Dynamite fishing poses threat to aquatic species #tanzania

DYNAMITE fishing kills large quantities of fish regrettably
80 per cent of the loot is swept away uncollected. The loss
comes in addition to irreparable destruction of the marine
ecology, beach survey members have observed.
Members of Beach Management Units (BMWs) in Dar es
Salaam have called for serious combat of the destructive
dynamite fishing saying that out of 100 fish killed in a cruel
manner hardly 20 pieces only (fish) are collected to reach
unsuspecting consumers at their own expense.
Mfaume Athumani, Chairman of Youth Vision of Kigamboni
(BMU) whose members operate as volunteers said it does
not require a trained eye to tell that dynamite fishing is
rampant along the coastal line of Dar es Salaam.
"A huge number of fish killed after ignition is swept away as
perpetrators strive to shovel off those floating. It takes
hardly 50 minutes before floating fish sink aground.
This is uncalled-for fishing method that authorities should
act decisively to stop the crime," he appealed. He named
Buyuni fish market in Temeke district which he confidently
said 100 per cent of the fish catch supplied to this particular
market (unauthorized) came from dynamite fishing.
"Surprisingly dishonest officials from Temeke municipality
enjoyed the operation of the market as they collected the
kick-backs on a daily basis. I have nothing to be afraid of
as long as I am defending the natural resources that
generations to come have the right to benefit from,"
Athumani appealed.
Head of Marine of Coastal East Africa - Global Initiative, Mr
Domingos Gove gave an example of Mozambique where
decisive measures have been taken to guarantee
sustainable fishing in the Indian Ocean.
Elimination of dynamite fishing was among the
achievements. "Some of the preventive measures taken by
concerned authorities may appear tough but they tend to be
appropriate in the final analysis.
It is more expensive to avoid combating dynamite fishing.
Nations can benefit a lot from fisheries," Gove observed.
The Assistant Director Fisheries Resource Development in
the ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries, Fatma
Sobo spoke about the health risk of fish obtained from the
dynamite, saying they go bad (rot) quickly.
Winston Ngota who is a BMU member said fish stalls seen
in numerous corners in Dar es Salaam stuffed with fresh
fish in the evening came from dynamite fishing. "Dynamite
fishing is the order of the day in Dar es Salaam.
As long as the detonators are assured of the market and
always being in 'good' work relationship with the concerned
authorities, the destruction is here to stay," Ngota sadly
said. He named places like Buguruni, Kiwalani, Banana,
Mombasa, Msasani, Magomeni, Mwenge, Kigamboni among
others where "fresh" fish supply never misses. It comes
from dynamite fishing.
Ironically explosions are heard around islands near the
government headquarters. Do we need FBI or Scotland Yard
to help stop this?,'" Ngota inquired.
The District Administrative Secretary (DAS) of Lindi Mr
Simeon Manjulungu said dynamite fishing had been
eliminated in his area through effective cooperation with
BMUs.
"The information shared by concerned members of the
community must be taken seriously. The residents know
who were behind the illegal fishing. They helped expose the
culprits and the exercise was sustained until stopped
completely," Simeon explained.
Hidaya Hemed resident of Kilwa Masoko in Lindi region
recalled the time when the market was flooded with "fresh"
fish in the evening such that some (fish) were given free of
charge after evening prayers.
"Those coming from the mosques after evening prayers
were given fish. That was the time dynamite fishing was
rampant in Kilwa Masoko.
That itself was an excellent indicator of illegal fishing that
authorities acted against very strongly. Today no body
dares going for illegal fishing," Hidaya cited.