Beyond The Bombs: How Fish Bombing On Reefs Affects Overall Food Security

Fish Bombing or Blast fishing is a destructive fishing method that involves using explosives to kill and capture large numbers of fish in a short amount of time. This method of fishing is often used on coral reefs, which are home to a diverse range of marine species, including fish that are important for food security.

Blast fishing has several negative effects on food security. First, it can damage or destroy the coral reef ecosystem, which can lead to a decline in fish populations over time. Coral reefs are essential breeding and feeding grounds for many fish species, and when they are damaged, the fish populations can decline significantly, reducing the availability of fish for human consumption.

Second, blast fishing can kill not only the target fish but also other marine life in the vicinity, including juvenile fish, crustaceans, and other organisms that are important parts of the food chain. This can lead to a decline in the overall productivity of the reef ecosystem, which can further reduce the availability of fish for human consumption.

Third, blast fishing is often carried out by small-scale fishers who are trying to make a living, and who may not have access to other sources of income or food. When blast fishing reduces fish populations, it can leave these fishers without a reliable source of income or food, which can increase their vulnerability to poverty and food insecurity.

In summary, blast fishing on reefs can have significant negative impacts on food security by damaging or destroying the reef ecosystem, reducing the availability of fish for human consumption, and leaving small-scale fishers without a reliable source of income or food.

SFB-USA has the solution to the problem. Click here to read about our Integrated Reef Protection System that will be used to end this harmful practice.