Peruvian authorities have noted an increase in fishing with explosives, one of the most devastating methods of harvesting fish.

Ten of 25 Fraser’s dolphins that were stranded in a coastal village in Del Gallego town, Camarines Sur province on Tuesday morning were found dead, possibly due to trauma caused by blast fishing, an official of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said.

Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing costs economies up to US$50 billion globally each year, and makes up to one-fifth of the global catch. It’s a huge problem not only for the 59.5 million people who depend on fisheries for their livelihoods, but also for the environment.

A special meeting of the SFB Board was called in December to consider the proposal by Dr. George Woodman to disestablish Stop Fish Bombing International, to dissolve the Board of Directors and shift SFB responsibilities to Executive Director Terence Lim, SFB Malaysia. The members of the Board agreed with this proposal. Terence continues his operational duties working directly with SFB USA to Stop Fish Bombing worldwide.

SFB-USA and SFB-MY recently joined BluHope.org for a webinar about fish bombing in Sabah.

The Enhance Control Movement Order by the local authorities have had a significant effect to the island communities that need to go out to fish daily to feed their families.

While continuing our work in the Marine Protected Areas in Malaysian Borneo, Stop Fish Bombing USA is lending our expertise and technology to an issue much closer to home: bombs in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

On a trip in 2019, a volunteer observer for SFB-USA and SFB-MY, was able to conduct an interview with a current fish bomber.

Syndicates from a neighbouring country are behind the proliferation of fish bombing activities in Sabah waters.

While visiting the northern islands in Sabah one of our team members spoke with a village chief of the Bajau Laut about how the bombers are organized and other ways they are affecting village life.

Sabah marine authorities are urged to take stern action against fish bombers after allegations that such activities are becoming rampant again.

The diving fraternity here is hoping coral reefs around the Mantanani Islands will be better protected and promoted by the authorities.