Nassau groupers began their spawning season under the first winter full moon in November, while the country awaits word from the minister of agriculture, marine resources and local government on whether the closed season, set to begin on December 1, will be announced.
The Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) has pointed out that the December 1 - February 28 closure of the Nassau grouper fishery provides protection for the fish during a time of year when it is reproducing and most vulnerable to overfishing.
"Catching, buying and selling Nassau grouper during the time when they are spawning has led to a complete collapse of the fishery in the U.S. and other countries in the region," BREEF reports, warning that the same scenario is possible in The Bahamas.
The Department of Marine Resources has for several years recommended fixed dates for an annual Nassau grouper closed season, just as there are annual fixed dates for the crawfish and stone crab closures. This would ensure that fishers, seafood vendors and restaurants would be prepared to adapt their product offerings and menus. Until now, the annual closure for Nassau grouper remains at the discretion of the minister responsible for marine resources.
BREEF has also voiced the need for this added protection for the "iconic Nassau grouper".
"With recently approved measures to increase fines for breaking fisheries laws and increased efforts to tackle illegal poaching through increased enforcement, BREEF is optimistic that the government will finally place its stamp of approval on this most sensible recommendation from its own local experts at the Department of Marine Resources," BREEF Executive Director Casuarina McKinney-Lambert said.
In the meantime, every person living in The Bahamas can help ensure that we will have this fish for the future by agreeing not to catch, buy or sell Nassau grouper from December 1 - February 28, BREEF recommends, urging the public to support fishermen by purchasing other fish during this period.
In 2012 the fishing industry contributed in excess of $80 million per year to the Bahamian economy.

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