FISH IN ABUNDANCE FOLLOWING EARTHQUAKE

JERTEH (Malaysia), Oct 8 (Bernama) -- Fishermen in east coast states of
Kelantan and Terengganu had extraordinarily plentiful fish in their nets
Wednesday, perhaps due to the recent earthquake off West Sumatra.

Director of the Eastern Region Department of Meteorology, Azmi Daud said
Thursday that it was a common phenomenon for marine fishes to be present in
extraordinary large numbers to seek shelter in safer waters when there was a
natural disaster like an undersea earthquake.

On Wednesday, fishermen in Kuala Kemasin and Pantai Senok were surprised
with their catch of up to 5,000 kilogrammes of "ikan duri" (marine catfish)
within two hours out at sea.

Mat Zin Omar, 44 said it was his biggest catch in his 15 years as a
fisherman.

"Normally, my catch is around 1,000 kilogrammes...Wednesday's was
extraordinary."

He said the fishermen in Terengganu took it as a good fortune and were
selling the marine catfish to the fish mongers at RM4.60 (US$1.35) per kg.
-- BERNAMA