Fishermen arrested for dynamite fishing

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: A joint security team of the Wakatobi National Park in Buton, Southeast Sulawesi, has arrested seven fishermen for allegedly using dynamite to catch fish in waters off Runduma Island.

Head of the Wakatobi park Syihabuddin said on Monday the seven, from Sikka regency, East Nusa Tenggara, were caught aboard their ship, KM Burung Laut, last weekend after people on the island reported their illegal operation.

The suspects were caught by the team comprising rangers, police officers and soldiers.

The team also seized at least 22 homemade bombs and a ton of fish believed to have been caught using the explosives.

Syihabuddin said the park has difficulty protecting Wakatobi waters from dynamite fishing due to a shortage of personnel to guard the area of 1.3 million hectares.

He hopes local people will help in safeguarding the park.

"Wakatobi has exquisite underwater scenery and has attracted a lot of tourists, which brings benefits to the islanders." --Antara