But Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries V. Alfred Gray said Monday it was implemented with fishermen’s best interest in mind. The ban expires Jan. 31.
“I think we are doing exactly what needs to be done in order to preserve what we believe is a very important part of the fishing industry for future Bahamians,” said Minister Gray. “And, that’s my only goal.”
When the ban came into affect, several fishermen pleaded with the minister to push it to next month so they could bounce back from a slow season and support their families, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
Fishermen also described the behaviour of Dominican poachers who harvest fish in Bahamian waters because government lacks the necessary funds and boats to properly patrol grouper spawning areas.
At the announcement of the ban, the minister assured that 13 boats were being readied as well as an aircraft, “to look out for poachers.”
Bahamian fishermen initially threatened to ignore the ban. However, Royal Bahamas Defence Force vessels have been regularly patrolling the grouper spawning areas and according to Mr. Gray, “My department of fisheries is, in fact, conducting spot investigations and to date it seems as if it is holding with about 15 days to go.”
Mr. Gray maintains his position that there are other alternatives to the Nassau grouper, such as snappers and other fish.
By Khashan Poitier, The Nassau Guardian
