And so it continues. The PM on one side, the Minister for Fisheries on the other.
Here’s the latest article from the Tribune.
Some thoughts.
These folks claiming the sky would fall if the regulations are revoked… I mean… that would just revert to the situation the flats have been in since, I don’t know, Bahamian Independence.
The threats to fisheries of the Bahamas go something like this…
- Over-harvest of conch and lobster.
- Poaching from foreign vessels (like from the DR).
- Increased demand for unsustainable catches by countries who are buying into the Bahamas in a big way, like, oh, let’s say China.
- Development that destroys nursery habitat or impacts spawning aggregation sites.
- Netting.
- Global Warming.
- Lionfish.
754. Impact of catch and release bonefishing.
But, yeah, by all means, let’s put in place some ill-thought-out regulations to regulate issues that don’t exist and let’s throw in some xenophobia, some protectionist propaganda, some fear mongering and let’s also ignore all those concerns voiced by the people who actually contribute financially to the industry.
Also… let’s make it hard to get a license (like not making it possible to get one on a weekend or holiday).
Way to go guys. Bang up job.
Cindy and the Abaco guide’s association must be tired of constantly having to issue rebuttals to this sort of idiocy. I don’t envy them.
Here is to hoping the PM wins on this one. Also, let’s hope Fisheries loses this bit from their portfolio and it heads over to the cooler heads at Tourism.
- If you liked the story above, check out these stories below
- How to destroy the Bahamas, a Guide (1.000)
- This is what the voice of reason sounds like (1.000)
- Some more thoughts about the proposed Bahamas flats regulations (0.926)
Tags: Bahamas, fly fishing, Regulations
