New Fisheries Warden Hotline: 705-FISH

Today [July 8] the Department of Environmental Protection officially launched a new hotline number to provide an easy way for members of the public to contact fisheries wardens and managers. That number is 705-FISH (3474).

The number can be used to report suspected prohibited activities like illegal fishing or catching of protected species, to raise a query with regards to the new fishing regulations, or to report an unusual marine event such as a “fish kill”.

Director of Environmental Protection Dr. Fred Ming said: “Our fisheries wardens do a fine job but we need public support with enforcement of the Fisheries Regulations which can be made more effective if members of the public report any activities they witness that they suspect is prohibited.”

Callers will speak directly with either a Fisheries warden or a member of the Marine Resources staff who is familiar with the Fisheries Regulations and will be able to provide an immediate response to any regulatory questions, and can initiate an investigation if appropriate. Cases will then be referred to the Department of Public Prosecutions and taken to court if appropriate evidence is gathered.

Some of the more serious fisheries offences in Bermuda include the use of illegal fish pots and traps which were banned in 1990 due to the over-exploitation of many fish species as well as spear fishing close to shore i.e. within 1 nautical mile.

According to the Department, some of the most common fisheries offences in Bermuda include:

• Breaking the ‘one fish per boat per day bag limit’ for black rockfish – Taking too many of this or any other species could result in over exploitation.

• Selling of fish by those who are not licensed commercial fishermen. This undermines the commercial fishing industry and the ability of our fishermen to make a living. It also leaves the purchaser open to food safety concerns if the person selling the fish illegally has not had training in how to properly handle fish and seafood to prevent spoiling.

• Fishing in the seasonally protected areas – These areas have been established to protect groups of fish during their summer breeding season. Fishing in these areas during the breeding season increases the likelihood of over-exploitation because the fish are easier to catch when they are in groups. It can also interfere with spawning / breeding activity.

Certain species on the Fisheries Protected Species List have been placed there due to over-exploitation. These include the West Indian Top Shell – which recently saw a man fined $10,000 for collecting – as well as the Queen and Harbour Conchs and a number of fish species, most notably, the Nassau grouper and parrotfishes.

Dr. Tammy Trott, Senior Marine Resources Officer, explained that each of the above mentioned species has a place and function in the marine ecosystem and over-harvesting of them could negatively affect the way that the ecosystem functions.

She said: “Parrotfish are important to the coral reef system because they feed on algae and stop it from growing over corals. If the coral becomes covered by algae and dies, there is potential for the loss of other species that make their homes on the coral reefs.”

“This in turn could result in the loss of livelihoods for those that depend on a healthy reef system with an abundance of fish, such as commercial fishermen, tour boat operators and dive operators.”

#Fishing

Category: All, Environment