What Is Dynamite Fishing?

Began in the 1960s, was brought under control in the 1990s but has surged in recent years. 25% of all marine species are associated with coral reefs. A 32 year old fisherman states ''blast fishing destroys the fish habitats under water where fish reproduce and that has had a big impact, especially on us who use ring nets to fish." "The number of fish has drastically reduced we are not able to catch many fish like before.” Tanzania is the only country in Africa where dynamite or blast fishing still occurs on a large scale, according to Smart Fish, a fisheries program funded by the European Union. Although it is illegal, it occurs along the entire Tanzanian coastline, from Mtwara to Tanga, and off nearby islands. There have also been reports of blast fishing off north Zanzibar.