Blast fishing facts for kids

Blast fishing, also known as dynamite fishing, is a harmful way of catching fish. It involves using explosives, like dynamite or homemade bombs, to kill or stun many fish at once. This makes it easy for people to collect the fish that float to the surface. However, this method causes a lot of damage to the ocean and the creatures living in it.

Under water explosion

What is Blast Fishing?

Blast fishing uses powerful explosions to stun or kill fish. When an explosive device, like a stick of dynamite, is thrown into the water, it creates a shockwave. This shockwave travels through the water and can kill or injure fish nearby. The fish then float to the surface, where they can be easily gathered by fishermen.

Why is Blast Fishing Harmful?

This fishing method causes a lot of damage to the ocean environment.

• Destroys Habitats: The explosions can shatter and destroy important underwater homes for fish, such as coral reefs. Coral reefs are like underwater cities, providing food and shelter for countless marine animals. When they are destroyed, many fish and other creatures lose their homes and cannot survive.
• Kills Indiscriminately: Blast fishing kills all kinds of marine life in the area, not just the target fish. This includes young fish, eggs, and other animals that are not meant to be caught. This can seriously harm the balance of the ocean ecosystem.
• Dangerous for People: Handling explosives is very risky. Fishermen who use this method often suffer serious injuries, such as losing limbs or even their lives, due to accidental explosions.

Is Blast Fishing Legal?

Because of the severe damage it causes to the environment and the dangers it poses to people, blast fishing is against the law in many countries around the world. Governments and environmental groups are working hard to stop this practice and protect our oceans.

Images for kids

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  Fish floating immediately after the blast

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  Explosives being prepared for blast fishing

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  First World War sailor with a fish stunned by the explosion of a depth charge