"Miserable and pitiful," muttered Mr Timothy Ng as he watched a pile of fish thrash about at the bottom of his kelong's net one late afternoon in October.
It was yet another poor catch, a problem that has persisted for years. "All three sections of the net, there's nothing there to talk about," said the 76-year-old.
The 4kg or so of "trash fish" - those unfit for the table - would be given to a nearby fish farm to supplement fish feed, said Mr Ng, who bought the kelong and an adjacent floating fish farm in 2004.
"In the past, several times a year, we would get 1 tonne of trash fish in the net," he said.
"Those were exciting moments. Once, we got nearly 2 tonnes of a black dory and we didn't know what to do with it. Fortunately, somebody took it to Malaysia to be turned into fish food," he said. At other times, several barrels worth of ikan bilis were hauled in, each barrel weighing about 50kg.
The kelong's catches were previously used to supplement feed for cultured fish in Mr Ng's floating fish farm, where he reared sea bass, red snappers and hybrid groupers.
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin November 13, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin November 13, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
South Korea's defence ministry denies preferential treatment for BTS' V
South Korea's Ministry of National Defence has refuted claims that V, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, received preferential treatment while serving in the military.
K-actor Jung Woo-sung admits to fathering model Moon Ga-bi's child
South Korean actor Jung Woo-sung, 51, admitted on Nov 24 that he is the father of South Korean model Moon Ga-bi's child.
Chuck Woolery was the first host of Wheel Of Fortune
Chuck Woolery (right), the affable host of Love Connection, Wheel Of Fortune and other television game shows in the United States, who later criticized liberal values and the US Democratic Party as the co-host of a popular right-wing podcast, died on Nov 23 at his home in Texas. He was 83.
Sole Singaporean contestant Yang Yan eliminated
Idol survival reality show Starlight Boys
Spotlight on two female-directed movies in India
Laapataa Ladies and All We Imagine As Light might have a shot at winning Academy Awards, a rare prospect for the country
For diamond shoppers, yet another choice to make – natural or man-made?
With Thanksgiving marking the unofficial start of engagement season - late November through Valentine's Day is when marriage proposals are common - ring buying is top of mind for many couples considering marriage.
Culture and cuisine in Hanoi
Visit the Vietnamese capital's Opera House and sample offerings from Michelin-starred chefs in Senses of Capella
BUDGET TIPS FOR FAMILY TRIPS
Going abroad? Here are five money-saving hacks for the holidays with your nearest and dearest
How the late Arthur Frommer inspired travellers to 'just do it'
In the 1980s, when I planned my first trip to Europe, I cannot remember which Frommer's travel guidebook I took along.
Tension, pressure, nerve, genius: At the chess c'ship, the wait is worth it
For all the flow of action, all sport involves varied acts of waiting. We wait for the goal in football, the shooter to fire between heartbeats, a snarling Rafael Nadal to uppercut the air in delight.
