A great satirical look at the Bahamas situation came out in The Drake’s on-line incarnation. I feel honored to have been mentioned for the small role I’ve helped play in keeping people informed.
One of the humorous items on the list was:
6) DIY angling still allowed, but only in two Designated DIY Zones: Swimming Pig Beach on Great Exuma, and Stingray Lagoon at the Atlantis Resort. DIY anglers must fish standing on one foot, wearing only a banana hammock, while singing “March on, Bahamaland.”
See, that’s funny because it sounds a lot like the Unguided Angler areas proposed by our pals over at the BFFIA.
It seems on the surface of things that they are not going to get their way with their long list of power-grabbing proposals. At least, ya know… on the surface.
So… is this it?
Recently, a Department of Marine Resouces spokesperson had this to say:
“It was also noted that there are persons and companies that offer accommodations throughout the Bahamas who cater specifically to DIY fishers. Given the significance of the DIY portion of the sector, the management measures being contemplated now will require these fishers to obtain a personal license to engage in flats fishing, provide access by these fishers to all fishing flats except those under special management, and also ensure that DIY fishers have the latest information with regard to catch and release methods and fishing etiquette in the Bahamas.”
See… that sounded pretty good at first glance, but I wasn’t the only one to wonder “So, what are these special management areas?”
Is that pre-spawn aggregation points or is that every easily accessible flat on Long Island, Acklins, Crooked, Eluthera and Cat? Basically, is this the Unguided Angler areas in different packaging? Maybe this is everywhere but good ole Singray Lagoon, more or less.
The warm cozy feelings are being replaced by the paranoid questionings as I’m starting to really want to see a map of what they are talking about.
What do you think? Am I being paranoid here?
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Tags: Bahamas, Regulations, The Drake
You should be! When a politician opens its mouth or releases a press update, they are probably lying.
Special management areas could not only be flats but dry land that cannot be crossed to access the flats…Sounds like there will be onerous restrictions forthcoming on where and when DIY anglers can fish . Kind of like the movie “Caddyshack” Caddies welcome to the open house at the Bushwood 1:00 to 1:15 pm Pete
We share the same level of paranoia because that was exactly what I thought when I read it the first time.