Illegal fishing rampant in Togean

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Fishing with the use of explosive materials such as ammonium cyanide is becoming rampant in the islands of Togean, Poso regency in Central Sulawesi and had caused coral reefs and marine biota to be damaged even further.

Whereas in fact, the Togean islands consist of the most beautiful coral reefs in Indonesia, even the whole world.

Director of the Tolaka Foundation, Jafar M. Amin, on Monday in Palu revealed that based on investigative results, there were at least 80 explosions daily heard around the Togean islands.

Fish bombings had occurred in three subdistricts of Una-Una, Togean and Walea islands.

The Poso regental administration is the one most responsible for the rampant bombings for the past several years, Jafar said, as there were no more sea patrols by security personnel at Central Sulawesi's main tourist destination.

"At the Togean islands now, there is no more patrols by security forces to overcome the fish bombings," he said.

Besides that, the Poso administration is turning a blind eye toward the perpetrators.

He reckoned the administration is of the impression to let it go on. The administration should have issued a by-law and slap sanctions on those fishing using explosive materials.

Besides using explosives, some of the fishermen also used poison. If the condition were to go on, damage to coral reefs and marine biota in the area would be imminent.

The islands of Togean are known for their virgin marine beauty. Hundreds of types of coral reefs are spread out beneath the Togean sea. -- JP