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Blast fishing, an illegal and destructive practice, has plagued Sri Lanka for years, causing severe harm to marine ecosystems, human lives, and the vital tourism industry. This perilous method involves the use of explosives to indiscriminately kill fish, posing grave threats to both the underwater world and the well-being of the fishermen involved.

Rampant along the eastern coast, particularly in the Trincomalee region, blast fishing has escalated into a significant crisis demanding immediate attention and intervention, warns Rathna Gamage, Convenor of the All Island General Fisheries Federation. The consequences are dire: the marine life in the affected areas is devastated, coral reefs are damaged, and the seabed bears scars. The chemicals from the explosives further pollute the waters and render the captured fish unsafe for consumption.

Gamage emphasizes that the motivation behind blast fishing is the desire to amass a large catch in a short span. However, law-abiding fishermen, who hold a deep regard for the seas and marine life, have persistently urged the government to curb this harmful practice. Despite their appeals to various authorities, including the Eastern Province Governor, divisional secretaries, the Navy, and the Police, blast fishing continues unabated.

Herman Kumara, National Coordinator of the National Fisheries Solidarity Organisation (NAFSO), echoes Gamage’s concerns, highlighting that blast fishing inflicts irreversible damage to coral reefs and small fish populations. This poses a grave threat to the coastal ecology, jeopardizing its long-term sustainability. Notably, fishing grounds are destroyed, making the restoration of fish populations extremely challenging. Moreover, mature fish are indiscriminately killed, impairing the ability for fish to reproduce.

Kumara further points out that the explosion of dynamite in the water frightens fish that survive, causing them to vacate the area for extended periods, impacting small-scale fishermen and others who rely on these waters. Importantly, this perilous practice not only endangers fish resources but also the lives of the fishermen deploying dynamite and explosives, given the constant risk of accidents.

Beyond its environmental and human toll, blast fishing also bears economic consequences, affecting the nation’s tourism industry. Tourists visit Sri Lanka to relish its sun, year-round summer climate, and captivating coral reefs, often engaging in activities like snorkelling and scuba diving. However, when blast fishing depletes fish populations and damages marine ecosystems, it threatens the appeal of these activities, potentially deterring tourists and impacting the tourism sector.

Addressing blast fishing is not just an environmental imperative but also essential for safeguarding livelihoods, marine biodiversity, and Sri Lanka’s vital tourism industry.

In a historic feat, scientists from a joint Japanese-Australian expedition have successfully captured and filmed fish at depths exceeding 5 miles (8 kilometers) beneath the ocean’s surface. The expedition, led by Professor Alan Jamieson, chief scientist of the mission, achieved this remarkable discovery during a two-month voyage conducted by researchers from the University of Western Australia (UWA) and the Tokyo University of Marine Science.

The extraordinary find occurred in the Japan Trench, located south of Japan, where two snailfish, identified as the Pseudoliparis belyaevi species, were captured in traps set at a staggering depth of 8,022 meters. While the exact size of the fish remains unknown, this achievement marks the first instance of snailfish being caught below the 8,000-meter threshold. These snailfish are known to grow to a length of nearly 11 centimeters (4.3 inches).

The groundbreaking expedition also utilized remotely operated cameras, lowered from the research vessel DSSV Pressure Drop, to record an unidentified snailfish species swimming even deeper at 8,336 meters in the Izu-Ogasawara Trench, off the southern coast of Japan.

Professor Alan Jamieson, the founder of the Minderoo-UWA Deep Sea Research Centre, expressed his awe at the findings, stating, “The Japanese trenches were incredible places to explore; they are so rich in life, even all the way at the bottom.” He emphasized the importance of dispelling the notion that the deep sea is a frightening and mysterious realm, stressing that it constitutes a significant portion of our planet and merits comprehensive scientific study to understand its intricacies and how human activities impact it.

This remarkable discovery is part of a 10-year study aimed at unraveling the mysteries of the deepest fish populations on Earth. As scientists continue to explore the depths of the ocean, these findings open new windows into the astonishing biodiversity and resilience of life in the world’s most remote and extreme environments.

In a harrowing incident in the United States, a 40-year-old woman from San Jose, California, has tragically lost all four of her limbs due to a severe bacterial infection contracted from consuming undercooked tilapia. Laura Barajas, the affected individual, fell gravely ill after ingesting the contaminated fish, resulting in a life-threatening condition.

According to reports from the New York Post, Barajas was afflicted with Vibrio vulnificus, a highly potent bacterial strain known for its virulence. Her close friend, Anna Messina, recounted the ordeal, stating, “She almost lost her life. She was placed on a respirator, induced into a medically induced coma, and exhibited alarming signs such as blackened fingers, feet, and lips. She suffered from complete sepsis, accompanied by kidney failure.” Messina further emphasized the profound impact of the situation, saying, “It’s just been really heavy on all of us. It’s terrible. This could’ve happened to any of us.”

In a desperate bid to save her life, medical professionals were compelled to amputate all of Barajas’ limbs after the infection took a devastating toll on her body. Following an arduous month-long hospitalization, she now faces the formidable challenge of rebuilding her life in the absence of her arms and legs.

Vibrio vulnificus, a rare yet perilous bacterium, has garnered attention from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) due to its potential hazards. The CDC has issued warnings regarding the bacterium’s associated risks, reporting an annual occurrence of 150-200 cases of infections. Alarmingly, nearly one in five individuals infected with Vibrio vulnificus do not survive, succumbing to the illness within a distressingly brief span of one to two days.

In a concerted effort to combat India’s burgeoning trade deficit with China, the country’s trade ministry is forecasting a boost in exports to China over the next 4-5 months, driven primarily by shipments of marine products and gems and jewellery, according to insider sources.

A senior government official stated, “We are actively engaged in outreach initiatives, utilizing various events and trade missions. In the case of marine products, previous challenges, particularly related to shrimp exports, have been successfully addressed, resulting in a noticeable uptick in exports. China had imposed suspensions on imports from 99 Indian seafood processing and exporting units in 2020 due to Covid-related concerns. However, persistent dialogue and the diligent efforts of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), coupled with China’s post-Covid economic opening, led to the suspension being lifted in 2023.”

India’s exports to China encompass a range of marine products, including frozen shrimp, fish, cuttlefish, squid, dried items, as well as live and chilled products, with frozen shrimp constituting the largest share of marine exports to China.

Furthermore, there has been a notable resurgence in gems and jewellery exports to China. As the Chinese market undergoes a gradual revival, the broader opening of China’s economy is expected to provide a significant impetus to Indian exports.

To comprehensively address the decline in exports to China across various sectors, the country’s commerce ministry is conducting an internal assessment to identify the root causes and formulate strategies for rejuvenating exports in those sectors.