The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN fishing vessels are the most productive in the Caribbean due to the “high market value” of crawfish and their other catches, a study has revealed, although less than 18 per cent of the industry’s workforce has received formal fisheries training.

A recently-released Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) report on poverty levels in Caribbean fishing communities, found that while Bahamian fishing vessels did not generate high catch volumes compared to their regional counterparts, this was more than offset by prices 54-56 per cent higher than the next-best nation.

But, despite the good news on productivity, the study - which assessed the Bahamas and nine other Caribbean nations - also highlighted some weaknesses and concerns for the fishing industry in this nation.

Apart from the workforce’s relatively low training levels, just 3 per cent of the Bahamians surveyed said they felt involved in the decision-making process when it came to setting legislation, policy and regulation for the sector.

The report, which gained responses from 104 Bahamian fishermen and five workers in the industry’s processing arm, also disclosed that only 39 per cent were participating in the National Insurance Board’s (NIB) social security programme.

And, while no Bahamian fishing households were found to be living in poverty, the CRFM report said 5.61 per cent of homes - in central and north Andros, plus Abaco - were “vulnerable” due to issues in accessing services, education and other education woes.

“Some vulnerable households from North and Central Andros do not earn enough to reach the US$ 1,500 per year to cover the necessities of each household member,” the report found.

Still, on the positive side, Bahamian fishing vessels lead the Caribbean when it comes to productivity.

While average low season and high season catches, of 138.92 and 379.34 pounds per vessel did not rank especially high among CARICOM states, this was more than compensated by the price buyers were willing to pay for Bahamian delicacies such as crawfish.

During low season, the average $821.20 received per vessel ranked the Bahamas the highest in the region. And landed prices, of $5.73 per pound and $5.56 per pound respectively, placed the Bahamas as the CARICOM leader on both counts - between 55-57 per cent ahead of their nearest rivals.

“In economic terms, Bahamian vessels are the most productive ones,” the CRFM study found.

“The volume of catch is not high, but their target species reach a high market value, making the revenue generated by the fishing vessel one of the highest in the CARICOM region.”

The study also placed the Bahamas as the CARICOM leader on physical vessel productivity per hour, generating $106.80 and $274.54 per hour in low season, and high season, respectively.

And it was a similar story when productivity was measured by crew members, the Bahamas coming out on top with a $12.78 hourly yield per effort at work.

“Barbados and the Bahamas, followed by Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are the most productive countries in both pounds landed and dollar generated by crew member,” the CRFM study confirmed.

While Bahamian fishermen and vessel owners frequently invested in upgrading their boats, and enhancing and replacing their equipment, most had to do this via their own savings. Only one-third had obtained loans to finance their business, indicating access to credit is an issue.

“A considerable interest in investing in the modernisation of the fleet has been noted,” the CRFM report said of the Bahamas.

“Some 68.9 per cent of respondents claimed to have spent money from their savings in the last five years to purchase equipment,and a smaller percentage have purchased boats, engines and traps.

“Ninety-three per cent of respondents claim that in the next five years they will invest in improving their fishing equipment. Buying new boats, fishing equipment and traps continue to be the main objectives of fishermen.

“To do this, fishermen will make use of their own savings. Only 33.72 per cent of fishermen interviewed had ever received a loan for their income-generating fisheries activities. Only 35.29 per cent of fishermen interviewed claim to have access to loans.”

Other weaknesses identified by the CRFM study included skills/training, and social security protection for the 8,800 Bahamians said to be directly working in the fisheries industry.

“Taking into account the results of the study, only 17.31 per cent of respondents in the Bahamas have received fisheries training,”the report said, placing this nation among the bottom tier of CARICOM states in this regard.

“This low figure indicates that fisheries training should be enhanced. Training should not only be oriented to improving the quality of fishery products, it should also be conducted to guarantee crew’s safety and to improve fishing efficiency. In addition, it can be used to open up new avenues of income if it is decided to invest in processing and marketing.”

As for social security, the CRFM report added: “In the Bahamas, 39 per cent of fishermen interviewed said that they were participating in a social security system, with only 1.92 per cent claiming to have received a government subsidy in the last five years, and 13.46 per cent have received some form of non-governmental financial assistance.

“Participation in a social security system should be promoted among the members of the extractive fishing sector so that they are able to receive both short-term and long-term social benefits.”

The report also revealed that 68 per cent of the Bahamian fisheries industry’s workforce was aged between 36 to 55 years-old, indicating it was having difficulty in attracting younger recruits from the under-35s age group. Just 14.14 per cent of the current labour force was aged between 15 to 35 years-old.

“The study shows that Bahamian fishermen do not feel that they are involved in the decision-making process ,as they are not consulted by the fisheries administration as individuals or through an association,” the CRFM report said.

“Furthermore, fishermen only have an average level of knowledge concerning the existence of national or regional strategies and management plans, with only 38 per cent of fishermen interviewed being familiar with them.

“Nevertheless, almost all of them (99 per cent) were familiar with laws and regulations related to their sector.”

At a subsequent workshop held to review the study’s findings, the Bahamian representatives, W. Gregory Bethel, senior economist at the Department of Marine Resources, and Cherely Kelly, chief welfare officer at the Department of Social Services, were recorded as challenging some of the report’s findings.

The workshop notes stated: “The representative from the Bahamas expressed some surprise at the major age range of fishers being 35 – 55, noting that there is need to attract younger fishers into the sector.

“He also indicated his surprise that only 17 per cent of the fishers interviewed had indicated that they had received training, and that just 3 per cent felt involved in the decision-making process. He was of the opinion that they might have been more informed about the fisheries laws and regulations, and less about the fisheries policies and plans.”

And the notes added: “In response to a query as to whether the Bahamas intended to pursue aquaculture development, he indicated that studies have shown that it was feasible to develop aquaculture in the Bahamas, with likely species being identified. However, the fishers were reluctant to undertake such activities as they were getting good returns for their lobster and conch.”