Bomb Fishing Is Wreaking Havoc on Indonesia's Coral Reefs
Fishers operating off the coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia, are detonating more than 8,000 underwater explosives each year, researchers estimate. The practice is turning picturesque coral reefs to “rubble.” Read more on E360 →
In Indonesia's Sulawesi region, fishers are detonating over 8,000 underwater explosives annually, leaving picturesque coral reefs in ruins. The Coral Triangle, home to an astounding array of marine life, has suffered significant damage due to this destructive practice known as "bomb fishing." This globally banned technique involves plastic bottles packed with explosives, which stun and kill everything within a 90-foot radius.
Researchers from the Zoological Society of London recorded more than 3,500 explosions in just 3,600 hours off Indonesia's Spermonde Archipelago using underwater microphones. Blast fishing not only endangers the colorful coral reef habitats but also kills fish with ruptured internal organs and burst swim bladders, sold at local markets.
Ben Williams, the lead author of the study, asserts that bomb fishing is likely the primary cause of reef loss in the area. A single bomb can devastate 200 square feet of coral, converting it into a desolate landscape of rubble and dead coral. In 2023, researchers attached $150 audio recorders to stakes on the seafloor and used artificial intelligence software to analyze 16 months of sound recordings.
They identified potential detonations and manually verified each sound wave to determine if it was caused by a bomb or a misfiring boat engine. The team detected detonations from over 10 miles away, revealing that there are likely more than 8,500 blasts each year within a 350-square-mile area. With a bomb dropped every 62 minutes, three football fields of reef are destroyed annually.
The data shows that bomb fishing occurs year-round, peaking in the mornings and significantly decreasing on Fridays, the local day of prayer. While poverty is often cited as the reason for blast fishing, experts believe it's more likely a practice among middle-income fishers due to the high cost of boats, bombs, and detonators. Effective enforcement and management are crucial in combating illegal fishing, including bomb fishing, which is indiscriminate and kills various species regardless of age, size, or intent.
Despite the widespread harm, intercepting blast fishers in the act remains challenging in a nation with over 70 million acres of marine protected areas. Researchers hope the new research can be used to create a network of audio sensors with GPS syncs to provide real-time detection and localization for marine authorities, not just in Indonesia but globally, particularly in biodiverse habitats.
Written by urgent.news from Yale Environment 360's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
