From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Service Organizations
EARTHCARE Eco Kids learn about sustainable fisheries
By Gail Woon
Apr 11, 2017 - 10:29:43 PM

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EARTHCARE Eco Kids going on the Glassbottom Boat tour.

Freeport, Grand Bahama Islad - Gail Woon, Founder and Director of EARTHCARE and a Director of Save The Bays, “On April 8th, 2017, the topic for the EARTHCARE Eco Kids was Sustainable Fisheries. David Rose, veteran commercial fisherman of 40+ years addressed the EARTHCARE Eco Kids at the Kevin Tomlinson Academy.

David spoke about overfishing the Little Bahama Bank, the use of National Parks and enforcement, limiting the lobster season, protecting large lobster of 5 lbs+ as breeders and more.

According to Rose, “Over the last 50 years, fishing on the Little Bahama Bank has increased and with the addition of new technologies e.g. Global Positioning Systems (GPS), underwater breathing apparatus, and the unfettered use of man-made lobster habitats/shelters, these increasingly efficient fishing methods have depleted the Little Bahama Bank past the point of commercial endangerment.

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EARTHCARE Eco Kids feeding yellowtail snappers on Reef Tours Glassbottom Boat.

The National Parks throughout The Bahamas can and will increase fish stocks, however, only if proper management and enforcement are applied. Passing of laws on sharks and turtles in The Bahamas, while it was a step in the right direction, Government should consider passing laws on lobster fishing, shortening the fishing season length and protecting lobster over 5 lbs as breeders.” A question and answer session ensued.

The lecture was reinforced by the EARTHCARE Eco Kids being treated to an amazing two hour trip out over coral reefs and sea bed in a glass-bottom boat. For some of them, it was a first time experience, and the excitement and experience will be remembered forever. EARTHCARE Eco Kids hail from the following schools on Grand Bahama: Bishop Michael Eldon School, Martin Town Primary, Sunland Baptist Academy, Freeport Primary, St. Paul’s Methodist College, Beacon School, Hugh Campbell Primary, and Freeport Gospel Chapel School.

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EARTHCARE Eco Kid, Sarah Gardiner, Hugh Campbell Primary on the Glassbottom Boat.

Captain Henrick remarked, "On April 8th, it was the first really nice weather day. The seas were calm and the conditions are the best I have seen for some time. The kids are lucky today.”

David said, “The students very much enjoyed our field trip on the glass bottom boat and the children were very interested to learn about the environmental challenges that are facing The Bahamas. We are the first species on the planet that can really solve problems and I think our future is bright for the human race and the planet."

EARTHCARE would like to thank our speaker, David Rose, our sponsors, Kevin Tomlinson Academy, Reef Tours, H. Forbes Charter, Havana Gibson and Savanna Gibson, EARTHCARE Eco Kids Team Leaders, Audrey Jolly and Tyrie Moss, EARTHCARE Eco Kids Facilitators, and the parents/guardians who without their support this programme would not be possible.

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EARTHCARE Eco Kid, Tylea Manchester, Beacon School on the Glassbottom Boat.



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Shark viewed from the Glassbottom Boat glass panel.








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