The crawfish season will close on Friday, March 31st 2017. The season will remain closed until August 1st, 2017. During the closure of the crawfish season, compressors for fishing purposes is prohibited.

Fishermen are also reminded that a permit is required from the Bahamas Department of Marine Resources for the use of compressors.  Compressors are only authorized to be used from August 1st to March 31st, annually, during the crawfish season, and are to be used at depths of 30 to 60 feet only.

Fishermen who require the use of a compressor during the crawfish season are to apply to the Department of Marine Resources office, located in the TACY Auto Parts Building, South Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, (Ph: 242-332-0921) for a permit to use a compressor.  The permit fee for same is $10.

In Spanish Wells and Harbour Island, fishermen may contact the Administrator’s office for further information.


The requirements to be satisfied when applying for a compressor permit are:

  1.  The fishing vessel must be registered with an up-to-date inspection by the Port Authority.
  2. The vessel operator must hold a diver’s certification.
  3.  All fishing vessels 20 feet or longer must have a valid commercial/fishing permit issued by The Department of Marine Resources.
  4.  Proof of vessel ownership and positive photo (valid passport/ voter’s card) is required.