The Department of Marine
Resources wishes to advise the general public of the opening of the crawfish
season on the August 1, 2016 to the March 31, 2017.
The Department of Marine
Resources further wishes to remind fishers and all other members of the public
that the harvesting and/or of undersized crawfish is against the law and
persons are to cease and desist the practice of illegally harvesting these
resources. Fishers are also cautioned against capturing egg-bearing crawfish as
this practice further aids in the depletion of the crawfish stock in The
Bahamas.
Fishers are to take note of
the minimum size limit for whole crawfish is size of 3 1/4 inches carapace
length. The minimum legal size limit on the crawfish tail is 5 1/2 inches
length. All fishers capturing crawfish are required to have a measuring gauge
to ensure that they are able to confirm full compliance with the legal size
requirements.
Persons desirous of using an
air compressor to harvest marine resources must first obtain a permit from the
Department of Marine Resources. Applicants muss provide proof of Bahamian
citizenship, i.e. a Bahamian passport, along with proof that they have received
adequate training in safely diving while using compressed air. The air
compressor permit allows the device to be used only between 30) feet to 60 feet
and its legal use is to assist in the harvesting of marine resources from
August 1 to March 31 inclusive.
Application forms for air
compressor permits may be obtain from the website of the Department of Marine
Resources at www.bahamas.gov.bs/marine resources, at the office of the
Department of Marine Resources, East Bay Street or the extension officers in
the Family Islands.
Fishers are reminded of the
important role the crawfish industry plays in employing thousands of Bahamians
and contributing millions of dollars to the economy of The Bahamas. Compliance
to the Fisheries Regulations helps to ensure that these benefits will be
available for further generations of Bahamians.
The general public is
advised to report all suspected violations to the Department of Marine
Resources at telephone 393-1014, 393-1015 or 393-1777. All violators of the
Fisheries Regulations can expect to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the
law.
You can find all of the necessary information at www.bahamas.gov.bs.