KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — Chinese New Year isn’t for another 11 weeks, but several fishermen’s associations from around the country have advised consumers to start stocking up on seafood if they want to enjoy it for their reunion feasts.

According to The Star, Sekinchan Fishermen and Fish Traders Welfare Association Chia Choon Theng said unpredictable weather is making it difficult for fishermen to consistently go out to sea with their deep-sea trawlers.

Their frequency has dropped from weekly trips to once every two weeks or even once a month. A trip with a deep-sea trawler usually takes five to seven days.

The silver coloured and diamond shaped Chinese Pomfret, also known as Bawal Tambak or Dao Chong in Cantonese, is highly prized during Chinese New Year and difficult to find now — and fishermen are warning that it might become scarcer in the coming months.

Penang fishmonger Oh Puey Ping, 28, said Chinese Pomfret can only be caught when there are fast-flowing currents during the spring tides of around the new and full moon, which leaves fishermen with only about six trips before the Chinese New Year.

"The small ones can go for RM60 per kg now and (fish that are above) 600g (can sell for) about RM80 per kg.

"During Chinese New Year, it can go up to between RM100 and RM150 per kg in some places,” the fishmonger told The Star at the Taman Sahabat market in Teluk Kumbar.

On the other hand, Penang’s Seberang Prai Fishermen Association chairman Mahadi Md Rodzi said Chinese Pomfret can no longer be found in markets.

"Many fishermen have contracts with restaurants, which means if we catch them, they go to the restaurants first.

"You need a different net for pomfrets. They are not easy to catch and you have to wait a long time after setting out the nets,” he was quoted as saying.

The same is happening in Pahang, Deepsea Fishermen Association chairman Mohd Yusery Mohd Yusoff urged consumers to start stocking up on their favourite seafood to avoid high prices when the dangerous storms at the end of the year makes fishing more difficult.

"The weather is unstable right now, so anyone wanting their favourite festive dishes should start stocking up now.

"Otherwise, tiger prawns that cost around RM60 to RM70 per kg now may go up to RM150 or more later,” he said.