MUAR OYSTER DIVERS A DYING BREED

Whereas many traditions are nonetheless thriving, some are liable to dying out.

Within the aquaculture sector, oyster diving in Muar River –  Muar’s distinguished landmark – is categorised as a sundown vocation with lower than a dozen oyster divers in the present day.

Muar oysters are believed to be among the many highest high quality on the earth and are extremely wanted by seafood lovers particularly amongst Singaporeans. The fishermen right here nonetheless use the normal methodology to gather them, which is to dive into the river with no respiratory equipment.

 The custom, which has been introduced down from previous generations is shedding its lustre as oyster divers have aged and solely a handful of younger individuals taking on the bodily taxing and harmful work which calls for nice energy and endurance.

On the first light, there are males at work, braving the weather. Amid the recent morning breeze blowing throughout the sky, Muhammad Nashrul Nizam Abu Rani, 22, is already at Kampung Pangkalan Tilam jetty as early as 6 am to watch the water situation earlier than preparing for a day’s work as an oyster diver along with a number of others whose livelihoods depend on oysters.

Wearing t-shirt and observe pants, Muhammad Nashrul Nizam and a number of other different divers started to start out their day by transferring in direction of the shoals (Iong and slim ridges), a stone’s throw from the jetty, to hunt for oysters on the river backside.

“That is our every day routine as oyster divers and there’s no fastened time for work, solely when the water is calm (between excessive and low tide) and it isn’t very easy to find out the water strain. Oyster divers can simply discover themselves in harmful conditions when diving in sturdy present, particularly after we acquire oysters by diving within the riverbed utilizing the normal methodology,” he informed Bernama, as he adjusted his goggles on his head.

Backside river oyster farming on the estuary of the Muar River is a well-known heritage, introduced down by previous generations during the last 100 years, with the normal methodology nonetheless practised to this present day by the oyster divers at Kampung Pangkalan Tilam, about 1.5 kilometres from Muar, often known as Bandar Maharani.

Previously, many fishermen have been interested in oyster catching to generate revenue in comparison with life as fishermen on condition that Muar River is understood for its white oysters or scientifically known as Crassostrea (Magallana) saidii species. Analysis has proven that these delicate, juicy and white creamy oysters are solely discovered on the estuary of Muar River.

Nevertheless, regardless of the continuation of those traditions, the variety of oyster divers is dwindling as most of the “previous palms” who’re enfeebled with age, not exit to work, whereas different have since died. 

 “It’s not simple to be an oyster diver because it requires the power, and he needs to be sturdy and extremely expert to have the ability to keep down on the riverbed. This isn’t a job for the faint-hearted with quite a few challenges, and solely the fittest will survive,” he stated.

   “This explains why in the present day’s youthful technology should not interested in oyster diving; lower than 10 are actively concerned with solely a handful like me are youth.

“I don’t know for a way lengthy (I can work as an oyster diver), however I’m dedicated to defending this legacy for future generations,” stated Muhammad Nashrul Nizam, who began working as an oyster diver after finishing his type 5 training.

 RISK OF DYING OUT

Regardless of his five-year expertise as an oyster diver, Muhammad Nashrul Nizam nonetheless has the jitters each time he dives deep to the riverbed to gather oysters to offer revenue for his household.

That is due to the potential threat of drowning whereas gathering oysters beneath, with divers having to dive six to 9 metres deep into the river mattress.

There’s a threat of the 6.1 metre-long mangrove wood pole that’s piled into the riverbed subsequent to the boat, would collapse when divers dive down adjoining to the wooden and decide up oysters on the riverbed by hand.

The strategy of utilizing the lengthy poles to information them down and up the oyster mattress is inherited from their ancestors because the nineteenth century to keep away from from being swept away by the present.

 “Not all of us together with myself can swim and that’s the explanation why our legs are wrapped across the pole as we dive down into the river as we search for oysters and acquire them by hand to be crammed in a bicycle basket that’s manned by different divers.

“In a fast-flowing river, we worry that we’re unable to steadiness our physique whereas clinging on to the pole as we threat being swept away whereas the strain and powerful present trigger our ears or nostril to bleed apart from having to take care of toxic creatures together with the jellyfish,” he stated.

Regardless of working full time as an oyster diver, he has but to amass the talents of holding his breath below water for not less than 4 to 6 minutes as different skilled divers.

 For each dive, he can maintain his breath below water for one to 2 minutes solely and would then resurface to catch his breath earlier than diving again into the river.

And, for each endeavour, which takes about three to 4 hours a day, he is ready to acquire not lower than 90 oysters, to be offered to middlemen in addition to restaurant operators from the district for RM2 every.

 “International vacationers are additionally attracted by the normal methodology used and whereas right here, they’re given a hands-on expertise at oyster diving with this exercise producing an alternate revenue for us.

 “Nevertheless, the youthful teams particularly these from the village right here should not on this area, and my concern is that if we fail to retain a brand new technology of oyster divers, this oyster diving exercise may vanish sooner or later, ‘ he stated.

 MUAR’S RARE OYSTER SPECIES

Muar River’s white oysters are excessive in demand amongst oyster lovers because the recent oysters will be eaten with no squeeze of lemon juice in comparison with Crasssotrea belcheri (Axe Oyster) species. The axe oyster species has a broad shell whereas the meat is gray, brown.

The analysis collaboration between Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Queen’s College Belfast confirmed that the white species from Muar River isn’t present in different components of the world.

 The analysis findings in addition to comparative information carried out by researchers with collections of oyster associated information present in museums in Europe and species present in Asia, discovered no DNA data much like white oysters within the estuary of the Muar River.

The species caught the eye of Dr Nur Leena Wong from the Worldwide Institute of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences (I-AQUAS), UPM and fellow researcher from Queen’s College Belfast, Dr Julia Sigwart who have been shocked that after greater than 160 years of the oyster being identified and harvested commercially on the estuary of the Muar River, it nonetheless had no scientific title.

 In actual fact, the oyster was as soon as a delicacy reserved for the royals and high-ranking officers and later exported to Singapore within the early 1900s.

The oyster species was named Crassostrea (Magallana) saidii in recognition of the efforts of a Muar resident, Md Saidi Mohamed, for selling analysis and conservation of the species since 2013.

The white oyster, often known as premium species, is believed to be among the many world’s 10 greatest marine life species.

“In actual fact, recent, white oysters are extremely wanted by oyster fans and are normally served at main inns and luxurious seafood eating places,” stated Nasir Kassim, who has been working as an oyster diver during the last twenty years since he was 16 years previous.

The daddy of three additionally shared that there’s issue in attracting the youthful technology to be concerned on this financial exercise which has been introduced down from previous generations.

Sharing his expertise, Nasir stated he as soon as tried to breed the white oysters in different state, however was met with failure when solely two out of 10 oyster seeds sown, survived.

It’s because the oysters feed on plankton (a various assortment of organisms in water that present the bottom for your entire marine meals net), and they aren’t present in different rivers besides the Muar River.

 Moreover that, research carried out by Nur Leena and Julia discovered that the white oyster solely lives within the estuary of the Muar River with a water salinity vary of eight to 25 components per thousand (ppt) and it can’t stay in seawater.

 ONLY IN MUAR RIVER

Noting that oyster diving isn’t a straightforward job, Nasir nevertheless harboured hopes that the youthful individuals would take up the problem by filling the void left by the older technology by persevering with with the custom.

 “With out the subsequent technology of oyster divers persevering with this legacy, its inhabitants may also vanish because the species, which is very wanted by oyster lovers, can’t stay elsewhere.

 As we speak, lower than 10 oyster divers stay on this occupation. Lots of them are third or fourth technology inheriting their oyster diving expertise from their forefathers. The oldest among the many divers are 70 years of age with the bulk aged 50 and above. The oyster inhabitants has been on the decline and oyster diving is not seen as a profitable occupation.  

“I perceive this isn’t a straightforward job because it requires the energy and resilience by diving to the riverbed to gather oysters with our naked palms in a fast-flowing river however one thing have to be achieved in order that this job is not going to die out, maybe, with steady coaching, emphasis on safety facets in addition to wider publicity on the occupation,” stated Nasir.

One other oyster diver, Abdul Rani Bahari, 57, who has been within the occupation over the previous 17 years, stated one must grasp the technical expertise in diving.

On the similar time, some mother and father additionally discouraged their youngsters from pursuing this profession as a result of excessive dangers concerned, whereas many job seekers choose to work within the metropolis quite than within the kampung.

”They (job seekers) ought to have the dedication, if others can do it, why can’t we. My very own son (Muhammad Nashrul Nizam) is working on this area however my recommendation to him: you’re your individual boss and also you’re free to create your individual schedules; you simply work two hours a day, after that you simply’re free to take up different jobs,” stated Abdul Rani.

Given his age, Abdul Rani now works collectively together with his son in gathering oysters, noting that the job turns into simpler after they get to share the workload corresponding to making ready the lengthy wood poles, controlling the engine, in addition to diving for oysters, therefore decreasing the dangers related to the occupation.

EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Of concern is the unfavourable affect of local weather change on the diving group, who’re closely depending on oyster catches as a significant supply of livelihood.  Local weather change is discovered to have elevated dangers for such actions, particularly throughout floods.

Recalling the most important floods which hit Segamat in 2016, Abdul Syukor Bahrom, 57, stated the catastrophe had affected oyster divers on the Muar River after they weren’t in a position to catch oysters.

“Throughout the main floods, 100 per cent of the oysters have died and there was no new progress as no seeds have been sown. We may hardly search for oysters then however after two years, these marine creatures began to breed on the riverbed.

 “Nevertheless, early this yr one other main flood inundated Segamat with 85 per cent of oysters estimated to have died. Our oyster catching actions are normally disrupted each time a significant flood happens,” he stated.

The heavy flooding, stated Abdul Syukor who has been engaged in oyster diving for over 10 years, proved lethal for most of the shellfish. Oysters thrive in barely saline water – any imbalance in that setting can harm their well being and even wipe them out.

These oysters want brackish water for survival and this case has triggered them to die or the oyster meat to vary its color, which exhibits that the oysters have been contaminated and are not recent for consumption.

“Throughout floods, the oyster inhabitants declines, therefore the oyster catches are additionally decreased. Then again, hundreds of oysters have been collected every day throughout non-flood seasons. Amongst others, the sedimentation course of or the non permanent deposition of tremendous sediments after the floods additionally triggered the oysters to die,” he defined.

In direction of this finish, I-AQUAS researchers are at present working to extend the oyster inhabitants by an aquaculture method.

Nur Leena, who’s among the many researchers, was quoted to have stated, the main target of the analysis now’s on the seeding of oysters by the aquaculture method to breed them.

The analysis was additionally carried out to determine probably the most appropriate water high quality and salinity price of the water for breeding the white oyster or premium oyster.

 “The conservation of this small inhabitants of oysters is important to make sure its sustainability,” she added.

 Translated by Salbiah Mentioned

— BERNAMA 

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