Earth Hour Malaysia » Climate Witness: Chris Kong

Climate Witness: Chris Kong

Chris Kong is 57 years old and has been living in Kudat town in Sabah for the past 35 years. He has worked as a seaman, teacher and customs officer before becoming a crab fisherman. As the owner of a crab fishing company, he has boats that harvest blue swimmer crabs during the south-west monsoon season and has been in the business for the last 10 years.

Over the years, Chris has noticed changes in the length of time that the monsoon blew. The monsoon arrives later and for a shorter season. Now when the winds and rains do come during the monsoon, the rainfall is a lot stronger and more intense. Changes in the monsoon seasons have also affected the volume of his crab harvest.

When the monsoon blows from mid August to November, the strong winds and currents bring the blue swimmer crabs from the South China Sea to Kudat. It is only during this period that adult-sized crabs are present in Kudat waters. Chris believes that because of changes in the monsoon season and the short period that it blows, not as many blue crabs swim these days to Kudat from the South China Sea.

Watch Video: Play to hear Chris talk about how the changes in monsoon has affected his crab fishing