( 1) Closure of Fishing at High Cay, Central Andros

(2) Closure of Nassau Grouper Fishing Throughout The Bahamas

The Bahamas Department of Marine Resources wishes to advise the general- public that the waters surrounding High Cay, off the coast of Central Andros will be designated as a "Protected Area" during the period 1 ^st January, 2010 to 28^th February, 2010. During this period all forms of fishing will be prohibited in the area around High cay as specified below.

The designated "Protected Are" is bounded in the North by latitude 24 ° 40'N, in the South by 24 ° 37.8'N, in the East by longitude 77 ° 40.8W, and in the West by longitude 77 ° 44'W, and encompassing an area of approximately seven (7) square miles.

The Department of Marine Resources further wishes to advise the public that the taking, landing, possessing, selling and offering for sale of Nassau Grouper will be prohibited during the period 1 ^st January, 2010 to 28^th February 2010 throughout The Bahamas. Further that any fish commonly known as "grouper", which is landed must be done so with its head, tail and skin is intact.

The Department of Marine Resources requests the cooperation of all fishermen and the general public in this regard. Persons found in violation of the above will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.