The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) yesterday waded into the debate over the new fly fishing regulations, its chief executive telling Tribune Business it is seeking to facilitate further discussions on the regime.

Edison Sumner confirmed to Tribune Business that Chamber representatives had met with the Bahamas Fly Fishing Industry Association (BFFIA) on Wednesday, in what he described as an “amicable and productive” meeting.

“It was initiated by some of the persons in the fly fishing industry who did not necessarily agree with all of the new regulations,” he said.

“The Chamber really took it upon itself to call together the persons in the industry. Some of the persons involved in the sector spoke to the Chamber on their concerns. We had representation at that meeting to try and understand what is in the regulations.

“What we are going to be doing now is hosting a series of other meetings with industry participants, and also with relevant government agencies, so we can make further recommendations to the regulations that were put into effect on January 9.”

Concerns persist over the new regulations for the fly fishing industry, which took effect on January 9. Approved by Cabinet last October, they require anglers above the age of 12, and who wish to fish in the flats, to apply for a personal angler’s license and pay a prescribed fee.

Non-citizens will have to pay $15 for a day license, $20 for a weekly license, $30 for a monthly license and $60 for an annual license. The regulations will also require a foreign vessel wishing to fish in the flats to obtain the usual sports fishing permit, and each person on the vessel intending to flats fish to hold a personal license.

The regulations also ban commercial fishing in the flats. Anglers are only allowed to catch and release when catching bonefish, permit, snook, cobia and tarpon. The new law will also establish a Conservation Fund for the management and protection of the flats and fisheries resources in the Bahamas.

Garnering the most push back, however, is the regulation requiring a ratio of one ‘certified guide’ to every two anglers if they are fishing from a boat. The Abaco Fly Fishing Industry Association (BFFIA), since the draft regulations were first released, confirmed the industry split by saying its members “do not recognise” the BFFIA as the industry legitimate representative or voice. The Association contends that the new regulations could do “irreparable harm” to the industry.

Mr Sumner emphasised that the Chamber’s role in the matter is purely that of facilitator. “We are the sounding board. We are the ones organising the think-tank on this,” he said.

“The Chamber is simply facilitating a discussion. At the end of the process the Chamber, based on the consensus of the members of that industry, will then write its own recommendations on behalf of the private sector to the Government, where we think that there may be the need to make certain amendments. The regulations that all of us can agree on we will say so, and take those to the side.”

Mr Sumner continued: “As we understand it a lot of the issues are not only around the regulations but the proper interpretation of what has been put out. We want to provide a forum to have the regulations properly explained, clear up any misunderstandings and make recommendations on how we think they can be improved.

“The idea really is to be able to review the regulations and make recommendations that will be good for the entire industry.  We don’t want to see the regulations taken for granted, nor do we want them to become prohibitive for those in the industry.”