The Impact Of Illegal Fishing On West Papua’s Economy and Environment – Illegal fishing practices are still prone to occur in West Papua Province.
Marine crimes, especially illegal fishing, must concern the central and local governments. All parties must realize The impact of illegal fishing on West Papua’s economy and environment.
What is Illegal Fishing?
Illegal fishing is a form of action by fishermen to fish illegally or not with a sense of responsibility. This action harms existing aquatic resources.
Many parties are also affected, one of which is traditional fishermen.
This illegal activity is motivate by utilizing fishery resources in Indonesian waters.
Unfortunately, the high need for the competitiveness of marketers meets in a way that is outside the provisions.
The standard way the fishermen do this is Illegal Fishing with a bombing at the bottom of the sea.
In addition, fishermen also often catch with Trawl fishing gear and drag trawlers and trawlers.
All types of Illegal Fishing are solely for fishermen’s satisfaction in getting many results, but these actions can damage underwater ecosystems such as fish and coral reefs.
Endangered species will continue to increase if these activities cannot be stopped.
Fish bombing at the bottom of the sea has a very complex impact, damaging the ecosystem and related to the future of humans.
Similarly, trawling damages coral reefs and destroys the fish income of traditional fishermen.
Impact of Illegal Fishing
The practice of illegal fishing cannot be say to be commercially profitable. Although the anglers get a large number of fish, the fact is that many dangers threaten in the future.
The impact of illegal fishing on West Papua’s economy and environment are as stated.
1. Impact on the Economy
The impact of illegal fishing affects the economy of the country as well as the local community. The large number of marine products stolen by illegal fishers results in low revenue for the government.
This problem is severe that the country will continue to face it. Indonesia is surround by water, making illegal fishing a common occurrence.
The continuous exploitation of marine products causes the country’s economy to decline, threatening the community’s welfare.
The marine resources that were suppose to be the land of work for them are no longer reliable.
Marine products continue to decrease due to massive exploitation.
The social cost of illegal fishing is that local fishermen will lose out on the competition, reducing their livelihoods. Illegal fishing harms local fishermen who fish honestly.
Local fishermen are not free to go to sea because the perpetrators of illegal fishing have controlled marine resources.
So, the income from fishing is not as much as that obtained by illegal fishing perpetrators. That way, many local fishermen lose money.
2. Impact on the Environment
Illegal fishing destroys fish populations and affects marine ecosystems, reducing opportunities for legal fishermen and impacting the sustainability of the fishing industry.
Some of the losses caused by illegal fishing include damaging the sustainability of fish in Indonesian seas. Most endangered species of coral reefs is caused by illegal fishing.
Destructive fishing techniques include the use of Potassium Cyanide.
This activity causes environmental damage due to the loss of habitat on the seabed due to the use of fishing gear.
The impact of illegal fishing on West Papua‘s economy and environment is detrimental.
So, the government should act firmly in the name of the law to impose harsh sanctions on the perpetrators.