Third generation continues legacy as oyster divers in Muar
06 Nov 2022 11:17am
Image for illustrative purposes only - FILE PIX
A
A
A
The oysters found in the Muar River are believed to be among the highest quality in the world, and fishermen there still use traditional methods and techniques to collect them, which is to dive into the river with no breathing apparatus.
One of them, Zainal Yahya, 68, said fishermen in Muar had been diving into Muar River, near Pengkalan Tiram, about two kilometres from Bandar Muar, to collect oysters since 1858.
The third-generation of oyster diver said that in 1908, his late grandfather, Yep Pantas, would dive six to nine metres deep to the riverbed to collect the oysters as a source of income for the family.
"As a child, I was amazed to see my father doing this challenging activity by holding his breath and just using his bare hands to detect the presence of oysters in the muddy riverbed, and I challenged myself to also be able to do the same,” he said when met by Bernama at Pangkalan Tiram here.
According to Zainal, he was 12 years old when he started following his father to the river and was taught how to dive and stay in the river without any breathing apparatus.
"He taught me how to hold my breath for one to two minutes at the bottom of the river during low tide, and I have passed the skill to my son, Azmi Zainal, 36,” he said.
Before diving into the river, Zainal said, he would poke a 10-metre stick into the riverbed from the boat and then go down into the river by holding to the stick to ensure he would not be swept away.
"Even when groping with my bare hands to search for the oysters on the riverbed, my legs will remain clinging to the stick.
"I will continue this legacy of oyster diving and hope the activity will be passed on from generation to generation,” he said, adding that at one time, there were nearly 50 oyster divers at Pangkalan Tiram, but now there are only eight people, aged between 24 and 69, doing the job.
He said diving for oysters is not an easy job.
"It requires energy and the person has to be strong to be able to stay down at the riverbed with no breathing apparatus. Sometimes the pressure and strong current can cause the ears or nose to bleed. This is one of the challenges, besides having to deal with poisonous creatures, like the jellyfish,” he said.
Zainal said there are two types of oysters found in Sungai Muar, one with grey-brown flesh and the other is with creamy white flesh, which is highly demanded and exported to Singapore.
An experience he would never forget was when he was chosen to look for oysters in Sungai Muar behind Istana Hinggap Muar, Jalan Petri, to be served to the royal family.
"It was in 1967. I was excited and happy. An estimated six kilogrammes of oysters were sent to the palace,” he added.
On the price of the oysters, he said, fresh oyster flesh is sold for about RM50 per kilogramme.
On Nov 4 last year, the media reported that research conducted between Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Queen's University Belfast, found that the Crassostrea (Magallana) saidii oyster species, also known as the white oyster, is only found at the estuary of Muar River. - BERNAMA
