By Natario Mckenzie

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The controversial fly fishing regulations will ultimately drive hundreds of millions of dollars through the Bahamian economy, the industry association’s president yesterday questioning why there was such vocal opposition to local ownership.

Prescott Smith, the Bahamas Fly Fishing Industry Associaion (BFFIA) chief, addressing the fourth annual Andros Business Outlook conference, said the proposed regulations were about more than 400 bonefishing guides obtaining a license.

“This legislation is not just about 400 guides getting a license. It means that with this document passing through Cabinet, hundreds of millions of dollars will begin flowing through the economy that will benefit every single Bahamian, including many that are opposed to it,” said Mr Smith.

“There is so much opposition to this, and that should be a concern, because if it is our number one industry then people should not be opposed to local people being owners of that industry.

“It should be something that is celebrated and encouraged. This legislation is important to every single Bahamian in this country. It is the first in our country’s history. This is about local people being owners in our number one industry,” Mr Smith added.

The Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) (Amendment) Bill 2015, and the Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) (Flats Fishing) Regulations 2015, introduce a number of changes designed to create a supervisory framework for flats fishing in the Bahamas.

This involves a set of new permit fees and stricter distinctions for foreign fishermen and foreign-­owned bone fishing lodges. Concerns over the new regulations centre on the proposed requirement that all visiting fly fishermen, even experts coming to the Bahamas for decades, hire a local guide at a cost of $600 per day.

While sensitive to the need to protect Bahamian fishing guides from foreigners who come in and establish themselves in business illegally, the tourism sector is concerned that the ‘local guide stipulation’ and other proposed fees will make this nation further uncompetitive on price and encourage anglers to head to rival destinations.

“There is a lot of talk in the media and so much misinformation, but any time you take up something of this magnitude there is going to be push back,” said Mr Smith.

He added that it was disappointing that other tourism industry asscoiations we’re not standing in support of the BFFIA, taking a veiled swipe at the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), Marina Operators of the Bahamas (MOB) and the two main tourism promotion Boards.

“There are four associations that control our tourism industry and not one of them are supporting us and this legislation,” Mr Smith said.

“That is a concern. The question is why is there such opposition to the first association in our country’s history that is about the local, grassroots people. It means that persons only see us playing a certain role in the tourism industry. That is anti-democracy.”