The Tribune

By ANNELIA NIXON 

Tribune Business Reporter 

anixon@tribunemedia.net

FISHERMEN yesterday warned that a ban on compressor use outside of crawfish season could result in the law being broken on a consistent basis.

Keith Carroll, the National Fisheries Association’s (NFA) president, told Tribune Business that while he does not use a compressor many other fishermen do as it is an essential “tool” for their livelihood. Explaining that the ban coincides with crawfish season, Mr Carroll said compressor usage is allowed from August to March leaving fishermen with four months’ “vacation.”

“You can’t tell the fishermen you have to go on vacation for four months,” Mr Carroll said. “It’s like going in the office and telling everybody in the office: ‘we going to take your computer from your office for four months. You all see how you all can make it the best way you all can.’ And the same thing they do to the fishermen, just how important a computer is to a business is just as important as a compressor to a diver.”

Mr Carroll and Captain Andrew Thompson both made the point that those four months could push some fishermen to break the law. Mr Carroll added that some have already become accustomed to the use of underwater air supply and need it to catch other fish during the closed crawfish season.

“I don’t really use a compressor, but I know it’s a problem for those guys because it’s like you are taking a computer away for a couple months,” Mr Carroll reiterated. “That’s what they use to breathe under the water. And once you’re used to that, once you’re used to using the compressor, then it’s hard to go back [to] free diving.

“Years ago when they first started with that, it was only used to get lobster. After the guys get the lobster, they got used to that. Now, it’s time to go diving for grouper and other fish. When they can’t use [it] it’s a problem because their body already used to the compressor. But, in my opinion, I think it should be year-round for them because that’s a part of the tool.

“The honest guys don’t use it. They don’t go fishing. But those who are willing to take the chance they do it. And if they get caught, it’ll be a problem. I think the Government should get rid of that [ban] so these guys can fish. Some of these [fisherman are] law-abiding citizens, and then when they have to do these things and make them feel like they breaking the law, like they is criminals.”

Mr Thompson mentioned the impact those four months have on wholesalers who are already stating that they are seeing price increases on seafood items. He said the wholesalers “are losing”, especially when fishermen are unable to produce inventory for them to purchase. Those who are able to catch are hit with a demand and supply crisis that results in higher prices passed on to the customer.

“Once the season is closed, you are not fooling with no lobster. You should have a right to use your compressor. It’s ridiculous and no one is doing nothing about it,” Mr Thompson said.

“They go by the season, by the lobster season. So you have eight months to use it and you have four months not to use it. Which I’m highly against because you need to use that year-round. How are we supposed to breathe in these deep waters to get fish and conch, other stuff than lobster for the population.

“Why would you put a stipulation on fishermen like that? That is not going to stop no show. Fishermen are still going to use the compressor. That’s a livelihood. Not because the lobster season close we can’t use the only thing we have to get these products. You’re putting a stipulation on it,” Mr Thompson added.

“But we got to try and look into that. That hurt the big wholesale companies who are buying wholesale from the fishermen. Because if the fishermen can’t use the air apparatus to get this stuff for their wholesalers, the wholesalers are losing. So why make a law like that? That don’t make no sense.”