Blast fishing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Blast fishing or dynamite fishing describes the practice of using dynamite or other explosives to stun or kill schools of fish for easy collection. This practice can be extremely destructive to the surrounding ecosystem, as the shockwaves often destroy the underlying habitat (such as coral reefs close to a coastline) that supports the fish. The frequently improvised nature of the explosives used also means danger for the fishermen as well, with accidents and injuries.
Although outlawed, the practice remains widespread in economically depressed areas of the Philippines, where the practice dates back to even before the Second World War; one 1999 report estimated that some 70,000 fishermen (12% of the nation's total number) engage in the practice today.[1] Extensive hard-to-patrol coastlines; the lure of lucrative, easy catches; and in some cases outright apathy or corruption on the part of local officials make enforcement of blast fishing bans an ongoing challenge for Philippine authorities.
The practice is also found in other regions of Southeast Asia, the South China Sea, the Aegean Sea and coastal Africa.
In contrast to the economic fishing done in the Third World, blast fishing is a dangerous (and generally illegal) form of recreation. Often sealed mason jars filled with water and dry ice are employed. These devices explode without warning, and have been known to injure or kill the person using them, or innocent bystanders. M-80 fireworks are sometimes used as well.
Blast Fishing is sometimes called "Redneck Fishing" as a joke.
