Poaching has long been a problem in The Bahamas, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. During a boating trip last week, Joseph Ierna Jr and his wife Nicola of Ocean CREST Alliance, a Bahamas Based non-profit Ocean Conservation group and two other US couples encountered and were approached by Illegal Dominican Republic poachers while cruising the Cay Sal Banks. The poachers which numbered in the hundreds were not only working off of two very large vessels of 150′ to 200′ in length, but there were also about thirty poachers camping on the west side of Cay Sal island. Pictured are some of the poachers who approached the group offering fish and lobster for sale. (Photo courtesy of Joseph Ierna Jr for Barefoot Marketing)
Cay Sal Bank, Bahamas – Poaching has long been a problem in The Bahamas, and recent incidents seem to suggest it isn’t slowing down. During a boating trip last week, Joseph Ierna Jr. and his wife Nicola of Ocean CREST Alliance, a Bahamian based non-profit Ocean Conservation group and two other US couples encountered illegal Dominican Republic poachers while cruising the Cay Sal Banks, closest to Bimini.
The poachers which numbered in the hundreds were not only working off of two very large vessels of 150′ to 200′ in length, but were also camping on the west side of Cay Sal island. The large amount of poachers, including the ones camping on the island gave the group a very uneasy and unsafe feeling; which prompted them to depart The Bahamas ahead of their planned itinerary. As they were departing, four separate Dominican fishermen in two dinghies even approached the Yacht to sell the cruisers some illegal lobster and fish, which they held up and displayed.
“We have heard of armed confrontations at sea between poachers and Bahamian commercial fisherman, so we were very concerned to keep our distance and to not hang around too long,” said Joseph Ierna. “As experienced cruisers of The Bahamas for over 30 years and passionate conservationists, this was a very disheartening and fearful experience, to know that there were hundreds of Illegal fisherman in the area with no one around if there was a situation that may have occurred.”
Once they returned from their trip, Ierna immediately contacted the Department of Marine Resources and the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) to raise awareness of the large numbers of poachers. “This incident is just a further reminder that this poaching problem is still very much with us and that the national dialogue must continue, but lead to action,” said Eric Carey, BNT Executive Director. “From a conservation perspective, more and more our Bahamian fishermen are becoming aware of and supporting conservation efforts, but they get really discouraged and lose heart, when they see these brazen incidents of disregard for our laws and our marine resources by these foreign poaching terrorists.”
The BNT Executive also stressed to boaters, if you see something, say something. If you’re concerned about your safety while out to sea, he encouraged anyone to contact the RBDF and the Department of Marine Resources. They are alos encouraged to contact BNT, and they can remain anonymous. However, it is essential that you report sightings of poachers so that the Royal Bahamas Defense Force can remove poachers from our waters.
Irena noted that the experience has discouraged them from future cruises to these remote and beautiful areas of The Bahamas, as they fear for their safety. He concluded, “I hope there is something that can be done NOW to stop these illegal activities. It is a direct threat to persons’ safety, they are stealing from the tourism and fisheries economies of The Bahamas and it is a direct threat to the health and prosperity of the Bahamas’ ocean habitat.”
To reach the BNT about illegal poachers please contact the BNT as soon as possible at (242) 393-1317 or via email at bnt@bnt.bs. You can also reach them on social media, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram— as pictures are key to the success of catching poachers.
