(Eleuthera, Bahamas) – Personnel from the Department of Marine Resources (DMR), travelled to Spanish Wells, on Thursday as part of a series of nation-wide consultations with stakeholders within the fishing communities.

The Department, with support from the EU-funded ACP Fish II Programme, is working to develop a new Fisheries Act for The Bahamas – The current Fisheries Act came into force during 1977. The consultations are in-part meant to provide an overview of the proposals for the new Act and to obtain comments, suggestions and views from stakeholders on: a) needs of the fisheries sector; b) the proposals presented.

The stated purpose behind drafting a new Act is to strengthen and improve fisheries management in The Bahamas and to create a modem, robust and effective legal framework that will best serve the needs and interests of the fisheries sector.

Two international legal experts are lending assistance in the development of a new draft Act and the Department expects to consult with stakeholders through a series of meetings, community consultations and a National Consultation in order to ensure all views are accommodated in the new legislation. The community consultation in Spanish Wells is a part of the first stage of this process.

Stakeholders are identified in Department documents as fishers, processors, traders, other members of the fishing industry, fishing community representatives
NGOs, Family Island government representatives, govemment representatives in local offices and research institutes.

Process for drafting the new Fisheries Act: (DMR information)

The project will be implemented through a series of activities:

Pre-consultation Meetings with the Department for Marine Resources and other stakeholders in Nassau and the Family Islands

Compilation of a Status Report, analyzing the current situation and needs for fisheries legislation. and making initial recommendations
on the content for the draft Fisheries Act

A series of Community Consultations, in 12 locations to enable stakeholders to input views and suggestions for the draft Fisheries Act

A National Consultation, on the draft Act which will be organized by the Department of Marine Resources, with the support of the project team

A National Validation Workshop, to be held in Nassau at which a revised draft Act (taking account or the results of the National Consultation) will be presented and discussed with key stakeholders

Drafting of a final Draft Fisheries Act, taking account of the results of the National Workshop.

The Community Consultation process was slated to be officially launched in the Capital on Wednesday, 22 May, 2013. 

The Community Consultations will take place through 12 evening meetings currently scheduled as:

Eleuthera

  • Spanish Wells 23 May

Andros Islands

  • Mangrove Cay 24 May
  • Nichols Town 24 May

Long Island

  • Deadman’s Cay 27 May

Acklins 27 May

Grand Bahama

  • Freeport 28 May
  • West End 29 May
  • East End 29 May

Abaco Island

  • Marsh Harbour 30 May
  • Cooper’s Town 31 May
  • Sandy Point 31 May