Effects of blast fishing on coral reef structure

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Effects of blast fishing on coral reef structure

PHOTOS

^{^{^{Tools
of the trade: fertiliser...}}}

^{^{^{..
and detonation fuses.}}}

The blast as seen from the surface. The damage it causes beneath is far more profound.

^{^{^{Huge
Porites bommies like this...}}}

^{^{^{...are
reduced to this.}}}

^{^{^{A
diver on a healthy reef slope.}}}

^{^{^{A
reef slope after blast fishing.}}}

Effects of a bomb blast. Compare with the intact coral (top left).

What used to be a huge table coral.

A healthy barrel sponge, Xestospongia testudinaria.

Slightly damaged from the blast, but still intact.

A badly damaged barrel sponge, which was probably very close to the point of impact.