Labour's day Pelagic off Tanjung Dawai

I make a last minute call to join Choo Eng and Dave Bakewell for a pelagic trip on anchovy's fishermen boat in Tanjung Dawai on Labour day holiday. I'm seeking any opportunity to go out to the sea since I left Pulau Tengah last November and only had the chance after nearly 6 months. After watching the Manchester derby, I left my home at 5 and it not took me long to wait for Dave and ChooEng. We arrived at Tanjung Dawai fishing port at 6.30 and the fishermens greet us with smile.

The view of the fishing port from the boat upper deck

The view of the anchovy boat

7 in the morning, we set sail to the sea - this is my first experience riding the new boat, and I found the new boat was more comfort compare to the old one - but not as comfort as the fishing boat in Mersing.

The storm is coming - despite the nice sea condition we had today, there are big cloud over Pulau Bidan and the cloud seem building up over Gunung Jerai - The first shearwater of the day was spotted at this point.

The first haul of the day - A lot of by catch capture by the fishermen today : They claim today as the weird day, by catch including Tuna, octopus, Lutjanus sp. , Mantis prawn, squid and mackerel

Not many bird came by the boat as the  fishermen launch their net, however, the bird number building up as the boat move further northeast. This including two Short-tailed Shearwater, groups of White-wing Black Tern, Bridled Tern, Common Tern and Long-tailed Skua/Jaeger.

The tubenose (real pelagic bird) of the day - Short-tailed Shearwater, local call it 'Itik Air' which mean aquatic duck. Although it use to be an unusual bird, most of fishermen in Malaysia recognize it and please with the present of this bird - They claim it as luck bringer.

A flock of Bridled Tern flew past as the boat move

Meanwhile on the boat, although the fishing had done, the fishermen continue their work in processing the anchovies - They have to boil and let it dry - those fishermen who did not conduct the boiling will sewn the damaged net and rearrange it, so it be easy for them to launch the net on the next catch.

The fishermen boiling the anchovies - build up the smell, and the smell attract 2 more shearwater.

Anchovy drying process - increase the degree of smell produced, on top is the squid, another by catch that have market potential.

Our friend, Mr. Harom prepared to release the net for the second catch - Look promising as the number of terns building up

Terns including this Bridled Tern feeding gracefully around the boat, terns number building up really quick until...

The Long-tailed Skua come and marauding them - This Skua dare to come close to the boat to get the terns catch.

After It got the tern catch it go away - move away from the boat

After the threat of Skua gone, terns coming back closer to the net to feed. This Bridled Tern seem still alert after the Skua attack.

On the second catch, a gracious tern fly toward the boat and it turn out to be an Aleutian Tern - A lifer for me. White winged Tern all seen in their breeding plumage. The fishermen satisfied with their catch and the total count of the day are:

White-winged Tern 150

Bridled Tern 100

Common Tern 60

Black-naped Tern 3

Whiskered Tern 1

Aleutian Tern 1

Long-tailed Skua 6

Short-tailed Shearwater 5

Unidentified Shearwater 1

Unidentified Skua 2

That's all for this visit, as we enter the month of May and June, I'm looking forward for more pelagic trip in Tanjung Dawai and in Pulau Sembilan in Perak. One of the fishermen share a valuable info with me - To go on with the fishermen in Langkawi as those fishermen go out longer and further. When we reach the port, I'd met someone I know from Mersing - one of Mr Mustafa boat crew, what a small world I thought, after a few friendly chat we leave. Here from the fishermen of Tanjung Dawai: 

Our Fishermen friend in Tanjung Dawai. The tagline mean 'the band of old boys'