SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2001
Bravo, now pursue masterminds of fish bombing: Kurup
By Arman Gunsika
KOTA KINABALU - State Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Tan Sri Joseph Kurup commended State Fisheries officials for the successful haul of some 1,000kgs of bombed fish in a surprise raid in the wee hours of last Saturday.The operation, aimed at stamping out fish bombing, was led by Fisheries enforcement chief Joshua Gantai and 13 personnel.
However, Kurup said these inspections must be held regularly. "They must also not just go after the bombers but the masterminds until this destructive fishing method is eliminated. Fish bombing has been going on for many years in Sabah waters and studies by visiting Japanese marine scientists and local researchers have revealed that extensive damage has been inflicted on Sabah's marine eco-system," he said.
Besides, he said, if this is allowed to continue, Sabah's future generations will have less fish to enjoy, facing costlier seafood.
He called on the authorities to also step up their awareness campaign as there were complaints that reef fish species that can only be caught by blasting of corals are easily available at the Kota Kinabalu fish market on most days and because enforcement is lacking.
The campaign should also advise consumers how to detect bombed fish so that the culprits will eventually have no ready market.
Meanwhile, in Kunak District, the Fisheries Department recorded 23 cases of fish bombings between 1993 and 2000 of which repeated offenders were caught consecutively in 1994 and 1995. Kunak Fisheries Office stated that most fish bombing activities in the district were carried out by full-time fishermen. The activities are dangerous as they threaten not only the livelihood but also the lives of other fishermen. In this respect, the people themselves must play their part to rid the area of such menace by alerting the marine police immediately, it said.
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