capture handling results in mortality of up to 75% of the organisms within less than 48 hours of capture. With such high mortality numbers, a greater number of fish must be caught in order to offset post catch death. Muro-ami Muro-ami is a destructive artisan fishing method employed on coral reefs in Southeast Asia. An encircling net is used with pounding devices, such as large stones fitted on ropes that are pounded onto the coral reefs. They can also consist of large heavy blocks of cement suspended above the sea by a crane fitted to the vessel. The pounding devices are repeatedly lowered into the area encircled by the net, smashing the coral into small fragments in order to scare the fish out of their coral refuges. The "crushing" effect on the coral heads has been described as having long-lasting and practically totally destructive effects. See also Environmental impact of fishing Sustainable fishery References External links Nevill, Jon (2007) Destructive fishing practices: definitions Destructive fishing practices: definitions - Conservation Science Institute Fishing problems: Destructive fishing practices - WWF Destructive fishing practices - European Commission Questions and Answers on Destructive Fishing Practices - European Commission Environmental impact of fishing Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing