Dynamite fishermen nabbed in Bali

Dynamite fishermen nabbed in Bali

DENPASAR, Bali: Buleleng Police have arrested seven fishermen
who are believed to have endangered the natural ecosystem of the
regency's western coast by catching fish with powerful homemade
explosives.

Buleleng Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. M. Syafei said here on
Tuesday that officers also confiscated two homemade bombs, a
fishing boat, four outboard motors and four compressors from the
suspects.

"The explosives are very powerful. They can damage an area up
to 15 meters below sea level," he said.

Syafei said the suspects admitted that the two confiscated
explosives were part of 15 others they bought from several
unidentified men. Thirteen were detonated at various points along
the coastal area of Grokgak over the last thirty days.

"The use of explosives is really irresponsible. Explosives
indiscriminately kill all the fish in the area, and disrupt their
reproduction cycle," he said.

"Furthermore, the explosives also gravely damage the
ecosystem, such as the coral reef, which is one of this regency's
most valuable assets in tourism." --JP