An open letter from Al Behrendt of the Bahamas Billfish Championship...
The Hon. Lawrence Cartwright, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources
I was shocked to learn that a Bahamian registered vessel is to begin catching tuna using a mile-long purse-seine. The indiscriminate nature of purse-seine fishing threatens the future of the Bahamas Billfish Championship and the future of recreational fishing throughout The Bahamas.
There are countless studies from around the world showing the devastating effect of purse-seine fishing. According to a NOAA study conducted in 1998, "Tuna purse-seine fisheries probably apply the most intensive direct human impact on the tropical epipelagic ecosystems in all oceans." The same study showed that, while yellowfin and skipjack tuna were the target species, the bycatch included pelagic sharks, rainbow runners, dolphinfish, triggerfish, wahoo, rays, mackerel, barracuda and, most importantly to my anglers, billfishes. Another bycatch of the purse-seine is the turtle, which is now protected by law in Bahamian waters.
The popularity of recreational sport fishing throughout The Bahamas continues to provide a positive economic impact to the Commonwealth despite the slumping global economy. Please insure that this socio-economic pastime continues for future generations. Stop purse-seine fishing in The Bahamas.
Regards,
Al Behrendt
Bahamas Billfish Championship
al@bahamasbillfish.com
