As an archipelagic
nation, Bahamians particularly in the family islands have long depended
on the resources from the land and sea to survive. For countless
residents in Abaco, Exuma and Long Island for example, fishing is not
simply a pastime to be enjoyed but it is a way of life and sustenance
for hard working Bahamian families. Sadly, the inability to see
fisheries as a truly viable industry has led to years of neglect, poor
regulation and increased poaching in Bahamian waters.
For years,
now Bahamian fisherman have complained about the consistent issue of
poaching on the part of Dominican fishermen, and to a lesser extent,
American fishermen, who have in recent years ravaged our marine life,
and threatened future breeding grounds for countless marine species. In
recent years the problem has become more widespread and infinitely more
dangerous as foreign fishermen, with no regard for the country’s
fisheries laws, or the delicate balance required to maintain our marine
ecosystems, have also engaged in open conflict on the high seas.
Bahamians will recall that earlier this year, officers from the Royal
Bahamas Defense Force were forced into a gun battle on the open water
after foreign fishermen on an illegal fishing vessel opened fire on
them.
That incident, which thankfully, ended without the tragic
loss of life however is proof that without immediate and sustained
government intervention, our people and our way of life will continue to
be threatened. So far, this and previous administrations have paid only
lip service to the idea of protecting the fisheries industry. In fact,
reported talks with government officials in the Dominican Republic –
where many poachers originate – have done nothing to stem the tide of
illegal fishermen. Additionally, the government has repeatedly ignored
calls by industry stakeholders to enact stiffer penalties as a mechanism
of deterring the practice and have failed to close the many loopholes
which allow foreign fishermen access to an industry which should be
reserved for Bahamians ONLY!
The Democratic National Alliance
proposes immediate amendments to the current fisheries laws which would
increase fines and penalties for poachers. In such cases, poachers
should face the maximum fines plus prison terms and vessels involved in
poaching should be confiscated and auctioned off with no chance of
release to the offenders in question.
Equally disturbing has been
the trend of boat thefts across fishing communities in the country.
Media reports have detailed the concerns of residents not just here in
New Providence but in Abaco and Exuma as well, where second homeowners,
who frequent those islands on board their personal vessels, have become
targets of such crime. In fact, the issue has become so prevalent that
many visitors are being warned not to bring their boats to our shores.
As a tourism destination, this does not bode well for the country’s
international reputation or the expansion of the second home market
which has continued to drive tourism in the family islands. More
importantly however, the increased number of boat thefts jeopardizes the
livelihoods of Bahamians who depend on the environment created by the
second home market for their own survival.
Again, there is a
need to ensure that the penalties for such crimes are increased and
actually enforced. The law in its current form allows a fine of $500 or a
sentence of 6 months to 7 years, depending on the discretion of the
Magistrate. In most cases, offenders receive the equivalent of a slap on
the wrist for what officials now classify as a non-violent offense. In
the grand scheme of things however, these crimes are violating offences
and cost a local fisherman, as well as our international visitors
thousands of dollars in addition to having other far reaching economic
implications. The reality is though, that despite the classification of
such offenses as “non-violent” the inability of the government and/or
the courts to properly address the concerns of industry stakeholders we
run the risk of such conflicts becoming violent as has already been see
in clashes on the water.
The DNA is committed to the idea of not
only protecting the fisheries industry but also as part of its plan to
address the way forward will require real input from those on the
frontline of the issue. We are prepared to not just listen but to act on
behalf of the thousands of families who depend on the ocean and its
bounty.
Ben Albury
President
DNA Business Alliance
