Overfishing and Using Dynamite

Dynamite fishing is a technique in which fishermen use dynamite, bombs with dangerous substances,
or homemade explosives to kill fish. Unwittingly, fishermen also destroyed coral reefs because of the
effects of the explosion. Sometimes fishermen also electrocute fish, kill many species of fish, and
physically turn the reef into a pile of rubble. Although fishing explosions have been banned in many
places, they continue to be practiced.

Catching fish with dynamite can destroys fragile coral colonies. Even the smallest part of dynamite can
blow up a crater two to three feet in diameter. The explosion killed coral, and debris around it
prevented adjacent coral colonies from recovering. If the shallow part of the reef is destroyed by
repeated explosions, it is impossible for the reef to recover. Many bomb fishermen do not understand
that once the reef is gone, the fish will also leave. It is estimated that more than 55 percent of the
world's coral reefs are threatened by overfishing and / or destructive fishing.

Dynamite fishing creates waves of destruction. Not only does it threaten coral reefs, but it also leads
to a decline in fish populations, affects coastal communities and small fisheries that try to compete
with trawlers, and negatively impacts the tourism industry. Coral reefs are an integral part of the
marine ecosystem. Coral mortality related to climate is a planetary crisis. Dynamite fishing only adds
to the horror.

Coral reefs are a source of food and housing for fish, coral reefs are also included in the protected
category. Recently the demand for fish has increased due to various factors including increased
demand for fish and seafood products; more efficient fishing methods; inadequate management and
enforcement; and lack of alternative livelihood options.

Excessive fishing and using efficient methods cause a decline in fish populations, and also have an
impact on marine ecosystems. Destructive fishing methods include the use of explosives to kill or
knock out fish, which also destroy corals. This method, called blasting or dynamite capture, destroys
corals and kills ecosystems in the coral reef. This makes it difficult for coral reefs to be repaired or
renewed.

An unfortunate effect of fishing with explosives (or cyanide for that matter) as opposed to organic
toxins is that it often kills fish, even if they aren’t eaten. Some of the organic fish toxins used by many
indigenous groups didn’t actually kill fish. The poisons only stunned fish long enough for them to be
caught. Fish not picked out of the water to be eaten often survived the encounter, swimming away
when the toxins wore off. This isn’t always the case. Toxins vary widely by region but one thing is true:
organic toxins eventually break down and they don’t harm the physical environment with explosions.

This fishing method involves using cyanide to kill fish on a large scale and then produce a lot of catch.
In addition, fishermen often damage corals when trying to collect fish that have died but are caught
in corals, causing further damage to the coral reef ecosystem. Unfortunately, around one-third to one-
half of fish collected using this method die immediately after harvesting, making this a very fatal
harvest method for marine ecosystems.

Destructive fishing methods such as dynamite, gill nets, and beach trawlers are very unsustainable
because they do not usually target certain fish species. Damage to the structure of coral reefs further
reduces the productivity of the area, thus adversely affecting fish populations that depend on coral
reefs and also the livelihoods of fishermen and surrounding communities.
The Institute for Tropical Research and Conservation Center (TRACC) revealed mathematically, that
any explosive weighing approximately 1 kilogram was detonated, could kill fish within a radius of 15
to 25 meters, or about 500 square meters, leaving a crater as deep as about 3 to 4 meters diameter
of coral reef. The most common use of bottled beverage explosives by fishermen is estimated to
damage at least 10 square meters. Sometimes small bombs are thrown first to kill small fish, then
bigger bombs to get more results.

At the level of fishermen the price is already high. As a result, fishing for this type of fish becomes
blind. If catching it with a fishing line is not a problem but they are hunted using homemade bombs or
potassium cyanide poison. Fishermen are willing to challenge the danger of damaging the marine
environment for economic value. For the sake of a bowl of sea fish head soup, the coral reef where
they live must be destroyed. Many are not aware that behind the tantalizing menu is recorded in the
traces of a tragic life. Most of our fishermen catch reef fish with very dangerous practices using bombs
or poisons / anesthetics. It is dangerous because with this practice, life is often at stake. If with
anesthesia, the impact is that the corals as a breeding ground for fish will turn white and then die.
Corals become unhealthy and their ecological functions become lost as a result of shelter and foraging
for fish are lost. Likewise, if bombed, corals will be destroyed and their reproductive function will
automatically be lost.