The Tribune

THE crawfish season opens in the Bahamas tomorrow to much excitement, with many commercial fishermen and local receational boaters having already set out to sea in preparation.

August 1 is considered a bragging rights day with anticipation as to who will catch the most crawfish, the largest specimen and who dived the deepest, all while keeping the location secret.

The crawfish industry plays an important role in employing thousands of Bahamians and contributing millions of dollars to the nation’s economy.

With tomorrow’s opening of the season the Department of Marine Resources is advising compliance to the Fisheries Regulations to help ensure that these benefits will be available for further generations.

Persons found in violation or breach of the Fisheries Act will face penalties and prosecution in the courts.

In an official statement fishermen and members of the public are reminded that it is against the law to capture undersized crawfish, as well as egg-bearing or spawning crawfish. The minimum size limit for whole crawfish is three and a quarter inches carapace length. The minimum legal size limit on the crawfish tail is five and half inches length.

“All fishers capturing crawfish are required to have a measuring gauge to ensure that they are able to confirm full compliance with the legal size requirements,” the statement said. Persons interested in using an air compressor to harvest marine resources must first obtain a permit from the Department of Marine Resources.

Applicants must provide proof of Bahamian citizenship, such as a Bahamian passport, along with proof that they have received adequate training in safely diving while using compressed air. The air compressor permit allows the device to be used only between 30 to 60 feet of water.

Application forms for air compressor permits may be obtained from the department website at www.bahamas.gov.bs/marine resources, at the Department office, East Bay Street or the extension officers in the Family Islands.

The public is asked to report all suspected violations to the Department of Marine Resources at 393-1014, 393-1015 or 393-1777.

For information on the rules and regulations for the crawfish season, expert advice, tournament dates and results, informative features and photo galleries of fishing in the Bahamas visit the new look Bahamas Sport Fishing Network (BSFN) page at tribune242.com or bahamassportfishingnetwork.com.