THE EFFECTS OF HUMAN POPULATION PRESSURE ON FISHING METHODS: FROM NETS TO DYNAMITE TO CYANIDE

Growingpopulation pressure has resulted in greaterfishingpressure in coastal zones. Normally this should have resulted in fewer yields per fisher; however, at national level, this expected reduction has not occurred, perhaps as a result of more dispersed fuhing grounds, changes in technology and more effective effort application. Furthermore, statistical data from Indonesia do not support the hypothesis that fishers ' absolute earnings are declining. The truth of this situation with respect to fishers active in the coastalfisheries (especially the coral reef fisheries) and the usefilness of government statistics in this regard, are examined. Traditional fisheries management methods are analysed, and their role in maintaining subsistence fisheries is assessed. In order to counteract the perceived or real losses of earnings, some inshore fishers are changing from traditional fishing methods to destructive, non-sustainable methods using dynamite or cyanide. Three such fisheries are examined: dynamite (blast) fishing, the use of cyanide to catch live foodfish, and the use of cyanide in the aquarium fish trade. An appraisal is made of which segment of thefihing community is using these methods, and why they are using them. Strategies to counteract the non-sustainable, reef-destroying methods are discussed: reducing open access and strengthening traditional management; providing alternative employment opportunities in ecotourism; developing sustainable culture methods and encouraging the use of less harmfil capture methods for aquarium species. 1