Income via 'bamboo shells' from high tide phenomenon

A resident, Jani Khamis, 44, said many of the shells were found buried in the sand around the beach.

"They were brought in by huge waves before being embedded in the sand. The bamboo shells are only visible when the sea water recedes far out to sea.

"This is the time we will see a lot of bamboo shell holes in the surface of the sand," he told Bernama here today.

He said bamboo shell collectors could get a good income.

"I start collecting the shells during low tide, that is between 2pm and 4pm and sell them for between RM10 and RM18 per kilo. This time (during the high tide), I was able to get between three and five kilos of bamboo shells a day," said the fisherman.

For Amran Khalis, 32, an orang asli from Tanjung Sepat, the bamboo shell appearance translates into quick cash for family expenses.

He said apart from selling them to local residents, there was also a high demand for the shells by seafood restaurants and other eateries within Kuala Langat.

"A variety of dishes or curry can be prepared from the shells. It can also be boiled with salt or other seasoning additives," he said.

Amran said searching and collecting the shells was also fun as the beach would be filled with many people.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Mat, 55, a resident of Kampung Sungai Buaya said the shell was rare and expensive and as such, when the opportunity presented itself, the residents would cook and eat them.