Long Island residents are upset at two of their own, after they were found in possession of a large amount of Nassau Groupers but were not arrested and are roaming the island free.
“Everybody is upset that these men were caught red-handed with their catch during the ban period and no action have been taken against them except for the confiscation of their fish,” said one disgruntled fisherman.
“They should have been arrested and their vessel placed in police custody. Instead they were let off scott-free and that is not right,” he said. The government slapped a two-month ban on the harvesting of the Nassau Grouper on Dec. 13, as it moves steadfastly in its commitment to preserve the delicacy for future generations of Bahamians. The ban is to be lifted on Feb. 14, 2006.
During this period, local fishermen can expect that heavy fines will be levied against them, if they are caught taking, landing, processing, selling and offering for sale fresh Nassau Groupers. Illegal poachers can expect even stiffer penalties, which could include a large fine and incarceration, coupled with the confiscation of their vessel, equipment and catch.
The men were allegedly caught with their catch on Sunday, Dec. 18th. The Guardian attempted to contact the Officer-In-Charge of the Police Station in Long Island, but was told he was out office until today.
The Guardian’s source is claiming that the men are being treated differently from other residents who would have been immediately taken into custody.
The source alleged that the men were in possession of large amount of the Bahamian delicacy.
“Here it is the police took the groupers from these men personally on the shore but did not confiscate their boat, which is still in the water. If that were somebody else, they would have confiscated the boat down and locked them up but these men are free. This is a corrupt thing going on up here,” the man charged.
Information reaching the newsroom indicates that during the regular season, the prices of the Nassau Grouper can range from as low as $20 and skyrocket to over $100.
In an earlier statement, Fisheries and Agriculture Minister Alfred Gray said the ban is necessary to ensure that the commercial fishery for the Nassau Grouper in The Bahamas will be sustained for the benefit of present and future Bahamian fishermen and consumers.
Research has shown that The Bahamas is among the last areas where the Nassau Grouper is still in abundance and if preventative measures are not taken at this time, the fish could quite possibly face extinction.
Up to press time on Tuesday, the Guardian was unable to ascertain whether the matter had been reported to the Department of Fisheries and whether any action would be taken.
By: KEVA LIGHTBOURNE, The Nassau Guardian
