The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

POLICE in the Berry Islands arrested three men yesterday for the possession of fresh crawfish during the closed season – a breach of the Fisheries Act.

According to reports, police acting on intelligence went to fishing houses in Chub Cay, the Berry Islands where they arrested the men after finding them in possession of a quantity of fresh crawfish.

The men, two 18-year-olds and a 41-year-old, were charged by police for possession of undersized crawfish and possession of a quantity of crawfish during the closed crawfish season.

They are expected to appear in court in the Berry Islands on May 29 to be formally charged. The closed season for crawfish is April 1 to July 31.

During this period, it is an offence for persons to take, capture or have in their possession, kill or offer for sale, any fresh or live crawfish without the written permission of Agriculture Minister V Alfred Gray.

According to the Minister, Fisheries Inspectors will be on alert to ensure compliance with the regulations during the closed season and violators will be prosecuted.

Persons possessing crawfish trapping permits, crawfish exporter’s licences and permits authorising the use of air compressors are reminded that these permits expired on March 31, 2014.

Also at this time all crawfish traps must be stored on land and all processors must file a report with the Department of Marine Resources stating the quantity of crawfish on hand as of April 1, 2014.

Processors wishing to export any crawfish during the closed season are reminded that they must obtain a special permit from the Department of Marine Resources to do so. The utilisation of air-compressors between April 1 to July 31, 2014 to aid in commercial fishing is prohibited.