The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet Minister has urged Bahamian fishermen to "take charge" of their industry following a heated meeting that produced little agreement on the sector's way forward.

Renward Wells, pictured, minister of agriculture and marine resources, lamented the many "diverging" views aired at Monday evening's meeting, citing the lack of industry support and consensus for why he had been unable to secure an extension of the grouper season that was proposed last year.

The idea ran into strong opposition from environmentalists and conservationists, but Mr Wells said it was the fishing industry's divisions that ultimately doomed the plan.

The grouper season traditionally closes on December 1 for three months, reopening at the end of February. Mr Wells said last September that the Government had given consideration to extending the season to help fishermen recover from Hurricane Irma losses.

"I made the suggestion that we would extend the grouper season for fishermen, and what ended up happening was the minute I made the announcement the environmentalists and conservationists made a statement saying it was a bad idea," Mr Wells said.

"When I went to the fishing community I said I want to do this for you all, and some of your leaders said they didn't agree with extending the grouper season. At the end of the day I was left alone to try and fight for you guys. Your industry didn't want it done. You guys should have come to the Ministry en masse. You guys can't sit back and let other people determine what happens in your industry."

Mr Wells' criticism over the lack of unity drew moans from those in attendance, with some fishermen questioning "who" had opposed the extension proposal. Fisherman Wilton McPhee said: "We had the storm; we got mashed own. I lost almost everything but I still had to put my shoulders to the wheel and go back at it. There was a rumour the minister was going to leave the grouper season open but it didn't happen. That really hurt."

Another fisherman, Herbert Kelly, said he was "heartbroken" over Mr Wells' remark that it was fishermen who had been against the grouper extension proposal. "These people can't be fishermen," he said. "There are no fishermen making these laws. This season has been rough. That really broke my heart when you said that the fishermen were against it."

That, however, was not the only issue fisherman expressed concern over. They complained about foreigners being allowed to work on Bahamian fishing vessels, with Mr Wells saying the issue supported his point that there are many "divergent" views on matters impacting the industry.

Adrian LaRoda, of the Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance (BCFA), said the organisation has been highlighting the issue. "We realise that it is an Immigration matter but there is a lot of conversation about consultation with the Department of Fisheries on issuing permits to foreigners working in the industry," he said.

"As the Fisheries Act stipulates, no foreigner is to be employed on any Bahamian registered vessel in any capacity save for an Immigration permit. Foreigners have been engaged in this industry for 20-25 years, and have not bothered to make themselves a citizen of the Bahamas.

"That says they have no intention of becoming a part of the system we are trying to correct or don't care about what happens." Mr LaRoda urged the Government to address its work permit policy on foreigners working in the Bahamian fishing sector.

Mr Wells replied: "What I have seen since becoming minister is that I have group of fishermen who say we don't want foreigners on our boats, don't let this group or these guys have permits to bring in anyone.

"However, some of the same guys who complain to me want the illegal Haitian and others working on the boat, and then I have a group saying the fishing industry should be for Bahamians. If you all are completely opposed to all foreigners working on your boats, let me know that is the decision of your industry. As a government we respond to what you would like to see take place. What is your desire? The flip side is also the issue that those who complain about the work ethic of our own people."

That point was highlighted by businessman B J Moss, who argued that many Bahamian fishermen seek the majority of profits without considering the costs boat owners incur. "I bleed aquamarine, gold and black, but I call a spade a spade," he said.

"I understand the issues with the Dominicans going in and what they do. That is something we need to deal with. I also know, and speaking from first-hand experience, when I get Bahamian fishermen they say they are not going on the boat unless they are sharing equal with the boat. When I ask them about repairs and who is going to deal with that, they say that it's my investment."

Mr Moss added: "I now, as a businessman who has made an investment, have to make a decision. Do I sit here and be proud of my Bahamian people and their work ethic and lose money, or say I want to feed my family, let me do what I need to do and get someone one my boat who is going to work.

"Guys aren't prepared to invest, but they want to take the lion share of the profits. I do not believe that the Bahamian investors ought to be hamstrung by guys who really could care less."

Fishermen also expressed serious concerns over depletion of the conch stocks, and the unsustainable harvesting practices of poachers and the use of compressors.