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 The Bahamian Commercial Fishing Minimize

Status of Fisheries

 

Globally, fish production has doubled from 45 million metric tons in 1973 to 91 million 1997. This increasing demand for fish has caused unprecedented strain on wild populations leading to collapses in many instances. In fact studies suggest that in the last 50 years the number of large fish in the world’s oceans have decreased by 90%. It is evident that there is a need for improved management strategies to safeguard this important resource.

 

The  Bahamian Commercial Fishing Industry is important both socially and economically to the Bahamas. Bahamians depend on marine resources for food, recreation and employment. Many Bahamians are employed in this area either directly as fishers or in the sale and distribution of products. In addition those in the tourism sector depends on a healthy marine environment.

 

The Department of Marine Resources within the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources  is responsible for the management and development of the industry. The government’s policy reserves the Bahamian fishing Industry for Bahamian Nationals, fishing vessels must be 100% Bahamian owned.

 

The Bahamas has large shallow banks in its Exclusive Economic Zone with a variety of habitats that sustain marine life. The fishing industry contributes on average about 2.5 % to the GDP with over 9,000 individuals employed in the sector 95% as fishermen.

 

Fishing Grounds

 

Most of the commercial fishing takes place on the shallow banks of the Bahamas. The Little Bahama bank is located in the north and larger Great Bahama Bank in the west central and southern Bahamas. Shallow water banks are also found adjacent to the southeastern islands. These banks provide about 45,000 square miles of relatively productive shallow fishing grounds.

 

The deep water fishing industry is not well developed in The Bahamas as it is more costly and intensive requiring specialized equipment and technology. However interest is increasing as fishermen attempt to diversify their catch.

 

 

The three main important fisheries in the Bahamas are:

 

Crawfish (Panulirus argus) – The value of crawfish landings have increased  ten-fold over the last twenty years and represents 40% of . Crawfish landings in the Bahamas represent the fourth largest in the world after Australia, Brazil and Cuba.

 

Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) – Reports have indicated that 60% of the conch harvested annually occurs during the closed season for crawfish. Conch

 

Scalefish – including species of grouper, snapper, jacks, grunts, hogfish, triggerfish and others.

 

 

 

Fishing methods and gear

 

Gear can be classified into five categories: The Fisheries Rules and Regulations regulate the use of fishing gear.

 

  1. Nets: Bully nets, seine nets
  2. Hook and Line
  3. Impaling gear: Hawaiian sling and spear
  4. Traps – fish pots, wooden traps (crawfish)
  5. Condominiums/casitas – aggregation devices used to attract crawfish by providing an artificial habitat.

 

Fisheries Conservation

 

The fishing industry provides food, employment for Bahamians. It also generates revenue through the sale of products both locally and abroad. Fishing is an integral part of Bahamian history and culture, therefore we must safeguard it:

 

  • We must Obey fishing regulations regarding size limits and closed seasons.- Crawfish season closes on the first of April, and we also have closed seasons for turtles, stone crabs and Nassau grouper.
  • Visiting fishermen must respect the daily bag limits.
  • Catch only as much fish as you need- leave some for later!
  • Support the Department of Fisheries’ initiatives to support the long-term maintenance of fish populations. Learn more about the Department of Fisheries and conservation Non-governmental organizations.
  • Respect the boundaries of parks and marine reserves that are there as fisheries replenishment zones to enhance the populations of fish, crabs, conch, crawfish etc.
  • Call on your government representatives and non-governmental organizations to build more marine reserves- we need them!

 

 

References

 

BREEF, MacAlister Elliott & partners Ltd. Fisheries management Action Plan for The Bahamas: Report to the Bahamas Department of Fisheries. 1998

 

Department of Fisheries. The Commercial Fishing Industry of The Bahamas.

 
      

Bahamian Fishing Regulations: Department of Marine Resources Minimize

Department of Fisheries
Summary of Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Regulations 1986

On 3 March 1986 the approved Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Regulations, 1986 went into effect. A summary of the main Regulations is as follows:

  1. Prohibitions
    1. Use of bleach or other noxious or poisonous substances for fishing, or possession of such substances on board a fishing vessel without the written approval of the Minister, is prohibited.
    2. The use of Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA gear) in the capture of any marine product or resource is prohibited.
    3. Use of firearms or explosives for fishing is prohibited.
    4. Spearfishing within the following areas is prohibited:
      1. one mile off the coast of New Providence,
      2. one mile off the southern coast of Freeport, Grand Bahama;
      3. two-hundred yards off the coast of all other Family Islands.
    5. Nets used for fishing must have a minimum mesh gauge of two inches. Exceptions to this are nets used for catching goggle-eyes and pilchards.
    6. Scalefish traps are required to have a self-destruct panel and minimum mesh sizes of 1 x 2 inches for rectangular wire mesh traps, and 1½ inches (greatest length of mesh) for hexagonal wire mesh traps.
    7. The taking of corals is prohibited.
    8. Construction of artificial reefs without the permission of the Minister is prohibited.
    9. Persons, except those with a Peddler's Permit or a Shop Licence, wishing to sell fish in New Providence must possess a Permit issued by the Minister.
  2. Crawfish
    1. An annual closed season from 1 April - 31 July;
    2. A minimum harvestable size limit of 3¼ inches carapace length or 5½ inches tail length;
    3. A permit is required for vessels trapping crawfish;
    4. Crawfish traps, unless otherwise approved, shall be wooden slat traps not more than 3 feet in length, 2 feet in width and 2 feet in height with slats placed not less than one inch apart;
    5. The possession of "berried" or egg bearing female crawfish is prohibited. Stripping or otherwise removing the eggs from "berried" females is prohibited.
  1. Conch
    1. The harvesting and possession of conch, the shell of which does not possess a well-formed lip, is prohibited.
  2. Turtle
    1. An annual closed season from 1 April - 31 July;
    2. A minimum harvestable size limit of 24 inches back length for green turtle and 30 inches back length for loggerhead turtle;
    3. The capture or possession of hawksbill turtle is prohibited;
    4. All turtles captured must be landed whole;
    5. The taking or possession of turtle eggs is prohibited.
  3. Scalefish
    1. The capture of bonefish by nets is prohibited;
    2. The purchase or selling of bonefish is prohibited;
    3. The catching of grouper and rockfish weighing less than 3 pounds is prohibited.
  4. Stone Crab
    1. An annual closed season from 1 June - 15 October;
    2. A minimum harvestable claw length of 4 inches;
    3. The harvesting of female stone crabs is prohibited.
  5. Marine Mammals
    1. The capture or molesting of marine mammals is prohibited. Persons may capture marine mammals for scientific, educational or exhibit purposes with the written permission of the Minister.
  6. Sponge
    1. A minimum harvestable size limit of 5 ½ inches diameter for wool and grass sponge, and 1 inch diameter for hard head and reef sponge.
  7. Aquaculture
    1. A permit is required to engage in aquaculture activities.
  8. Sportfishing  see new regulations at effective October 19, 2007
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