Sikka coral reefs damaged

Sikka coral reefs damaged

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: The increasing use of explosives
in traditional fishing has caused damage to some 5,800 hectares
of coral reef in Sikka regency, regent Paulus Moa said on
Saturday.

Paulus said currently the regency had a total of 7,200
hectares of coral reef, of which only 1,400 hectares were still
intact and undamaged.

He said local fishermen and fishermen from outside the
province often used explosives in their daily fishing activities
in the Sikka area.

The excessive use of explosives and poisonous chemicals such
as cyanide would ruin the still untapped rich maritime resources
in Sikka, Paulus said, adding that only 31.78 percent of the sea
resources had been exploited so far. (yac)