JOHOR BARU: A breakwater built not far from Pulau Kukup and Tanjung Piai three years ago has reduced the devastating impact of erosion, much to the relief of coastal fishermen in south Johor.

       South Johor Fishermen Association chairman Azli Mohd Aziz said the coastline along Gelang Patah up until Kukup had been badly hit by strong waves, resulting in erosion over many years.

       “But the situation is slightly improving as the 3km breakwater built by the authorities, near the Pulau Kukup and Tanjung Piai fisherman’s jetty, has helped protect the coastline there.

       “It not only helps protect the coastline but ensures we can still earn a living,” he said.

       Azli added that the coastal erosion in the two areas was rather bad and the strong waves had even destroyed and uprooted mangrove trees, which would end up snarling fishing nets.

       There are about 2,500 coastal fishermen in south Johor and their fishing areas within 10 nautical miles cover Tanjung Piai, Iskandar Puteri, Pulai, Johor Baru, Pasir Gudang and Tebrau.

       Meanwhile, Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute Singapore visiting fellow Dr Serina Rahman said the erosion occurred as a result of strong waves and storms.

       “But in Tanjung Piai, the heavy presence of huge vessels passing through the Strait of Melaka also creates waves that have an impact on the shore,” she added.

       Dr Serina urged the authorities to take care of natural habitats found along the coastline as this could protect the shore from erosion.

       She said that if seagrass areas were not dredged and mangrove forests were not cut, then there would be natural protection against strong waves and extreme weather.

       “The sea level is already rising, as can be seen in Kukup and Tanjung Kupang, where the tides are getting higher.

       “Man-made engineered solutions can never truly withstand the wrath of nature ... a structure such as a breakwater is merely temporary.

       “The best nature-based solution is a natural habitat.

       “Long mudflats, mangrove coasts, seagrass meadows – all of these break up or lessen the impact of waves and prevent erosion on shore,” she added.

       In MELAKA, the state government acknowledged that climate change was among the factors that had caused erosion along Pantai Puteri.

       State housing, local government and environment committee chairman Datuk Zaidi Attan said allocations had been set aside for remedial works at the beach.

       “Climate change is among the factors that have affected the coastal area; it’s not just due to marine reclamation works,” he said when asked to comment on claims by local fishermen that human activities had contributed to the severe beach erosion.

       The effects on the beachfront were evident in November 2018 when 10 decade-old trees and streetlight posts crumbled. Locals then alleged the erosion was caused by sea reclamation works.

       Two years later, the Consumers Association of Penang urged the state government to take immediate action to overcome the coastal erosion problem.

       Jaringan Pengkalan Fishermen Association head Azmi Leman said he hopes the state government would look into the predicament of over 100 fishermen in the Pantai Puteri area.

       “We need the state to come up with a win-win formula to help the fishermen and explain whether the situation was caused by climate change or human activities,” he said, adding that the erosion had caused them to incur losses due to dwindling catches.

       “We are not against development but we need our rights to be looked into as well.”