Our World

"Bomb-Fishing" has Lasting Impacts

After reading a very interesting blog about new species found in Indonesia, I stumbled upon a new concern. Bomb-fishing. I dug a little deeper into the subject and walked into a whole new environmental problem.

Bomb fishing is one of the most destructive human impacts to coral reefs. It is estimated to destroy 3.75% of the live coral cover each year in some areas. Fishermen use chemical bombs made from fertilizer and kerosene, diesel fuel, old ammunition, and dynamite. The bombs basically explode in the water and effectively kill or stun fish, making them easy to collect. Bomb fishing is ultimately a pretty effective where fish densities are high, but it is also highly destructive because it also kills many untargeted animals.

Bomb fishing damages everything in the blast area, including small unwanted juvenile fish. It is, therefore, an extremely wasteful not to mention dangerous fishing practice. The damage to coral reefs caused by bombs has long-lasting consequences. Coral reefs provide food and shelter for numerous reef-dependent species. Reefs also help to buffer coastlines from storm damage, erosion, and other natural hazards. By destroying the physical structure of a reef, bomb fishing reduces both its habitat for fish and invertebrates, as well as its natural wave-buffering capabilities.

In my opinion, bomb fishing is just another way that people can make an easy buck by exploiting the environment. Should the local government enforce anti-bomb fishing laws? Or would that stifle the delicate economy? I guess it comes down to one question; which is more important, the economy or the environment?

To read more check out the webpage: http://www.reefcheck.org/datamanagement/factsheet.asp?surveyID=1&issuecode=iBF&display=Introduction

posted by Anonymous @ 9/26/2006 08:27:00 PM