Pangandaran's fishermen count the cost of tsunami

Friday, July 21, 2006
Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Pangandaran, Ciamis

Even in dangerous times, fishermen find the sea to be their sanctuary, the place they understand best. As a torrent of water built ominously off Pangandaran beach Monday, many fishermen rushed to their boats and headed out to sea.

"I knew that the tsunami would break onshore, so I hurried to sea. Nothing happened in the middle of the sea, except for slightly higher waves than usual," Ateng said as he untangled nets on the western shore, the center of the tourism in the resort.

The 35-year-old's family was safe, but one of his two boats was destroyed. His livelihood, and of many other fishermen along the southwestern coast, is threatened.
It was cruel timing, because the fishermen were enjoying good catches after a long period of scarcity. It struck during the dry season, one of the most productive periods for fishermen, who save up for the inevitable leaner times ahead.

Memed, who sets sail from the eastern stretch of shore, said the last five months were tough for fishermen.

"But this month had been good. There were signs of shrimp everywhere, and plenty of fish," he said.

The sad, exhausted-looking 47-year-old stood by his ruined boat air with the air reeking from the destroyed fish auction center nearby.

Shortly before the tsunami, he withdrew some of his savings to pay for gas and the boat service. Now he is counting his losses, after a boat and 10 nets were destroyed.
A boat costs at least Rp 18 million (US$1,900), with the vessel itself accounting for Rp 8 million, and the machine Rp 10 million.

Dadang fared even worse; he lost two boats and 35 nets, each of which costs Rp 700,000. He is thankful that his family and their home was safe, although he suffered a slight foot injury carrying a friend to receive medical attention.

"They had been good days for fishing. A few months ago, we were lucky to get Rp 100,000, which was barely enough because we need at least Rp 50,000 to go fishing. But these past few weeks, we could earn Rp 300,000 to Rp 500,000 a day."

The 26-year-old's three siblings also lost their kiosks by the beach. Luckily, the kiosks were closed that Monday as they wanted to take a break after the busy school holiday that ended Sunday.

The fishermen's families are now living in tents in the hills of nearby villages. The fishermen come down during the day to scour the shore for anything that is salvageable.

"Aid? We've just got food, because my family lives near an aid post. But I haven't eaten since this morning," Dadang said.

Many fishing villages were destroyed, he said, like Batu Hiu, Bojong Salawe, Batu Karas, Legok Jawa and Cipatujah.

"I hope the government will help us so that we could go back to sea again," he said.
Memed noted that catches were most abundant from August to September.

"It's then that we need to save up our money for the long term. That's how fishermen do things. We can earn more than a civil servant in one period, but get nothing in another," he said, adding that he would immediately go back to sea after the situation was declared safe.

Meanwhile, Ateng plans to spend three months at his parents' home in nearby Kalipucang.

"Even if I fished, who would buy them?" he said.

Labels: tsunami

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