A new web site (www.boycottbahamas.com) lets visitors sign an electronic petition and post messages that are critical of the fee increase, which became effective July 1.
“Bahamian authorities have recognized the Florida boater as a great source of income,” the web site said. “The typical boater spends two to three days and probably spends in excess of $900. On July 1st, 2003, the government raised the rate by either 50 per cent or 300 per cent depending on the vessel
size…Obviously, the Bahamian authorities think they can squeeze more from the Florida boaters. It’s time to tell them that enough is enough!”
Permit fees were raised from $100 for all boats to $150 for boats up to 35 feet and $300 for boats longer than 35 feet on July 1. The fee covers up to four people for cruising, fishing and departure tax. However, a report in the July 9 edition of the Miami Herald claimed boaters were not informed about the increase until after it took effect.
According to a government press release, The Bahamas was increasing fees to cut down on overfishing, poaching, and pollution of Bahamian waters by some foreign boaters. The fees were also intended to cover the extra security costs at Bahamian ports of entry.
The Miami Herald quoted one Homestead boater as saying: “The Bahamas will surely feel the pinch of this new fee, as I know our yacht club will pass the word and will not travel to any of their islands in future.”
The web site is headlined “The Truth About Bahamian Travel” and asks foreign boaters to “make a difference today” by signing a petition and boycotting The Bahamas. Visitors are also directed to e-mail or fax specific individuals at various media houses and government offices in The Bahamas and Florida.
However, conservationists have complained for years about the practice of some foreign boaters who take huge amounts of fish and lobster from Bahamian waters after paying a small cruising permit fee.
Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation Chairman Sir Nick Nuttall has noted that “the Americans protect many of their fish while we welcome all and sundry to come and catch ours without, for all practical purposes, any enforced limits. We are not effectively protecting our resources from foreigners, let alone managing them for ourselves.”
By Tamara McKenzie, The Nassau Guardian
