NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Bahamian fishermen were yesterday said to be ‘100 percent’ in support of a Bahamian-only policy by the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources which effectively ended the special provisions which had for years allowed foreign fishermen living in The Bahamas on a work permit or spousal permit to participate in the harvesting of crawfish.
Keith Carroll, vice-president of The Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance, said: “All the fishermen in The Bahamas are behind the minister 100 percent. We congratulate him for having the courage to do what he did and we have his back.”
His comments come days after it was revealed that the government is being sued for denying 20 foreigners permits to harvest crawfish.
The applicants are mostly from the Dominican Republic and Honduras.
According to a lawsuit filed by their attorney Dion Smith, they have either spousal permits or are permanent residents and are employed on Bahamian-owned fishing vessels as divers.
The attorney claims that the decision to deprive them of dive compressor permits, which are essential for harvesting crawfish at certain depths, has affected their livelihood.
A dive compressor permit is required for the use of the fishing gear which is used to harvest crawfish between the depths of 30 feet and 60 feet.
Ahead of the 2019/2020 crawfish season, Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister Michael Pintard announced no one on a work permit, resident spouse permit, or permanent resident permit would be allowed to participate in the season.
Smith contends that this not only contravenes the Immigration Act, which empowers people with spousal permits and permanent residency to be gainfully employed, but also Article 26 of the Constitution.
Carroll said: “I know that the fishermen are very upset about that lawsuit issue. The fishermen support Minister Pintard. If the government listen to the fishermen 25 years ago we never would ahem had this problem. We advocated for Bahamians only.”
Carroll said the 2019/2020 crawfish seasons hasn’t been as good as expected.
“The Northern Bahamas took a big hit from Dorian. This crawfish season really isn’t as good as expected because we haven’t had any strong cold fronts coming in to really bring in the crawfish after the summer months. We used to have three or four strong cold front but we haven’t been getting any,” said Carroll.
The Bahamians must take care of their citizens FIRST. God Bless the Bahamas!
No, I won’t say what I’d like to say, but “GO BAHAMIAN GOVT” !!!
Bahamians only should be Bahamians live in Abaco and I goes crawfishing first part of the crawfish season man the rocks the bars and all over does be full with 6and7 white floks on one vessel with 5and6 in the water while 1 remains in the vessel and i am not talking but one vessel many vessel and it makes it difficult for me so when u say Bahamains only main Bahamians only
Wow kind of discrimination
Okay let me be up front when i say white folks i mean tourist i do discriminate of course theres white Bahamian
YESSSSSSSSIRE–BAHAMIANS ONLY..BAHAMIANS GOT SHORT MEMORY…D.R. POACHERS BOAT HAD OVER 60,OOO LBS. MIXED FISH—22,000 LBS. OF LOBSTER,8,000 LBS.UNDERSIZE…HANG POACHERS & DRUGS ,GUN,HUMAN TRAFFICKERS. GOD IS GREAT….
I dont discriminate
Fuck america, the bahammas is better then america. I wanna live there atleast they have clean water and freindly people there.
And who os taking care of them?
USA USA USA
Minister Pintard rocks. He is the only politician looking out for Bahamians.
Thumbs up minister .
Bahamas would be a good place to send our illegal immigrants. It has made an excellent colony for the unwanted, so far.
Seriously? So you think another country should break their own laws to allow someone from another country to come to their land and take away their livelihoods?
Yes there sure is white one’s as they have been on the abacos from the 1600 and most are my family! For you to even say that is so disrespecting to all Bahamians!
The problem with the commercial fishing is not with the people it’s where the products going. And if it wasn’t for the tourist coming to the Bahamas and spending American money you wouldn’t have much!
Please, tell me, Can Bahamian fisherman fish in Honduran or Dominician waters? No! They will be considered Poachers, Prosecuted and thrown in Jail. It is the responsibility of The Bahamian Government, to secure and protect its citizens from any and all form of interference with the livelihood of its Citizens.
Half Bahamian and Half Black American over. My roots go way back in Bahamas and the U.S. and you Hernandez know that Bahamas if a Black country primarily but I want those looking at this to know that Latinos and Hispanics are horrible racists and unlike Black Americans who are a subjugated people, you can combat these folk in your land. If you think the Haitians are a problem, just wait until Latinos show their true boonkies. One on the job told me “I’m Dominican, we’re supposed to get Black people fired.”
Mexicans, working in a Black owned Roscoes Chicken and Waffle House were so discriminatory that the Black American worker sued in California and the judge agreed. It shut down the restaurant! Black Americans are also foundational in establishing cities in California.
Make these Dominicans understand who you are Black Bahamians and send this Hermandez and his kind out of your country!