Researchers have warned that the sea life along the African coast is in danger due to the illegal trade of endangered marine species.

The non-profit group TRAFFIC, concerned with the wildlife trade, said that fishermen are using banned equipment, giving no caution to the harm they cause to the environment.

In its recent report, the group indicated that the number of lobsters, sea turtles, tuna, octopus, prawns, sharks, and sea cucumbers, has declined dramatically off the African coast.

According to the director of research at the TRAFFIC Institute, illegal dynamite fishing is still being practiced in remote parts of the coast where law enforcement is limited.

"This practice is very destructive because it indiscriminately kills any type of marine organism, including corals," TRAFFIC's official said, stressing that the destruction of coral reefs is very concerning as it is so crucial to the coral reef ecosystems.

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