The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) yesterday backed the Government’s decision to again close the Nassau grouper season, in a bid to preserve a species whose population has declined by 60 per cent over the past three decades.
The Trust, in a statement issued yesterday, said conservation now would help to ensure a sustainable industry, and income, for generations of Bahamian fishermen to come.
The Nassau grouper has seen a high rate of decline in population size across its range. It is estimated that the global population has declined by about 60 per cent over the last three generations (27 – 30 years).
The BNT said the Bahamas is one of few countries that still have an economically viable population of Nassau grouper, and its seasonal spawning aggregations must be protected during the reproductive period.
The BNT encouraged Bahamian fishermen to support the ban on the harvesting of the Nassau grouper during this critical period.
The Government has closed the grouper fishing season from December 1, 2013, until February 28, 2014.
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