Success in Bahamas--Government Rules Against Purse Seine Fishing

By Jim Field

Chalk one up for the fish....for now. Confronted by a wave of resistence to a petition to allow purse seine fishing--a method involving the dragging of nets at deep depths, catching anything in the nets' path, indiscriminately, producing, predictably, a huge bycatch of billfish and other endangered species--in its waters, the Bahamian government decided to reject the idea. May the record show that I, your humble writer, did send an email to Minister Cartwright (his portfolio??), asking him to demonstrate courage in the face of commerical fishing interests and think instead of the fish--and, oh yes, almost forgot, also the BIG BUCKS that flow into his country from tourism and sportfishing!

Here's the celebration message form the Billfish Foundation:

The Billfish Foundation wishes to thank all of you who spoke out against the issuance of a permit for purse seine or net fishing to operate in Bahamian waters and to applaud the Bahamian government for rejecting the petition.

A public meeting was held Monday evening (March 1, 2010) and the overwhelming majority of those present spoke out against issuing a permit. After the meeting, the government issued the following statement:

"Having regard to the importance of sportfishing to the Tourism Industry...legislation will prohibit the use of purse seine or net fishing to ensure that all fisheries resources, including migratory fish, are maintained at a sustainable level."

TBF President Ellen Peel and scientist Russell Nelson sent a strong statement that was read during the course of the meeting. Peel and Nelson both argued against the possibility of authorizing the use of purse seine gear or net fishing in the waters of the Bahamas. They cited not only the irreparable harm such practices would cause to billfish resources and other marine species, but also the negative impacts to sportfishing tourism.

A job well done to the TBF folks. If I had real money, I'd quit my current job and go do what they're doing for the planet and our sport.