The country’s fisheries industry is experiencing higher yields as a result of the enhanced naval/military operations being conducted throughout The Bahamas by Officers and Marines of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

National Security officials say the Operations have also had the domino effect of making Bahamian fishermen feel more secure at sea due to the heavy presence of Defence Force personnel.

The protection package includes coordinated air, land and sea patrols by the Sea-going and Commando Squadrons in conjunction with the Air Wing, Harbour Patrol and Port Security Units that have proven to be “highly effective.”
Implementation of the Sandy Bottom Project – a $232Million investment by the Government of The Bahamas to upgrade the Defence Force’s fleet and Operations – and the decentralization of base operations to ensure faster response times, have also played critical roles in the successes.

The Sandy Bottom Project includes the acquisition of 9 patrol craft, the dredging of Harbours and construction of quay walls and jetties at HMBS Coral Harbour Base, Matthew Town, Inagua and Gun Point, Ragged Island, that will result in modernization of port facilities. The Project also calls for the upgrade and expansion of at Coral Harbour Base and the base at Matthew Town including construction of warehouses, workshops and an Operations Building. A new Base and Aircraft Hangar will also be constructed at Gun Point, Ragged Island.

The acquisition of the new patrol craft under the Sandy Bottom Project has allowed Commanders to adjust the Force’s Operations to maintain a greater patrol presence on the Great Bahama Bank.

“As a result, there has been an exponential increase in the number of Dominican fishing vessels apprehended and sightings of these Dominican vessels are trending downward,” Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dr. Bernard J. Nottage said. Dr. Nottage said the higher yields of “harvested fisheries resources” being experienced by local fishermen “are the likes of which have not been seen in over ten to 20 years by some accounts.”

“Over the past five years, the Defence Force Operations have netted a total of 13 poaching vessels from the Dominican Republic with approximately 189,000 pounds of fisheries products seized and over 200 Dominicans arrested,” Dr. Nottage said.

“Local, Bahamian fishermen are now expressing gratitude for the investment as they reap the benefits of enhanced protection at sea and higher yields of harvested fisheries resources.”

Dr. Nottage said the Operations have also made a “significant impact” on national security with almost 6,000 migrants – mostly Haitian nationals -- being apprehended either by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force patrol craft or as a result of joint operations with officials at the Bahamas Immigration Department.

A spike in the numbers of Cuban migrants attempting to enter the United States of America through Bahamian waters has also “significantly declined” as a result of those Operations and renewed relations between the United States and the Republic of Cuba.

Dr. Nottage said Operation Southern Shores, initiated by the Defence Force in 2013 before being expanded into Operation Secure Shores in 2015, has helped add to the successes. Military outposts have been established at strategic points -- along with offshore and onshore patrols -- along the coast of New Providence as a result of the Operation.

“This has led to a drastic reduction in serious crimes and the illegal landing of migrants, especially in the South Beach area,” Dr. Nottage said. “Operation Secure Shores has also expanded to include jet-ski patrols of outlying islands and cays around New Providence in response to complaints of unregulated recreational boat operators,” Dr. Nottage added.

By Matt Maura

Bahamas Information Services