GEORGE TOWN: Expect to pay more for exotic fish such as grouper at Chinese restaurants despite the end of the recent festive period.
This is because most fish farmers have only started replenishing their stocks following the huge demand for must-have items that symbolise “abundance” during Chinese New Year (CNY).
Fish breeder Kenny Lee, 35, said there is a shortage of Tiger groupers in the market, hence the price hike.
He said this fish, which usually costs RM60 per kg, was now RM75 per kg in restaurants.
“The fish was harvested during (CNY). Restaurants (bought) most of it as it is a popular choice for festive menus.
“Orders started pouring in about a week before the festival and most farmers had not bred a lot in the past due to the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic over the past few years.
“The juveniles would need at least a year or more to grow, so expect slightly higher prices in the market due to the shortage,” said Lee, who rears mostly Tiger groupers at his farm in Teluk Bahang.
Sungai Udang Fishermen unit chief Khor Hai Khean, whose association has 490 fishermen with about 300 boats, said there will be a lower supply of fish until the next fishing season that starts in April.
“Water levels and tides are low now, causing a higher outflow of freshwater into the sea and fish swimming further out from the coast.
“From April or May onwards, the tides would be higher and fishermen would be able to catch more fish that come inshore,” he said.
For ikan kembung (mackerel), which can only be caught at sea, Seberang Perai Fishermen Association chairman Mahadi Rodzi said there has been a shortage for months.
“For the past four months, fishermen who operate within three and four nautical miles from shore have been returning with a poor catch of kembung.
“Sometimes, they don’t even want to go out to sea, as it would mean working at a loss as they only return with 10kg to 15kg of kembung.
“We are waiting for the (fishing) season. Hopefully, fishermen will recover by coming back with between 200kg and 300kg of kembung per trip.
“We also hope that the price of kembung will be sustained at about RM15 per kg to ensure their affordability and help fishermen recoup their losses over the months,” he said, adding that the season for kembung is from May to September.