Duncombe laments fisheries regulation change

Wed, Sep 14th 2016, 01:09 PM


Sam Duncombe

ReEarth President Sam Duncombe said she finds it "very disturbing" that just this week the barriers to taking fish caught recreationally in The Bahamas to Florida by water were lowered. Duncombe was talking about a change in regulations which became effective yesterday, and which was the subject of a notice from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

According to that commission, a new exception went into place September 13, 2016 in Florida state waters allowing anglers to possess filleted dolphin, wahoo and reef fish that was caught in Bahamian waters. Similar allowances for dolphin and wahoo, as well as modifications to existing recreational regulations for reef fish managed as "snapper-grouper" being brought back from The Bahamas by water, went into effect in Atlantic federal waters in January 2016. These regulations apply to fish being transported by water only and do not apply to fish being transported or shipped by air. They will be inserted in the rules at Rule 68B-14, 68B-41 and 68B-57.

The commission said the changes would allow more fishing freedom for Florida's residents and visitors while creating consistency between state and federal regulations.

Speaking with Guardian Business in reference to the notice, Duncombe said the changes are cause for concern.

"This is going to be a free-for-all. That is not to say that it hasn't been happening illegally for years. Instead of clamping down on these people, we are once again legalizing the rape and pillage of our very vulnerable marine life," she said. "Bahamians everywhere should be up in arms over this. Where does this end?"

The notice pointed out that Bahamian regulations may be different than those in U.S. state and federal waters.

Said the Commission, "Before you return with your catch, make sure you comply with the more restrictive U.S. and Bahamian recreational bag and possession limits. For example, species that are prohibited from harvest in the U.S., such as queen conch, goliath and Nassau grouper, cannot be transported back into U.S. waters by boat. Spiny lobster must be in whole condition and can only be transported into U.S. waters during the recreational season (Aug. 6 through March 31)."

The commission reminded anglers to keep in mind when bringing recreationally caught dolphin, wahoo and reef fish managed as snapper-grouper back from The Bahamas by water they must keep skin on the fillet. The notice added that for anglers complying with Atlantic federal bag and vessel limits, two fillets count as one fish toward the bag limit, vessels must have valid Bahamian cruising and sport-fishing permits, and passengers must possess a valid government passport with current Bahamian stamps and travel dates.

The notice added that, "Travel through state waters must be continuous and gear must remain stowed.

"Fishing gear that is appropriately stowed means terminal tackle, such as hooks, leaders, sinkers, etc, must be disconnected and stowed separately from the rod and reel. Fish landed under these exceptions cannot be sold."

Xian Smith, Guardian Business Reporter

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