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Stakeholders review proposals for greater regulation of Fly Fishing
By Llonella Gilbert
Jul 3, 2015 - 6:19:24 AM

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Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources the Hon. V. Alfred Gray addresses stakeholders at a consultative conclave to review and discuss the Consultation Draft Regulation and Legislations documents which detail proposed changes to the Fisheries Act and Regulations to allow for greater regulation of the Fly Fishing Industry in The Bahamas. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources the Hon. V. Alfred Gray met with a wide range of stakeholders at the Ministry, Monday, June 29, at a consultative conclave to review and discuss the Consultation Draft Regulation and Legislations, which detail proposed changes to the Fisheries Act and Regulations to allow for greater regulation of the Fly Fishing Industry in The Bahamas.

Minister Gray said the consultative conclave comes as the Ministry of Agriculture and the Government is deeply committed to the protection of the country’s marine resources, particularly the fly fishing industry, for the use and future employment of all Bahamians and visitors.

He explained that during the past few months, preliminary consultations with stakeholder representatives and a number of agencies were held before the Consultation Draft Regulation and Legislations were prepared.

“On June 17, I made a public call for comments on those documents and they were broadly distributed, primarily distributed by electronic means, and also announced the intention to hold this meeting today.”

Minister Gray said, “the Government fully recognises the importance of this sector of the fishing industry as a component of the tourism product of The Bahamas that provides employment for fishing guides, lodge operators, taxi drivers and other businesspersons throughout islands of The Bahamas.”

Stakeholders.jpg
Stakeholders attend a consultative conclave to review and discuss the Consultation Draft Regulation and Legislations documents which detail proposed changes to the Fisheries Act and Regulations to allow for greater regulation of the Fly Fishing Industry in The Bahamas. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

Officials from the Ministry of Tourism were present at the conclave, as the Minister noted that the customer base for the fly fishing sector of the fishing industry comprises visitors to the country.

Also in attendance were stakeholders from throughout the Outer Islands.

Minister Gray explained that the Government wants to prepare legislation that will regulate this sector of the fishing industry and to provide rules to govern those who participate in it, whether as fishermen, guides or lodge operators, and to ensure that the marine environments upon which the fishery is based, are preserved and protected for future generations.

“It is further expected that the changes which will eventually be implemented, will result in the further development of the sector.”

The Minister said hundreds of comments have been received from stakeholders including lodge operators, second homeowners, Bahamian fishing guides, regular and occasional visitors to The Bahamas and tour operators.

He encouraged those stakeholders present at the conclave to also give their opinions and suggestions during the open discussions. “I urge all stakeholders to embrace this opportunity to participate in this consultative process, to build a stronger Fly Fishing sector in The Bahamas for the overall benefit of the industry and the Bahamian people.”


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