Crawfish production is on the decline in the Bahamas, but the significance of this has not yet been determined, according to Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Leslie Miller.
Crawfish or spiny lobster is considered the most important species in the commercial fishing industry in the Bahamas as it contributes more than 85 percent of the value of the recorded commercial fisheries landings in an average year.
Over the past five crawfish seasons, the average value of crawfish exports was $88.32 million per season, according to the minister. The most recent season’s exports were valued at $75.43 million.
“The exceptional production levels achieved several seasons cannot be taken as normal and the status of the crawfish stocks will continue to be an area of focus of the Department of Marine Resources’ work over the next fiscal year,” said Minister Miller, while contributing to debate on the 2006/2007 budget debate in the House of Assembly on Monday.
He said that besides providing employment and income to thousands of fishermen all over the Bahamas, this fishery supports many others in related economic activities.
“The sustainable utilization of this very valuable natural resource is of national importance,” Minister Miller said. “It is essential therefore that we make every effort to understand, and manage this resource and to place appropriate controls on the persons utilizing this natural resource.”
He said the harvesting of undersized crawfish remains a serious problem and is one that could threaten the fisheries industry.
Because of the high value of the item, according to Minister Miller, fishermen sometimes yield to the temptation of harvesting all of the available crawfish, regardless of size.
“The Department of Marine Resources will vigorously enforce the law in this regard and fishermen, seafood buyers, processors and exporters are hereby urged to comply with the law and help preserve the resource that sustains them.”
Turning his attention to the sports fishing industry, Minister Miller said some of the visitors who come to enjoy the Bahamas abuse the country’s marine resources.
“Fishing by visitors is to be for sporting purposes, not as an opportunity to finance a vacation, sell for profit or fill the freezers at home,” he said.
All over the Bahamas, citizens complain that the current sports fishing bag limits are too generous. The existing fisheries regulations relative to sports fishing in the Bahamas have remained essentially unchanged since 1986. Much has changed since then. The numbers of visitors of all kinds has grown tremendously and the pressure on the resources by so-called sports fishermen in some areas is significant enough to be seen as direct competition by some Bahamians.”
Minister Miller said that after very careful consideration and consultation with Bahamians throughout the country, he has initiated a process that will result in the current limits being changed.
All catch limits will be changed from being expressed in terms of “per person per day” to “per vessel per day”, he announced.
A new limit will be placed on crawfish from six per person per day to six per vessel per day.
The new limit on conchs will move from six per person per day to three per vessel per day.
The new limit on demersal fish (like snappers, in-season groupers, grunts etc.) will move from 20 pounds per person per day to 20 pounds per vessel per day.
For dolphin, kingfish and wahoo the new limit will be six per vessel per day as opposed to six per person per day.
Minister Miller said a catch limit will also be established for tunas, and a requirement will be established that all fish retained must be kept with head and tale intact until landed ashore to facilitate identification and eliminate the production of filets while the vessel is at sea.
He said similar reductions are proposed to the amount of fish a visitor can legally take out of the Bahamas whether travelling by boat or air.
Minister Miller also told House members that the Department of Marine Resources plans to employ additional staff members at select islands to assist in addressing law enforcement concerns.
“Vigorous prosecution by trained attorneys, and the appearance of prosecution witnesses presenting the government’s evidence and appropriate penalties are absolutely essential to successful prosecutions,” he said.
“Sadly, these elements have not always been in place, with the result of a mockery being made of the efforts to eliminate the poaching problem.”
By: Candia Dames, The Bahama Journal
