Related: The Bomb Listener
How can you help?
1. Do not buy bombed fish. If it’s well below market price, there is a reason for it. If you continue to buy bombed fish, you’re helping to create a demand for it, hence more fish bombing will happen.
2. If you have the means and the opportunity, do give fishermen a job at a fair wage. An alternative livelihood to put food on the table may prevent them from quicker means of fishing, e.g. destructive fishing methods.
3. If you know of bombed fish being sold at your local market or people/businesses buying bombed fish, please report it to the local authority e.g. Department of Fisheries Sabah or the Malaysian police
4. If you witnessed a fish bombing incident and/or heard one while diving and/or snorkelling, please report it:
- Report the incident to your dive/snorkelling operator (who should report it to the Royal Malaysian Marine Police)
- Report the incident to the nearest Sabah Parks ranger station (if you are in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Pulau Tiga Park, Turtle Island Park, Tun Sakaran Marine Park or Sipadan Island Park)
- Report the incident to the nearest Royal Malaysia Police station in Sabah.
- Fill up the form at Reef Check Malaysia (you can attached photos of the site if you want) or you can simply text message Reef Check Malaysia at +6011 2532 7368 with the following information: Date, Time, Location at the time blast heard or seen, number of blasts heard.
For your safety, please try not to approach people/boats who are fish-bombing.