Bahamas tuners partying tonight

[Sushi50]

SUCCESS- Bahamian Government Rejects Purse-Seining Petition

The Billfish Foundation wishes to thank all of you who spoke out against the issuance of a permit for purse seine or net fishing to operate in Bahamian waters and to applaud the Bahamian government for rejecting the petition.

A public meeting was held Monday evening (March 1, 2010) and the overwhelming majority of those present spoke out against issuing a permit. After the meeting, the government issued the following statement:

Having regard to the importance of sportfishing to the Tourism Industry...legislation will prohibit the use of purse seine or net fishing to ensure that all fisheries resources, including migratory fish, are maintained at a sustainable level.

TBF President Ellen Peel and scientist Russell Nelson sent a strong statement that was read during the course of the meeting. Peel and Nelson both argued against the possibility of authorizing the use of purse seine gear or net fishing in the waters of the Bahamas. They cited not only the irreparable harm such practices would cause to billfish resources and other marine species, but also the negative impacts to sportfishing tourism.

The Billfish Foundation
http://www.billfish.org/new/index.asp

[Carson Mac]

If only they would do that world wide. Nice job Bahamas.

[alex n]

I was down there with the family at Atlantis a couple of weeks ago and read about this issue. There was a mediteranean tuna seiner that basically showed up and was trying to get a permit to seine all those tuna . I was thinking about our summer yft seasons of the past couple of years and thinking that if it was allowed it may impact us up here , we all know they travel north to get here. Purse seining sucks, glad that the bahamas gave them the boot

[BahamaLure]

Well...... its not quite a done deal. The fisheries minister has come out and said the government will ban the practice through amended legislation of the current laws but that has not happened yet. Meantime these morons are continuing with their plans and fitting out the boat ready for sea.

By the way the 2 brothers behind this idiotic plan are convicted cocaine traffickers who spent 5 years of their 25 year sentence in federal prison. they were let out early because they squealed on everyone else.

Public outcry continues. I think that ultimately the net ban will be in place, I just hope they do not manage a few sets before that happens.