Earl Deveaux
01-28-04, - 10:17 PM
Conservation
By
Dr. Earl D. Deveaux
I congratulate the Minister Agriculture and Fisheries on the re-introduction of prohibition of fishing Grouper Aggregations for January 2004. It is regrettable, however, that despite all the information and support to the contrary, the prohibition has been limited to one month, rather than the full three months. I am nonetheless pleased with the action by the Minister.
I implore all fishermen and the Bahamian public to support this effort to protect the Bahamian (Nassau) Grouper by limiting their consumption of this endangered species and thereby reducing the demand during this period of vulnerability when the fish gather to spawn and reproduce.
Prior to serving as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, I became acutely aware of the compelling scientific evidence from around the world, telling of the collapse of important fisheries. In light of overwhelming evidence, in 1998 I established the policy to prohibit fishing during Grouper Spawning periods occurring at the peak period of November to December. I remain grateful on behalf of Bahamians everywhere to Sir Nicholas Nuttall, Mr Colin Callender, in particular and to the seafood processors, especially Mr Gurth Russell, Mr Anthony McKinney and Mr Glen Pritchard and the hundreds of fishermen all over the Bahamas for their early, vigorous intervention and support of an action that cost them money, inconvenience and considerable disruption of generations of fishing and eating habits.
The Bahamas was the first nation in the world to take this significant action. However, the Bahamas was one the few nations which still had grouper stocks to protect. This policy remains one of vital importance to the people of The Bahamas and the Bahamian way of life. The act was supported and enforced with the full concurrence of the Bahamian fishermen, scientists, and national and international conservation organizations. Many consumers agreed to reduce the consumption of Grouper during peak spawning periods.
Initially, in 1998, the prohibition was limited to High Cay of Andros and later extended to aggregations in Long Island. This vital conservation step must continue to ensure that current and future Bahamians and visitors could enjoy diving with grouper, studying them and dining on this fine delicacy, without fear of it being their last meal of Grouper.
The Bahamas has been fortunate thus far that its marine species have not completely ‘crashed’ like those throughout the region and many parts of the world. Now is the time for The Bahamas to be ever more diligent in the pioneering conservation practices that are required to ensure that our children, grandchildren and visitors continue to enjoy the precious and unique marine resources that God so bountifully bestowed within the Bahamas.
In this regard I note with alarm and great concern the arrival of a fleet of Korean Vessels at Morgan’s Bluff, Andros. The presence of these boats and what they potentially portend have sent tremors throughout the Bahamian fishing community. The Fishing industry of the Bahamas is one of the fairest systems of labour and reward in our society. The national fishing fleet is comprised in the main of small crafts equipped with outboard motors. Small (less than 20 feet) individually owned vessels land eighty percent of the fish caught by Bahamians. The rewards are extremely fair to labour and investment. As much as ninety percent of the returns go back to fishermen and boat owners who catch the fish. The health and productivity of the Bahamian fishermen of Long Island, Andros, Abaco Grand Bahama and Eleuthera is a testament to ingenuity and hard work.
It is difficult to imagine a more calamitous event than the eclipse of Bahamian fisheries.
Intense, localized fishing pressure will only exacerbate the already vulnerable species. The Minster of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Prime Minister, who himself served as Minster of Agriculture and Fisheries and who is intimately familiar with the sociological, economic and emotive impact the threat of intense fishing pressure represents are urged to protect Bahamian fishing resources. The fragile Bahamas marine environment cannot sustain the intense fishing pressure represented by the fleet of boats moored at Morgan’s Bluff.
Preserve the Bahamian way of Life and save the fishing industry for Bahamians.
__________________________________________
Comments and feedback on this article may be directed to this address:
earldeveaux@bahamasissues.com .
By
Dr. Earl D. Deveaux
I congratulate the Minister Agriculture and Fisheries on the re-introduction of prohibition of fishing Grouper Aggregations for January 2004. It is regrettable, however, that despite all the information and support to the contrary, the prohibition has been limited to one month, rather than the full three months. I am nonetheless pleased with the action by the Minister.
I implore all fishermen and the Bahamian public to support this effort to protect the Bahamian (Nassau) Grouper by limiting their consumption of this endangered species and thereby reducing the demand during this period of vulnerability when the fish gather to spawn and reproduce.
Prior to serving as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, I became acutely aware of the compelling scientific evidence from around the world, telling of the collapse of important fisheries. In light of overwhelming evidence, in 1998 I established the policy to prohibit fishing during Grouper Spawning periods occurring at the peak period of November to December. I remain grateful on behalf of Bahamians everywhere to Sir Nicholas Nuttall, Mr Colin Callender, in particular and to the seafood processors, especially Mr Gurth Russell, Mr Anthony McKinney and Mr Glen Pritchard and the hundreds of fishermen all over the Bahamas for their early, vigorous intervention and support of an action that cost them money, inconvenience and considerable disruption of generations of fishing and eating habits.
The Bahamas was the first nation in the world to take this significant action. However, the Bahamas was one the few nations which still had grouper stocks to protect. This policy remains one of vital importance to the people of The Bahamas and the Bahamian way of life. The act was supported and enforced with the full concurrence of the Bahamian fishermen, scientists, and national and international conservation organizations. Many consumers agreed to reduce the consumption of Grouper during peak spawning periods.
Initially, in 1998, the prohibition was limited to High Cay of Andros and later extended to aggregations in Long Island. This vital conservation step must continue to ensure that current and future Bahamians and visitors could enjoy diving with grouper, studying them and dining on this fine delicacy, without fear of it being their last meal of Grouper.
The Bahamas has been fortunate thus far that its marine species have not completely ‘crashed’ like those throughout the region and many parts of the world. Now is the time for The Bahamas to be ever more diligent in the pioneering conservation practices that are required to ensure that our children, grandchildren and visitors continue to enjoy the precious and unique marine resources that God so bountifully bestowed within the Bahamas.
In this regard I note with alarm and great concern the arrival of a fleet of Korean Vessels at Morgan’s Bluff, Andros. The presence of these boats and what they potentially portend have sent tremors throughout the Bahamian fishing community. The Fishing industry of the Bahamas is one of the fairest systems of labour and reward in our society. The national fishing fleet is comprised in the main of small crafts equipped with outboard motors. Small (less than 20 feet) individually owned vessels land eighty percent of the fish caught by Bahamians. The rewards are extremely fair to labour and investment. As much as ninety percent of the returns go back to fishermen and boat owners who catch the fish. The health and productivity of the Bahamian fishermen of Long Island, Andros, Abaco Grand Bahama and Eleuthera is a testament to ingenuity and hard work.
It is difficult to imagine a more calamitous event than the eclipse of Bahamian fisheries.
Intense, localized fishing pressure will only exacerbate the already vulnerable species. The Minster of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Prime Minister, who himself served as Minster of Agriculture and Fisheries and who is intimately familiar with the sociological, economic and emotive impact the threat of intense fishing pressure represents are urged to protect Bahamian fishing resources. The fragile Bahamas marine environment cannot sustain the intense fishing pressure represented by the fleet of boats moored at Morgan’s Bluff.
Preserve the Bahamian way of Life and save the fishing industry for Bahamians.
__________________________________________
Comments and feedback on this article may be directed to this address:
earldeveaux@bahamasissues.com .