The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

AGRICULTURE and Marine Resources Minister V Alfred Gray revealed the government’s plans to regulate the country’s sport fishing industry with the aim to give local guides exclusivity in the area.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources yesterday, Mr Gray said that despite years of non-regulation, the fly fishing industry has benefitted most Bahamian sport fishermen.

According to Mr Gray, the government “felt it necessary” to impose necessary rules to ensure that the marine environment is protected and that sea life is sustained.

He indicated that the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources has completed draft regulations following preliminary consultations with some industry stakeholders and a number of agencies of the government.

The proposed draft regulations if implemented, propose various changes to the Fisheries Act, mainly, the allowance for orderly growth and development of the fly-fishing sector.

Mr Gray yesterday stressed that the draft proposal was being provided to act as a catalyst for public discussion on the matter. He added that the ministry has scheduled a conference for June 29 for industry stakeholders, presenting them a forum to communicate their concerns on the matter.

“Let me emphasise that the draft provided and being released today on our website and otherwise is for public review and suggestion only. The final document will be prepared once the consultation is completed,” he said.

“As of today (Wednesday), the consultative draft regulation will be available on the government’s website, at the administrative offices in the Family Islands, from all offices of the Department of Marine Resources and my ministry’s head office.”

The MICAL MP urged stakeholders to embrace this opportunity to take part in this consultative process.

“The aim is to build a stronger fly fishing sector in the Bahamas for the overall benefit of Bahamians and visitors alike,” he said.

Once the proposed regulations pass through the consultative process it will be presented to Cabinet.

If approved by Cabinet, the regulations will be passed onto the Office of Attorney General to be crafted into a bill and then presented in the House of Assembly.

Mr Gray indicated that his ministry is working with a three-month timeline to get the legislation to Parliament.

“I am driving this, and I want it to become law in the shortest possible time but leaving no stone unturned,” he said. “We want to do it right the first time, so I believe by September, all things being equal, we should be able to present this bill to Parliament.”

According to statistics provided by the Department of Fisheries, the fly fishing industry adds about $142m annually to the Bahamas’ economy through tourism.