The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

EXPERT commercial diver and spear-fisherman David Rose believes that more national parks and protected areas for marine resources in Grand Bahama are needed to replenish the dwindling stock.

“In my lifetime, what was an ocean full of fish is now probably I think, conservatively speaking, 10 per cent left – that is not an awful lot,” he said.

The Bahamas National Trust is proposing to expand two of the three current national parks, which are very small in Grand Bahama, and establish two new sites to ensure the protection of marine resources.

Fritz Thompson, owner of Sweeting’s Cay Bone Fishing Club, is accusing the BNT of threatening the livelihood of area fishermen. He believes that extending the one-mile from shore fish restriction to three-and-a-half miles would put fishermen at a disadvantage.

Although Mr Rose was not certain about the exact parametres of the designated area or park zones, he said that national parks are a good idea.

“I applaud the idea and I think we should have more in the Bahamas than we do – the only way they are going to work is if there is some real enforcement out there,” he said.

He called for clarity on whether the parks will be no take zones.

“It is confusing to me and I don’t understand the parks not being no-catch zones because national parks are preserves, and this ought to be made clear,” said Mr Rose.

While fishing is the main livelihood for residents in East Grand Bahama and Sweeting’s Cay, Mr Rose said the fishermen down there know that bonefish is a protected species.

“It is strictly catch and release, you are not allowed to net, sell, or buy them,” he added.

He said that today there is not many grouper in the ocean.

“If you look at some of the bags, they are putting 10 to 12 groupers in one bag; that is a 50 pound bag and the minimum size is about three pounds – that is really too small,” he said.

Mr Rose believes that groupers should be a minimum size of maybe five or seven pounds so it has a chance of being a mating fish.

He stressed that management and preservation of marine resources is vital.

The BNT has held various town meetings in East End to discuss the proposed park expansion and to get feedback from residents. They want to expand the Lucaya National Park, which is comprised of a six-mile Lucayan cave system, and Peterson’s Cay National Park. They are also proposing to create two new parks, Northshore Gap National Park and East Grand Bahama National Park.