SHOCKING dynamite fishing and random sand extraction in Dar es Salaam continue to pose serious threats to the environment and possible depletion of fish as coral reefs are destroyed at an alarming rate.

Addressing participants to a two day Climate Change Adaptation seminar that brought together experts and councillors of Temeke Municipality recently, the District Commissioner of Temeke, Ms Sophia Mjema said destruction of the breeding grounds of fish through dynamites jeopardized people's lives.

"Surveillance teams jointly formed by Temeke municipal authorities and Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism have encountered massive destruction of coral reefs near Koko-Beach and beyond.

It is not enough to punish perpetrators, but public education on environmental conservation is necessary. Depletion of fish will affect people's livelihoods," DC Mjema observed. Effects of climate change like floods, powerful sea waves, cyclones, high temperatures and drought, the DC added, are evident and destruction of the environment such as dynamite fishing, destruction of the mangrove forests and other related activities complicated the situation.

However, the administrator underlined the role of the community in preventing unruly acts, saying that villagers can help identify those behind dynamite fishing and indiscriminate sand collection.