Jelutong Fishermen Wharf ("Dove Jetty")

Jelutong Fishermen Wharf (25 May 2012)


Jelutong Fishermen Wharf (GPS: 5.38833, 100.31943) is one of the makeshift piers along the coast in Jelutong, Penang. It is often called "Dove Jetty", particularly among local photography enthusiasts, as it is located off the Harmony Fly Sculpture depicting not doves but seagulls along the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway. It was erected by the coastal fishermen to moor their fishing boats. On the wharf are a number of huts where the fishermen keep their nets, fish tanks, basket and other equipment.

Inshore fishermen have been building piers along the coast of Jelutong for as long as the island was inhabited. Before Jelutong urbanized, the area was a stretch of mangrove forest covering the entire coast from Jelutong to Batu Maung. Perhaps the only break in the mangrove is at Batu Uban.

Jelutong Fishermen Wharf on Google Street View

Jelutong Fisherman Wharf (25 May 2012)
© Timothy Tye (CY) using this photo

The urban sprawl of George Town has since cleared much of the mangrove forests along the east coast of Penang Island, although in areas left untouched, the mangroves return with a vengance. This can be seen at the Sungai Pinang estuary. Piers such as the Jelutong Fishermen Wharf allows the fisherfolks to reach their boats during low tides.

Today, as the coastline of Jelutong continues to be develop, the fishermen piers of the area may well see their days numbered.

Jelutong Fishermen Wharf is on the map of Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway