The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Senior fishermen believe the face of the industry is changing, telling Tribune Business that with a younger generation being attracted to the profession it is no longer being viewed as the “last rung on the ladders”.

Adrian LaRoda, the Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance’s (BCFA) president, said: “We’re trying to change the face of the industry. No longer is the fishing industry considered the last rung on the ladder.

“We now have women who are coming in as operators and are making a fairly good living. You have fourth generation fishermen in several of the Family Islands, and you have second generation fishers here in the Bahamas operating one of the largest seafood plants in the country.”

He added: “I’m optimistic about the future of the industry. It is attracting a different set of people, the face of fisheries is changing. More electronics are being employed in the industry, which the younger generation is very keen on. I see younger people coming in and we’re going to continue to attract younger people coming in.

“We want to, at some point, have marine courses done in the school. The upcoming Marine Institute is a good thing. We support it 100 per cent.

We have enough manpower in the Bahamas so that we can put a crew on every Bahamian fishing vessel, and there is no need for foreign labour. If more people get into the industry there would be no room for poachers, because there would always be Bahamian boats out on the water,” Mr LaRoda said.

“There are some things that fishermen have to learn in terms of managing their business. That’s a shortfall that some of the guys have not caught up with yet.’
 The BCFA president said he fully supported the idea of local fishermen being armed at sea.

“I support fishermen being armed at sea. I do support it. It’s a necessary tool. You have to protect yourself. There is no quick access to law enforcement when you are out at sea. It’s better to be safe than sorry,” said Mr LaRoda.