Dynamite fishing near Tumbatu Island in Zanzibar
A few days ago I went diving near Nungwi in north Zanzibar and the instructor and a couple of divers from one of the resorts showed me photos from a dive they had done the day before. They had dived on Pengeleni Reef (a reef near Tumbatu Island) in the north of Zanzibar and not long before they arrived at the dive site some fishers had been there – using dynamite as their fishing method. When the dive instructor and his guests came underneath the surface they faced thousands of dead fish covering the bottom and also many broken pieces of coral. This is a terribly wasteful and destructive method to fish since it destroys the habitat and as much as 80% of the fish that dies sinks to the bottom of the ocean and will be wasted. The small percentage of fish that is caught is also not very suitable to eat, since the meat gets destroyed by the impact of the dynamite.
The issue was immediately reported to the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources in Zanzibar and they are now organising a meeting with all fishers from the northern region of Zanzibar to discuss this issue. The meeting will take place in Mkokotoni at 10 am on Thursday morning (July 22) and I hope they will find out if the local fishers have been involved or if this is also an issue related to migrant fishers.
With the elections in Zanzibar and Tanzania coming up soon (October 2010) the relatively frequent use of dynamite as a fishing method should also be interesting from a safety perspective. There is simply too much dynamite going around, and in the hands of the wrong people it can be used not only for destructive fishing, but also for other illegal activities on land...
My hope is that the Department of Fisheries will get powerful support from the entire Government to stop this terribly wasteful, destructive and dangerous activity as soon as possible!
Dynamite fishing near Tumbatu Island in Zanzibar
The same challenges have happened in Simaya Islet in the area between Pombwe-Somanaga in Kilwa-Rufiji border. This area is very potential for endangered species (Dudongs and turtles), corals and high diversity of marine species, it is a strategic area as it is also a station and main passage for migrant fishers from Mtwara and Zanzibar (Kojani) to potential resource areas of Rufiji Delta and Mafia Island. Apart from establishing Beach Management Units (BMUs) in this area and a special network of joining 3 to 4 BMUs to form the collaborative Fisheries Management Areas (CFMAs) for those communities sharing the common fishing ground, WWF RUMAKI has taken a special consideration of conducting a meeting with important stakeholders including the fishers, community leaders and district leaders (including District Commissioners, District Administrative Secretaries, District Executive Directors, District Councilors, District Magistrates, Police -OCDs, Security- DSOs, Legal officers, DFsO and DNROs) from Kilwa and Rufiji and facilitated the development of Anti-Dynamite strategies to curb dynamite fishing at Simaya area. The proceedings of the meeting were also covered by Press (TBC) both TV and radio to create awareness on the heathly, physical and environmental consequences that may be caused by the use of dynamites. In particular they were shocked with the effect of eating fish which was killed by poisons or dynamites and its effect on their healthy/body. They were also happy to learn to know how to recognise the fish killed by dynamite or poison, and skills provided by legal officers on how to encounter and catch culprits including illegal fishers/dynamite fishers.
The communities involved in this meeting were able to provided the feedback in their respective villages through village assembly meetings.
This Anti-dynamite strategies activity was done in February 2010 but has produced tangible results as it encouraged commitments to the communities and todate they are reporting illegal fishing activities whenever they see any sign illegal fishers around the area and just recently in Cheketu sub-village of Somanga reported for dynamite fishers who strategically caught with 250 grams of dynamite and the file opened at Kilwa district Police office. This is the first big event reported and voluntarily confiscated by community members. 39 other distructive fishing gears were also caught. In addition, the communities have identified reefs for replenishment in this area. This has reduced distructive fishing activities including dynamite practices in this area.
Julitha Mwangamilo,
Project Executant, SCCaFCoM-Strengthening Community Capacity
for Fisheries Co-management (SCCaFCoM)
WWF Tanzania Programme Office; Regent Estate 350 Mikocheni
P O Box 63117, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Tel: +255 22 2775346
Fax: +255 22 2775535
Mob: +255 713 551231
+255 784 287766
+255 777 751231
Email: Jmwangamilo@wwftz.org
julithamwangamilo@hotmail.com
Web: www.panda.org
WWF for a living planet
Dynamite fishing near Tumbatu Island in Zanzibar
Dear readers,
To me this dynamite issue is critcal for the Tumbatu communiy and I take it as a challenge. Tumbatu and neighbouring villages has a committee for consrvation of the coastal and marine resources (MIMCA) and now is in the process of establishing its own Marine Conservation Area around Tumbatu (TUMCA). So, how comes that dynamite fishing is taking place infront of their faces without noticing or providing information to relavant established systems. Also, as far as I know, the Mwana wa mwana reef is very close to Tumbatu Island, both Gomani Uvivini and Jongowe.
I actualy, attended the said meeting that comprised of all chair persons forming Mnemba Island Marine Conservation Area (MIMCA). As has been said by my previous collegues that the Area Commisioner for North A districts, Director Of Fisheries and Marine Resources, administrtative officer for Tumbatu, army forces (police and coastal Guard (KMKM) and other officers both from the fisheries department and the district were there as well.
After long presentation by the director and the district commissioner including the administrative officer for Tumbatu, some participants did not deny nor agree about what had happened. They were surprised on dynamiting fishing in Zanzibar as it has been the practice of long time ago, but not now (is a surprise). During the meeting, there was a slide showing the background pictures, taken on the sites with dead fish lying down along the corals with broken pieces of corals.
Finally the meeting (all the participants) raised their hands in support of the fighting against dynamiting and concluded the following;
- All members attended (chairs) the meeting should participate and conduct patrols at least for three months (six at a time as there are two boats);
- The Chair person from Tumbatu was ordered to facilitate the availability of patrol boats (that will be fuelled by the deparment/conservation area) and stationed in Tumbatu;
- Another patrol boat will be supplied by the deparment of fisheries and manned in collaboration with KMKM and police forces;
- All participants will be temporarily paid by the department/conservation authority;
- All Outside (foreign) fishers should not be allowed to catch fish within MIMCA, hence expelled;
- All boats operating in the area are to be inspected.
To me this exercise seems to be a temporary effort, and hence there is a need of involving all the stakeholders including politicians as they are influencial in their reponsible areas, by covering other coastal and marine area of not only MIMCA, but throughout the island as it is surrounded by sea.
Dynamite fishing in Zanzibar is not common and there was a survey some years back which noted that no dynamiting was taking place, but was rumours from divers who indicated hearing of sounds when they are under-water. This was very common in Pemba, Zanzibar sister Island, which is at proximity to Tanga, where the dynamiting activity now has been much reduced and is under control.
Indeed this is a very serious issue, so everyone (environment lovers) should devote to this fighting and the culprits should immediately be taken to legislation as soon as possible whenever caught. This will ensure the sustainability of the resources and hence the welfare of the users as well as dealers.
Thanks ,
Issa
The TzCRTF and dynamite fishing practices.
The National Environment Management Council (NEMC) is trying to work towards curbing dynamite fishing practices in the coastal regions via the Tanzania Coral Reef Task Force (CRTF).
NEMC is host to the CRTF, whose members represent relevant Government and non-government bodies concerned with wise management of coastal and marine resources in Tanzania. The CRTF is convened under the Convention for the Protection, Management, and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Eastern African Region, known as the Nairobi Convention, whose Action Plan and related Protocols came into force in May 1996. Tanzania is amongst ten countries that are signatory to the convention.
We are still in the preliminary process, so we can exchange ideas.
Thanx
Rose
TzCRTF secretariat
The TzCRTF and dynamite fishing practices.
Re: DLIST ASCLME: Dynamite fishing near Tumbatu Island in Zanzib
Dynamite fishing near Tumbatu Island in Zanzibar
Frida,
Who has initiated this topic of dynamite fishing in tumbatu. it is important to have basic information for this and it should be from reliable sources.
sihaba
RE: DLIST ASCLME: Dynamite fishing near Tumbatu Island in Zanzib
Sign a petition agains dynamite fishing in Tanzania!
Dear All,
a great initiative by Mady from DSM, - please sign the petition "Stop the use of explosives for fishing in Tanzania". to help reach the goal of 100,000 signatures!
This is the link:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/32/stop-the-use-of-explosives-for-fishing...
Apologies for cross-posting & thanks to all!