Investigation Into Possible Spearfishing Incident
A sighting of three people on a boat with spears in an area where spearfishing is not permitted has resulted in an investigation by the Department of Environmental Protection.
A Bermuda Maritime Operations spokesperson said, “On August 9, a member of the public called reporting having sighted a boat with three persons on board in wetsuits putting away spears in an area where spearfishing is not permitted.
“From the registration numbers provided, the boat was determined to be a rental vessel. With the vessel underway through Town Cut, St. Georges towards Ferry Reach, Fisheries Wardens were contacted and a rental boat matching the description was later spotted at a dock in the Ferry Reach area. An investigation by Fisheries [Dept. of Environmental Protection] is continuing.”
This follows after an incident last month which involved a person spearing 42 fish, with 41 of them being parrotfish, a species that has been protected under Bermuda law since 1993 and which may not be taken or harmed.
When asked for an update on the parrotfish poaching last night, the Ministry of Health, Seniors and Environment told Bernews: “The investigation is progressing in collaboration with the Police. In this context, we are not able to provide additional details at this time as it could interfere with due process.”
The Bermuda National Trust is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the person who killed the 41 parrotfish, and as of today the BNT said the reward “remains open and there will never be a time limit placed on this reward.”
“The continuation of the reward serves as a continuous reminder that poachers who slaughter our wild life remain on the radar and they will eventually be brought to justice,” the BNT said.
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Category: All, Environment, News
Thanks Bernews, for following up on this matter. “The Bermuda National Trust is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the person who killed the 41 parrotfish, and as of today the BNT said the reward “remains open and there will never be a time limit placed on this reward.
The continuation of the reward serves as a continuous reminder that poachers who slaughter our wild life remain on the radar and they will eventually be brought to justice,” the BNT said.
For a minute there I thought it was deja vu. Is it necessary for you to copy and paste the bottom portion of Bernews article? Forget what I wrote Ray lipstick isn’t enough for you, every blogger on here can see your a special clown
Thanks for reading the article…many just click “like” or “dislike” without reading. I often copy/paste that way the message is quite clear.
Precisely what I was thinking. Might want to go with some counseling, it’s a regular habit.
Attention, “sage” & “RBYC” The comment I made was a thank you to Bernews in relation to them following-up on the investigation of the previous violation…Re-read it.
Often I think people enjoy reading the comments more than they do the news article. So maybe it’s smart to repost the important part of the article.
@ Me: Precisely
I truly believe, there are many who react foolishly when they see my name; even without reading my comment/s or remark/s. My name,(when they see it) must put a foul taste into their mouths…
How can 17 thus-far oppose me giving credit to Bernew in the first response of this article
“Dumb and Dumber”
Any chance these people could be innocently trying to rid us of our lionfish problem?
NO.
Actually you arogant bie you, they were out for lionfish WITH a valid permit.
That is all…………..
if they were and had a valid lion fish permit they must have taken the course – if they had they would have been given a lionfish flag to fly when they were doing it and been told the importance of using it when they were spearfishing – thus surely they would have flown it – why didn’t they? and why haven’t they told the authorities (and Bermews) thats what they were up to??
That would be the hope. In which case those involved should contact BPS & show some proof.
The issue has been sorted, but thank you for your concern.
There you go. No problem. No foul I hope.
These amateur clowns are giving the spearfishing community a bad reputation. Check the licenses of the spearfishers in St. Geo. Also the places that sell pole spears should maybe ask to see the spearfishing license of the purchaser before just selling it to them
Could be someone catching lion fish….
Thats exactly what the case was
Licensed lionfish spearfisher-people use a special lionfish flag to indicate they are spearing for lionfish in an otherwise illegal area for spearing. No flag indicates they were not spearing lionfish.
If they were lionfish hunting then they should have had a lionfish flag flying.
Nothing bends my prop more than irresponsible amateur Mariners who are really poachers. Disgraceful and the fact that these people have not as yet be identified should cause outrage. All this with a new sheriff on the water!