The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Irate Bahamian fishermen are being forced to take the law into their own hands because they are convinced the Government is serious about cracking down on illegal poaching, the Bahamas Commercial Fisherman’s Alliance (BCFA)  president said yesterday.

Calling for fishermen  to arm themselves, Adrian LaRoda told Tribune Business that they were “fed up” with Dominican poachers wreaking havoc on this nation’s natural resources.

Mr LaRoda said he was advocating a “shoot first, ask questions later approach” as the Government appeared to not be serious about addressing fishermen’s concerns.

“This is something we have been trying to avoid for five years. Some guys are getting desperate. It’s bad out there,” said Mr LaRoda. With the crawfish season set to open on August 1, he said he was not optimistic over the potential yield for the commercial fishing industry.

“We are dealing with poachers who continue to come here and poach all year, and that has wrcked havoc on our resources,” the BCFA president said.

“Our fear is that this year is going to be worst than past years. We are not satisfied with the Government response to this illegal poaching issue. We are not sufficiently convinced that the Government is serious about their obligations to stop illegal fishing.

“Right now there are four Defence Force vessels docked. When you find that a poaching vessel can be within two miles of one of your major islands, that says something.  We’re not talking about small craft; we are talking about boats that are many times larger than 50 feet.”

Mr LaRoda said Bahamian fishermen were simply tired of talking.

“We are at the point where we are saying no more. The time is now for action. I have encouraged all fishermen to be armed. Matters have to be taken to another level. We are at the point where fishermen are losing their homes,” said Mr LaRoda.

“Bahamian fishermen are being marginalised. We have to abide by the laws and we are being told where we can not fish and when we cannot fish, but the Government isn’t getting serious about poaching.

“Also, the Government is now looking at expanding the protected areas, creating more marine parks. While we are not against that it is just creating more opportunities for poachers. We are not asking them to reinvent the wheel; we are just asking them to do what they are supposed to do and for the Defence Force to do what they are supposed to do. Why aren’t the fishing regulations being brought to Parliament? The Government needs to tighten up the laws and eliminate the loopholes.”