacan’ and ‘cincalok’.
Meanwhile, the Marine Fisheries Department has issued its reminder for all fishermen to follow strictly all the regulations relating to their operations.
“We are happy that the fishermen are enjoying great catch this season, but they must also observe strictly the dos and don’ts.
“We assure the fishermen community of our support, relating to the proper methods of catching the ‘bubuk’, which aims to preserve ample supply of catch and ensure that the marine life would continue be bountiful,” said a department spokesperson.