Officials arrest fish bombers

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: A district chief and his staff in Southeast Sulawesi's Muna regency caught seven fish bombers red- handed and seized 500 kilograms of illegal fish catch from them.

"The seven fishermen who bombed the fishes in the village of Oempu in Tongkuno district are being held at the local police station," said Tongkuno district chief La Ode Kardini on Sunday.

He said their arrest followed a tip from local fishermen who witnessed the illegal activity.

Many fish bombers are operating in the district, but they were often able to outsmart the authorities, Kardini said.

"In one day, you can hear the sounds of at least 10 to 15 bombs blasts here," Kardini said, citing information gathered from villagers.

Muna Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Alimuddin Tinulu said that fishermen here resorted to bombs because of tougher competition from those with better fishing equipment.

The bombs kill fish by concussion, but the explosion also kills and damages underwater flora and fauna. Still, the practice is popular in numerous places in Indonesia. -- Antara