Bandar Lampung, Ekuatorial – Tempted to earn more money, Hendri Oktavia used bombs to catch fish. “It is a lot faster and [I was catching] a lot of fish,” said the-34-year old fishermen to Ekuatorial.com last week.
Oktavia, who usually operates in Kiluan Bay, said he could catch at least 200 kilograms of fish using 500grams of dynamite which can reach 500 meters deep. He would earned Rp15,000 to Rp 30,000 (US$1.2 to US$ 2.5) depending on the fish species.
He did not manage to enjoy his earnings any longer as he was arrested by the Lampung police on charges of environmental destruction which also threatening dolphins in Kiluan Bay.
The Kiluan Bay, located in Kelumbayan, Tanggamus district of Lampung province, is a famous touristic site for its wild dolphins. If lucky, tourists would be able to see schools of dolphins around the bay. It is considered as the home for the biggest dolphin population in the world. Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncates) and long-beaked dolphin (Stenella longirostris) are often seen in the site.
Unfortunately, their habitat is being threatened by blast fishermen who are already bombing surrounding areas.
Chief of Lampung Water Police Edison said that fishermen were starting to ‘explore’ Kiluan Bay as it has many corals which are sanctuary for lots of fish. They have expanded their catch areas, he added, from Telukbetung sub district, Pesawaran district, Sebesi Island, to Kiluan Bay and Agung city in Tanggamus which were dolphins’ habitat.
“They usually use bombs in Pesawaran and Sebesi island. But, they have changed course to Kilauan Bay which according to suspect has plenty of fish,” said Edison. “They used fish bombs or modified nets with weights at the hook and stun device.”
He added 200 fishermen have been arrested for destructive and illegal fishing on his department. However, the law enforcement was challenged by local fishermen admitting that they have not done anything against the law. As much as one hundreds fishermen were on strike as a protest on the way the police handling the case, last week.
Masruroh, 35, wife of fisherman in Teluk Betuk sub district, protested that police capturing fishermen was against human rights. “We have paid and [obtained] permit to fish so why are there so many fishermen getting caught,” she said. “We are demanding justice because we are using legal fishing devices, especially based on the 2013 Ministerial Regulation [on fisheries]. Eni Muslihah