Fish Bombing at the National Park: Nain and Montehage Islands
Nain and Montehage is located at the northern part of the Bunaken national park. It was said that Nain and Montehage are already part of the national park. But what did I see? Some remaining of the bombs from the local fishermen to catch fish. Which, of course, causes the death of the corals.
Bunaken National Park has a strict patrol where they protect the corals. I remember that they have a strict schedule of when fishermen can fish, (I would say with a friendly net or something, but definetely not bombing). But I have also heard that Nain and Montehage is quite far from Bunaken, therefore not many patrol boats go up there. What a pitty. Here are some pictures of the remains of the bombing…so pathetic.
Bomb remaining, dead corals in Batu Kapal site, P.Nain
Just because it is too far? I remember my friend told me that the Komodo National park has full armed patrols who will execute directly who fishes illegally in their water. Maybe because the park is under the UN.
OK, only some patches of area were bombed, but still, I do feel sad that people are not educated enough to not bomb to fish. As if someone couldn’t tell them: no corals, no fishes. Gosh. We were trying to see hammerhead shark, woke up two mornings at around 5:30 am so we could get an early bird show. No luck.
And the island being too far from the Bunaken Park is not a valid reason.
And it takes like 10 years to grow back the corals. Aaaargh, this makes me sad.
There are also sites in Indonesia that has been severely bombed by the fishermen. For instance, Lombok (I’ve never been there but all that went said it was practically barren). In Fukui, Bunaken, where the Giant Clams are, is also damaged.
Wouldn’t it be great if there is no bombing and all the fishermen were educated? Or there is a strict law and enough manpower to visit up to the north of Bunaken? It is one of our country’s asset. We should educate more of the people. Before it’s too late. Maybe there should be reef check over at this area.
Overall, it was a good trip. Will post some sites and pictures when I have some time!
October 22, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Good story Vit. I’ve post it on FB. Awaiting your other stories.
October 23, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Mbak, sayang banget yah corals-nya pada mati gitu
Btw, kok ikannya nggak banyak?
October 23, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Nila, kalau coralnya pada mati, ikannya banyak. Tapi di lokasi lain yang belum kena bomb ikannya buanyaaaak banget! Wait for my other postings ya…I will go through it one by one, especially those which are rarely visited by divers. Safe diving!
October 23, 2008 at 11:35 pm
so sad…
October 24, 2008 at 10:33 am
waktu ke alor lebaran kemarin, ada satu site juga full of rubbles, gak ada ikan sama sekali.. pretty sad! padahal waktu naik, beachnya bagus banget. imagine kl gak ada fish bombing, the site has lots of fishes, healty corals, beautiful beach, perfect!
October 24, 2008 at 12:41 pm
yap,aku kadang berpikir apa yang salah,kita punya laut yang indah,punya species yang unik,tapi pengrusakan alamnya juga hebat,dari masih waktu full time diLOB sampe udah Diresort,blum liat ada perkembangan yang serius tentang penanganan masalah bom,pembiusan,sampah dibunaken busyet, ini laut,taman nasional,keranjang sampah atau apa ya?POL PP PEMDA MANADO.mestinya mulai diarahkan untuk mendidik masyarakat,buang sampah yang benar itu,dimana,ngajarin,ngawasin,gebukin kalu perlu.he.he.bukan cuma mau gebukin PKL melulu.
October 25, 2008 at 10:56 am
Kalo emang part of national park, kenapa yg agak jauh ga terjaga? So sad.. Haven’t the fisherman been educated about proper fishing techniques that won’t harm the corals? It is everyone’s loss.