Authorities will be able to issue environmental ‘spot fines’ when new regulations pass

As of Thursday, March 7, 2024

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune News Editor

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

AUTHORITIES will be able to issue spot fines ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 for a variety of environmental infractions when legislators pass newly released environmental regulations.

Under the Environmental Planning and Protection (Spot Fines) Regulations, 2024, law enforcement officers could issue a $1,000 spot fine for the unauthorised use of single-use plastic bags, utensils, and styrofoam food containers.

Obstructing environmental officers or assaulting officers in the execution of their duty could result in a $5,000 fine.

A $10,000 fine could be issued for beginning project works without approval of a Certificate of Environmental Clearance, not complying with a Closed Area Order, or falsifying or providing misleading information.

A $15,000 fine could be issued for breaching a scientific research permit, unlawfully exporting or transferring biological resources and failing to comply with any condition specified in a permit.

Damaging coral reefs, failing to comply with a notice of non-protected wildlife, not complying with environmentally sensitive areas and species orders, not complying with a Pollution Control Permit, discharging hazardous substances in Bahamian waters, conducting research without a Scientific Research Permit, damaging the environment, unlawfully possessing biological resources, not complying with conditions specified in a certificate of environmental clearance and soliciting unauthorised confidential information could all incur a spot fine of $20,000.

Last year, environmentalist Joe Darville welcomed the government’s intention to introduce spot fines.

“That type of law is adequate and should have been in place a long time ago so that there is adequate compensation,” he said.

Sickened 1 month, 3 weeks ago

Damn! The fines are higher than bail for murder or attempted murder. I guess government is setting the enforcement officers up to get shot? This government has lost its mind. Crazy greedy and for what? No bid, secret contracts.

bahamianson 1 month, 3 weeks ago

So, what about freedom of information act? You'll can do this crap , but have no time to prevent political corruption? Well, we see what is important and what is not. The government has to be getting pressure from the larger bully countries for it to do this under the guise of night, just like they did with the law that mad3 homosexuality criminal.

ThisIsOurs 1 month, 3 weeks ago

And keep them secret

Dawes 1 month, 3 weeks ago

But we don't enforce any laws this this won't happen. We have laws to cover everything already but people still run red lights, bring stuff in without paying duty and politicians never disclose their wealth and nothing happens. This will just be added to the long list of those items on the books but not enforced.

The_Oracle 1 month, 3 weeks ago

Note that all legislation passed since 1992 includes "summary conviction" and now "Spot fines" thereby bypassing a citizens right to their day in court. But no one says a word....... Couple that with selective enforcement.........

Apostle 1 month, 3 weeks ago

The Bahamas say these are banned, but Customs still clear them. The $20,000 fines should be to those officers who clear them and the $100 fine for the users. The thing is the major countries like the United States and the United Kingdom that pushed this ban down our throats still use plastic bags and utensils. This is hogwash and the government is going to hell on a silver platter like a screaming jumping fish. I am not impressed.

We should focus on recycling. Certain types of plastics, such as PET, which accounts for 75% of all plastics can be disposed of through chemical recycling. This process uses a variety of chemicals to reduce a polymer to its original form. This means that it can be used again to create new plastic materials.

We use plastic for water bottles, storage containers, blenders, cooking spoons and some dishes, wrap for our meats, sale of virtually everything in the store except metal cans then we use the plastic bags to carry them home. Then we have or glasses, syringes, interior of our refrigerators, car bumpers and dashboards and interior, our household equipment, medical equipment computers and toys. I guess next we will carry our pots to the grocery store. But the government wants to fine us $20,000 for 'MISUSE' of plastics. How?

We pay an environmental levy of many of these items now and yet the government is not recycling any of our old refrigerators and microwave and cars. What is happening with that millions of dollars?

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