In a letter addressed to Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources V. Alfred Gray, Captain Matthew Brittain Robinson wrote in distress over certain aspects of the Flats Fishing Regulations 2017, some of which he could not "fathom" and to a larger extent expressed concern over the economic losses he claims will be induced by the act.
He queried, "How are any of the regulations, other than the issuance of a fishing license, going to help the guides, lodges, and the flats fishery of The Bahamas?"
Robinson stated, in the letter sent to Guardian Business yesterday, that he is a captain who operates a yacht owned by an "avid" flats fisherman who has fished the flats for decades.
He argued that while the regulation is a step taken to further ensure the future of the flats fisheries of The Bahamas, it also has downfalls. One of those, as pointed out by Robinson, is that the regulation takes away clients from guides.
The act itself allows only Bahamian-registered vessels to be allowed on the flats and Bahamian-certified fishing guides must be used if two or more anglers are fishing in the flats by means of a vessel.
"We fish on average 70 days a year on Bahamian flats. We hire Bahamian guides whenever possible," said Robinson.
He noted the names of
certain guides that his company, Brits Fishing, fishes with on islands such as Andros, Crooked Island, the Berry Islands, the Abacos and Grand Bahama.
"As you can see we contribute a lot to the local guides," he said.
"You have, by passing this regulation, taken away their clients. Seventy paying days gone and that's if we only hire one guide a day.
"Many days we hire two or three because of the number of guests we carry, guests that would never have bought a license if they were not with us."
In a bid to defend his position, Robinson highlighted the economic contribution that his fishing company provides to the Bahamian economy and how that as a result of the regulation could be compromised.
"On an average year, over the last 13 years we purchase 7,500 gallons of fuel per year, 150 days dockage, 30 meals at area restaurants, 50 trips in local taxis, $1,200 in local marine supply from hardware stores, $3,000 per month from local grocery stores, not to mention purchases from local galleries, straw markets, fresh conch, fish, and lobster from local fishermen. Make no mistake, we fish the reefs and offshore waters as well and consume our harvest with gusto. But, we occasionally buy from local fishermen as well," he said.
Robinson, who is a fisherman and guide, said the only people the act "affects are the lawfully visiting boats that want nothing more than to fish for a quarry that is a catch and release fishery".
"In conclusion, I want to say I fully support a fishing license. It is a great way to fund needed enforcement, research and education. The Bahamas has needed this for a long time. But please consider reconsider the ramification of the rest of the regulation," Robinson wrote to the minister.

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