The Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance (BCFA) reiterated its support for foreign nationals

Nassau, Bahamas : The Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance (BCFA) yesterday restated its support for legislation barring foreign nationals from working on Bahamian-owned boats.

Adrian LaRoda, BCFA president, stated that Quite honestly the opposition to it was something to be presumed because it is going to have a direct impact on the businesses of some persons. They need to make their case. As it stands now, we are with the legislation. We will have to see how it goes. We have created a meaningful contribution to that legislation."

The Coalition For Responsible Fishing (CFRF), which represents larger fisheries wholesalers, processors and exporters, has advised that proposed changes to fisheries and immigration laws preventing foreigners operating on locally-owned boats will result in grown unemployment and the failure of local fisheries businesses.

The legislation at the centre of the rift is the Fisheries Bill, 2020, which would revoke the modern Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Act, 1977.

The enactment, which has been tabled in Parliament, seeks to prevent individuals who are not citizens of The Bahamas from joining in commercial fishing.

Bill also states that "Nobody shall engage in fishing, or be exercised on a commercial fishing vessel for fishing other than sports fishing in the fisheries waters; and use or be exercised on a commercial fishing vessel authorised under this act for fishing other than charter sports fishing except that person is a citizen of The Bahamas."

The enactment also states that no operator of a commercial fishing vessel shall allow a body which is not a resident of The Bahamas to engage in fishing in Bahamian waters or use a boat other than for charter sports fishing.

Commercial fishing operatives are also banned from employing non-Bahamians onboard their boats.

A person who breaks this section is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $250,000 or imprisonment for a term not passing four years or both.

An Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2020, also seeks to assure that work licensed is not granted for commercial fishing.

The amended section states: "The right to engage in a gainful profession or gainful employment granted by any license issued under this act does not include a right to employ in commercial fishing; and shall be in each case, subject to the Fisheries Act or any other law to the contrary."