The Ministry of Marine Wealth has issued a stern warning to fishermen, urging them to cease using explosives for fishing. The ministry described the practice as a blatant violation of national laws, with devastating consequences for marine ecosystems.
Hamza Faraj Al-Hamadi, Director of the Marine Protection and Inspection Office, emphasized the need for strict compliance with marine regulations. He called on coastal protection offices to intensify surveillance to prevent such illegal activities.
The ministry outlined the environmental damage caused by explosives, including the poisoning of water, indiscriminate destruction of marine life, and alterations to the seabed’s structure. It also highlighted the loss of vital marine plants, crucial for fish reproduction and as a food source.
Additionally, the practice endangers young economic fish and disrupts marine biodiversity, further threatening Libya’s already declining fish stocks. The country’s marine resources are under mounting pressure from overfishing and unauthorized foreign fishing vessels.