Indonesia Blast fishing in
Indonesia has been around for over fifty years and continues to damage its coral reefs, as fishermen continue to use explosives or cyanide to kill or stun their prey. Dive operators and
conservationists say Indonesia is not doing enough to protect the waters off the
Komodo Islands. They say enforcement declined following the exit of a U.S.-based conservation group that helped fight destructive fishing practices. Coral Gardens that were among Asia's most spectacular dive sites were the latest victim of blasting despite being located inside the
Komodo National Park, a 500,000-acre reserve and
U.N. World Heritage Site. The use of bombs made with
kerosene and fertilizer is very popular in the region. While previously Komodo was relatively protected by a cooperative undertaking with TNC (The Nature Conservancy) since the Indonesian government has assumed responsibility for park protection, there has been an upsurge in bombing. During a recent visit to Crystal Bommie, it was found to be 60% destroyed, with freshly overturned coral tables proving recent bombing. In the market in the city of
Makassar, an estimated 10 to 40 percent of the fish are caught in this manner. The local fishermen find the technique to be easier and more productive than traditional methods. The goal for the country has been to implement stricter policies and fisheries management programs to limit the killing of the fish as well as the destruction of the marine ecosystem. Forty years ago, blast fishing was practiced with
dynamite which was in plentiful supply after
World War II. Today, fishermen mostly use homemade bombs that are made from bottles filled with an explosive mixture; weights are also added to make the bottle sink faster underwater. After the bomb explodes, the fish killed or stunned by the
shock wave from the explosion are collected.
Lebanon Blast fishing or dynamite fishing is growing more common in Lebanon, where fishers make their own homemade dynamite. According to the Safadi Foundation, an organisation which that develops sustainable projects in Lebanon, 5% of fishermen use dynamite fishing. "In Tripoli, this technique was in decline for several years before increasing again in 2019", points out Samer Fatfat, consultant at the Safadi Foundation. "On the beaches of Akkar, it has remained constant."
Philippines A 1987 study concluded that blast fishing was then very widespread in the Philippines, estimating that 25% of all municipal fish landings (equivalent to 250,000 metric tons per year) were from blast fishing. Most of the blast fishing is undertaken in the south, near
Palawan and the
South China Sea. A study conducted in 2002 reported that destructive fishing methods had caused the degradation of about 70% of Philippine coral reefs and reduced annual fisheries production by about 177,500 metric tons in the 1990s. In 2010, mayor Nino Rey Boniel of
Bien Unido town in the province of
Bohol,
Philippines, built an underwater
grotto along the
Danajon reef which deteriorated due to excessive
dynamite and
cyanide use. Through the help of
Sea Knights and Boholano divers, two
statues of Mother Mary and Santo Nino (
Spanish for
Holy Child) were placed on 8 September and 18 October 2010 respectively, below sea level in order to discourage fishermen from using illegal and destructive methods in fishing and hopefully remind everyone that the sea and its inhabitants are gifts from God that deserves to be treasured and taken care of. In 2012, the director of the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources declared an “all-out war” against dynamite fishing and other illegal fishing practices.
Tanzania In northern Tanzania, blast fishing, which is illegal, has resurfaced in recent years as a key danger to its coral reefs. This has occurred even though major institutions like local communities and the district government have been put in place for enhanced fisheries management. The damage of blast fishing in the area has contributed to unstable coral reefs, discouragement of tourism investors, and a threat to the habitat of
coelacanths in the region. Other impacts of blast fishing in the area include reports that citizens have died or lost limbs due to the blasting. The northern part of the country has many beautiful beaches and uninhabited islands. However, many investors feel that tourists are discouraged due to the fish blasting. In Tanzania, coral reefs are essential for both ecological and socio-economic reasons. They are full of fish,
lobsters,
prawns,
crabs,
octopuses,
mollusks, and
sea cucumbers. In addition, coral reefs are one of the major tourist attractions in Tanzania. The coastal tourism provides a living for the people as well as foreign currency for the country. However, there has been an increase in the people living along the coast which has led to a large demand for fisheries. It has led to
overexploitation and
destructive fishing practices. Blast fishing has been practiced in Tanzania since the 1960s. It was during the 1980s and 1990s that blast fishing was at its peak in Tanzania. For example, in Mnazi bay,
Mtwara, 441 blasts were recorded in two months in 1996, and 100 blasts were witnessed through one six-hour period in Mpovi reef.
United States A 1903 short story by
Frank Norris titled
The Passing of Cock-Eye Blacklock describes efforts to end blast fishing on California's
American River. == See also ==