BENGKULU CORAL REEFS FACING EXPLOSIVE THREAT

Bengkulu, Sumatra, March 5 (ANTARA) - Fishermen in Bengkulu Province still use explosives in fishing.

Consequently, the preservation of coral reefs, fish population and other marine resources were in danger, a navy officer said.

Among fishermen usually using the explosives are those living in Enggano Island, Chief of Bengkulu's naval base, Lt.Col.Sukrisno said here Friday.

Quoting the reports of navy officers in Kahyapu village, Enggano Island, certain fishermen operating in Malakoni waters kept using explosives, he said.

As a result, lots of fish, shrimps, and crabs were killed, and coral reefs were seriously damaged. But the local navy authorities had yet to catch the fishermen red-handedly.

"When the navy patrol came to the waters of the explosions, the fishermen had no stopped fishing," he said.

Besides explosives, the Enggano fishermen also used potassium, a chemical harmful to human and marine life, Sukrisno said.

Thailand's experience could be taken as a good lesson. The country had ever undergone shortage of fish stocks for a long time as a result of damaged coral reefs, he said.

Due to the serious impacts of potassium and explosives on the sustainability of marine resources and conservation, he urged local fishermen to soon stop the destructive habits.

Instead, he called on them to use fishing nets that the Bengkulu province's fishing and marine office had recommended.

"We are maintaining routine patrols in the Bengkulu waters. The fishermen who violated the law will be arrested and brought to justice," he said.