The Tribune

BY ANNELIA NIXON

TRIBUNE Business Reporter

anixon@tribunemedia.net

A BAHAMIAN fisherman, following the August 1 crawfish season opening, yesterday warned there is a rise in illegal off-season harvesting by local divers amid fears US tariffs on the country’s largest seafood export could result in higher prices.

Chuck Pinder, a veteran fisherman, said the price paid for crawfish this season remains uncertain, with many in the industry watching to see whether recently imposed US tariffs on Bahamian seafood exports will impact prices.

“I’ve been hearing the price opened at $10.50,” he said. “Not sure what it will settle at. If we don’t fix the US tariffs it will definitely play a role in the price.” 

His comments come as the Bahamian seafood sector continues to assess the fall-out from US trade measures introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration. As Tribune Business previously reported, exporters have warned that tariffs threaten the competitiveness of Bahamian crawfish with the US accounting for $50m-$60m of the country’s annual lobster exports.

While pricing remains uncertain, Mr Pinder said initial reports from fishermen already on the banks indicate catches have been mixed despite extensive illegal harvesting before the August 1 opening of the crawfish season.

“We’re understanding from the fishermen out to sea that they seem to be doing OK, but there’s still a lot of damage that has been done in the off-season from local fishermen fishing before the season opened,” he said.

“We actually have video of that taken on July 31. Fishermen were already off diving lobster from drone footage. We also have information from people that have been further out in the southern banks in the Ragged Island chain. On the first opening morning they found crawfish heads wrung out all over the shoals.

“So there has been a lot of off-season spearing by apparently locals, and Dominican poaching as well, all the way out in the Southern Banks. But despite that, the fishermen are still getting some. Some of them are making days. Some of them are not as good as last year. It’s all according to what area they’re in and how hard the area has been hit during the off season.”

Mr Pinder confirmed that illegal harvesting by Bahamians before the season opens has increased, adding: “It was also seen last year as well.” He identified the Southern Banks and waters off South Andros as the areas hit hardest by alleged illegal activity.

“From what we’re hearing so far, I haven’t heard anyone on the north-west bank talking as yet,” he said. “I think most of what’s been taking place out in the Southern Banks has taken place during the off-season to do with Dominican poaching, mainly.” 

Mr Pinder added that one incident captured by his family was separate from the recent arrest of a foreign national by Bahamas Wildlife Enforcement Network in Exuma that was recently reported.

“This is something totally different,” he said, adding that his son also observed another vessel with a compressor hose in the water before the legal opening of the season. Mr Pinder argued that stronger enforcement is needed to tackle both illegal harvesting by locals before the season opens and foreign poaching.

He also criticised what he described as a lack of engagement between the Government and the fishing industry, saying he had repeatedly attempted to contact the Minister of Marine Resources without success.

“The Minister of Marine Resources [Jomo Campbell] is silent on this subject,” he said. “I have messaged him all summer long to talk to him about this subject and he never returned my calls.” 

Mr Pinder further alleged that some vessels have been using compressors during the closed season to harvest conch illegally, and claimed there has been renewed commercial export activity involving the species.

He also alleged that processed conch has been exported from The Bahamas this summer after exports had previously been suspended, saying he had seen videos circulating on social media showing packaged conch prepared for shipment overseas. He argued that any such exports would likely increase pressure on conch stocks by encouraging illegal harvesting during the closed season.

Tribune Business was unable to verify those claims before press time. This newspaper contacted both the Department of Marine Resources and Mr Campbell, minister of marine resources and agriculture, seeking confirmation of whether commercial conch exports have resumed, as well as clarification on the country’s current export policy and any related approvals. No response had been received up to press time.

Mr Pinder said fishermen remain frustrated by what they see as limited consultation with the Government on issues affecting the industry. “We actually haven’t had a sit-down meeting with the minister of  marine resources in nearly five years,” he said. “It’s a lot taking place in our fishing industry that needs addressing, and we can’t get any answers from anyone. No one returns our calls.”

He added that while he has recently been able to communicate with Department of Marine Resources director, Lester Gittens, many of the industry’s wider concerns remain unresolved.