Fishing Village Irked By Blast Fishing In Flores Sea

Mataram, W Nusa Tenggara, Oct 23 (Antara) - Unchecked blast fishing, which involves the use of explosives, in the Flores Sea is hurting the ecosystem and the local economy, according to the head of Teluk Santong Village, Plampang, Sumbawa District, West Nusa Tenggara. Irresponsible fishermen, suspected to be from outside the village, have resorted extensively to blast fishing over the past one month in the Flores Sea, which lies north of the village, said Teluk Santong Village Head Muhammad Ikhsan on Wednesday. This has raised concerns among local residents and fishermen, whose livelihood depends on marine products, he added. In blast fishing, fishermen use explosives to stun or kill schools of fish so they can catch them easily. The illegal practice can prove extremely harmful for the surrounding ecosystem as the explosions often destroy the underlying habitat, such as coral reefs which support the fish. "The use of explosives for fishing has gone out of control. Local officers seem to be ignoring the practice. The fishermen often use explosives in shallow water so the blasts damage the coral reef as well," Ikhsan stated. Fishermen of Teluk Santong - who fish using traditional methods such as nets, rods, and bagan (fishing platforms - now have to go to the Tambora Sea, which is far from their village. This is because they hardly find any fish in the nearby sea on account of blast fishing. As the Tambora Sea is far from the village, the fishermen have to use more fuel and shell out more money, Ikhsan noted. The voyage is also more risky, he added. The issue of blast fishing has triggered a conflict between local fishermen and outsiders. Some local fishermen were reported to have burned a boat used by fishermen from other areas for blast fishing. Local police had conducted a patrol to check blast fishing, but this failed to be a deterrent. "Blast fishing has become more rampant over the last one month," Ikhsan observed. The Ikhsan and the residents of Teluk Santong have urged the administration and law enforcement officials to take firm action against fishermen resorting to blast fishing. According to Ikhsan, the nearby Saleh Bay has vast marine resources which need to be preserved and protected.