A history of fishing with explosives and poisons in Hong Kong waters

Fishing with explosives is still being practiced aroung Hong Kong. The first legislation against blast fishing was passed in Hong Kong in 1903. Since then, successive legislation has increased the penalties and fines on blast fishing and fishing with poisons. However, the problem has not been eliminated as enforcement puts pressure on the resources of the marine police. It would be more effective to educate the local communities on the destructive effects of these practices and make them more vigilant and responsible in controlling them.

La pêche aux matières explosives

Fishing with explosives dates back to previous times. It was practiced by few Vietnamese fishermen. The practice is widespread in the country during the last fifteen years due to the increasing availability of explosives. Certainly this method gives some significant advantages: it is easy to apply, inexpensive and promptly profitable. But we cannot underestimate the incalculable damages caused by bursting, disorder and desolation. Some of our fishermen, attracted by immediate gain, accomplished a work of terrible devastation. The following paper does not aim to encourage fishermen to develop and modernize fishing methods but it gives the results of an investigation on dangerous fishing methods.