Brunei’s ‘udang galah’, a colossal freshwater prawn resembling lobster, captivates fishermen and food enthusiasts alike
With Brunei’s lush ecosystem and unique biodiversity, there is also a wide variety of aquatic sea and river creatures that can be found along its coastlines and rivers.
One of them sought by fishermen and locals alike is the giant freshwater prawn, locally known as udang galah.
With its vibrant colours and remarkable size, this elusive delicacy, reminiscent of lobster has captivated the taste buds of many and is a crucial element in sustaining the fishing communities coexisting in its habitat.
Normally found thriving in the lush mangroves, pristine rivers and serene ponds across Southeast Asia, the udang galah thrives in freshwater habitats rich in vegetation and aquatic life. These prawns, scientifically known as macrobrachium rosenbergii, boast an impressive size, with some individuals reaching lengths of up to 12 inches, making them the largest freshwater prawns in the world.
The lifecycle of udang galah is a fascinating tale of transformation. From tiny larvae, they grow into juveniles, undergoing a series of moults before reaching adulthood.
As they mature, they form a hierarchy and venture into brackish and marine waters, further adding to the mystique surrounding their habits and behaviours. This elusiveness however does not deter fisherman, as many have taken up the challenge of catching these sought-after prawns, not only as a source of income but also as a hobby.
Avid fisherman Sufian bin Haji Amit started catching udang galah since his teenage years but now, he catches and grows them as a hobby and as a supplementary business.
The art of catching udang galah has been honed over generations by local fishermen, who, in collaboration with like-minded peers, have cultivated their skills through years of experience and possess a profound understanding of the prawn’s behaviour.
Beyond mastering the techniques and equipment essential for catching these elusive freshwater prawns, fishermen must also be keen observers of current and upcoming weather patterns.
Sufian emphasised, based on his experience, that udang galah exhibits a strong dependence on seasons and cycles, thereby introducing an additional layer of challenge to their capture.
“It also depends on the tide and saturation of the river water, as there needs to be a right mixture of salt and fresh water for them (the udang galah) to appear,” he continued adding that the optimal time to capture them is after rainfall.
The rainwater, he explained, serves to dilute the water’s salinity, creating an ideal condition for udang galah to freely roam and be caught.
“There are many people who are keen on catching udang galah, not only for the challenge but also to sell them as another flow of income as well as to sample them as delicacies.”
This phenomenon is not confined solely to the Belait District, as Sufian highlighted that, particularly during weekends when conditions are favourable, numerous fishermen from across various districts embark on excursions to catch udang galah in substantial numbers.
“There are also some who love to eat udang galah, though it also depends on the season as udang galah is not a cheap delicacy to enjoy so normally people would splurge for it when they get their salary.”
To meet this demand, Sufian fashioned a small tank from repurposed containers, to keep the udang galah alive, preserving their freshness for those interested in purchasing them.
“While I don’t have a lot of experience in breeding udang galah, I do also keep them when there are not enough to sell which I consolidate with my other catches to ensure that there are enough to be sold, usually around one or two kilogrammes.”
“I usually change the water once every two weeks if there is a lot of udang galah, or once every month if it is not a lot. It all depends on the water quality.”
He went on to note that there are individuals who have attempted to breed udang galah in a controlled environment.
While earlier endeavours proved unsuccessful, recent successes have been reported, with people managing to breed udang galah in homemade ponds.
“I think some of the major factors to breeding udang galah include the large space needed to breed and care for the udang galah to ensure that a mixture of fresh water, rainwater, oxygen, and nutrients are continuously maintained.”
More than just a culinary delicacy, udang galah remains an enigmatic pursuit for fishermen. The challenge lies in locating these prized prawns, which, once found, become a sought-after local delicacy enjoyed by many. – Daniel Lim
