From organising fishing expeditions to diving among coral reefs, Azizi Busman has built much of his life around the ocean. His journey reveals why the sea continues to captivate, challenge and inspire those who answer its call.
Beneath the Surface, Beyond the Catch
Most people assume fishing is all about the catch.
The anticipation of a strike. The thrill of landing a fish. The photograph that follows.
But after years spent on rivers, open waters and beneath the waves, Azizi Busman has come to see things differently.
For the angler, diver and fishing trip organiser, the sea has never been measured solely by what he brings home.
“Activities at sea are very unpredictable and always exciting because every day brings a different story and experience,” he said.
That unpredictability is what keeps drawing him back. Every trip offers something different — whether a fresh challenge, a valuable lesson or simply a new perspective.
It is also what keeps many of those who join his fishing expeditions coming back for more.
“The experience of fishing is very valuable because every trip has a different story and different memories.
“Some people go out to sea because they want to get away from stress. Some come looking for a sense of healing while enjoying the activity. It is not just about the fish. The experience itself holds value,” he added.
Sometimes that value lies in watching the horizon slowly brighten before sunrise. Sometimes it is found in conversations shared miles from shore. Other times, it comes from the simple act of disconnecting from the pressures of daily life.
For many participants, the ocean becomes a temporary refuge where deadlines, traffic and digital distractions seem a world away.
The fish may be the reason they book the trip, but often it is the experience they remember most.
Azizi understands that feeling well because his own connection with the water began long before he became known among anglers, started organising fishing trips or explored life beneath the waves.
Growing up with water
Growing up near Sungai Santubong, he spent much of his early life surrounded by water. Fishing was not an occasional hobby but a regular activity woven into everyday life.
His fascination with rivers and the sea developed naturally through those experiences, long before he realised they would one day influence his future.
The rhythms of life near the water became familiar. The changing weather, the movement of currents and the anticipation of each fishing outing quietly nurtured a curiosity that would stay with him for years.
Looking back, those childhood experiences laid the foundation for everything that followed. What began as a childhood pastime along the river would eventually develop into a lifelong passion.
Turning passion into purpose
As he grew older, another interest entered Azizi’s life.
Through his work in film production, he developed skills in videography and visual storytelling. Over time, he began to recognise a unique opportunity to combine his professional expertise with his passion for fishing and the outdoors.
Rather than treating the two interests as separate pursuits, he saw the possibility of bringing them together.
“As I gained experience in videography through film production, I realised there was a real opportunity to turn this hobby into a career if I remained consistent,” he said.
That decision eventually helped him build a following among anglers on social media, where he shares fishing adventures, ocean experiences and content from his trips.
Many local fishing enthusiasts know him through his Facebook page, Azizi Busman, as well as AB Fishing Adventure on Instagram and TikTok.
His growing presence within the angling community also opened opportunities beyond content creation. Today, he sells fishing equipment while continuing to organise fishing trips and produce content related to the sport.
As more people became familiar with his work, he began bringing fellow anglers together through organised fishing expeditions.
“I started organising fishing trips when more anglers began to know me. At the same time, it allowed me to help friends who operate charter boats by connecting them with customers,” he explained.
Beneath the surface
What started as a personal interest had evolved into something much larger — a way of introducing others to the ocean while supporting those whose livelihoods depend on it.
Yet despite spending countless hours on the water, there was still one part of the ocean Azizi had never truly experienced.
For years, he had travelled across its surface, chasing fish and exploring new waters. But like many anglers, he often found himself wondering what lay beneath.
What did the underwater world actually look like? What hidden landscapes existed below the places where he fished?
Eventually, he was given the chance to find out.
“As an angler, I had always wanted to see what lay beneath the surface.
“Alhamdulillah, I was given the opportunity to enter the world of diving. My first diving experience was very special because a dream I had held for a long time finally came true,” he said.
The experience transformed the way he viewed the ocean. What had once been an unseen world suddenly became visible.
Coral formations, schools of fish and marine habitats that had previously existed only in his imagination now appeared before his eyes.
The ocean was no longer simply a surface to travel across. It had depth, complexity and entire ecosystems hidden beneath it.
But diving also revealed another reality. Alongside the beauty of marine life, Azizi began noticing signs of human impact on underwater ecosystems.
One of the most troubling sights was the presence of ghost nets — abandoned or lost fishing gear entangled among coral reefs. These discarded nets continue to trap marine life and damage fragile habitats long after they have been left behind.
“There are many ghost nets caught on coral reefs, and they can disrupt the underwater ecosystem. This needs to be addressed before the situation becomes worse,” he pointed out.
For someone who has spent much of his life around the ocean, such observations are difficult to ignore. They serve as reminders that the sea’s beauty cannot be taken for granted.
The same waters that provide recreation, livelihoods and unforgettable experiences also require care and protection.
Lessons from the sea
Over the years, the ocean has become more than a setting for adventure. It has become a teacher.
“The sea has taught me many things. Every journey comes with challenges. The sea has taught me to stay alert and adapt to changing conditions.
“Most importantly, never stop learning from people who have more experience because knowledge is very important at sea,” Azizi reflected.
It is wisdom forged through experience rather than theory.
Unlike the predictable routines of daily life, the ocean demands respect. Conditions can change quickly. Circumstances can shift without warning.
Success often depends not only on skill but also on observation, preparation and a willingness to keep learning.
Perhaps that is why the sea continues to fascinate him after all these years.
No matter how often he returns, it never feels entirely familiar. There is always something new to discover, understand and respect.
“The sea is always changing. Every change brings a different experience — something you cannot find on land,” he said.
Perhaps that is the sea’s greatest gift. No matter how many times Azizi returns, it never tells the same story twice.
As World Ocean Day reminds people around the globe of the importance of protecting marine environments, his story offers a more personal perspective on why the ocean matters.
For some, the ocean is a place to visit. For others, it is a source of livelihood. For Azizi, it is something far more enduring — a place of adventure, learning, reflection and endless possibility. And after all these years, it remains a horizon he has never stopped exploring.
