INCREASED protection of Bahamian waters from poachers by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) has “played an instrumental role” in helping to make what many fishermen are saying is the best lobster season for 20 years.

Clay Sweeting, Deputy Chairman of the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC), yesterday highlighted the “positive effects of well patrolled waters” and offered hope that the industry can rebound from years of neglect.

In a statement, Mr Sweeting said: “God has indeed blessed the Great Bahama Banks this season with an abundance of lobster; however the RBDF has also played an instrumental role in protecting the banks against local and foreign poachers.”

Mr Sweeting said many fishermen had asked him to convey their thanks to the Government as well as to the Acting RBDF Commodore, Captain Tellis Bethel, for a job well done. “Some fishermen have stated that whatever they are doing, tell them to keep doing it,” the statement said.

“In March, 2014, the Government took a major step in the right direction, with the expansion of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s patrol fleet and the development of three shore-side docking facilities. North Eleuthera fishermen were delighted that the government was prepared to spend north of $232m on this initiative, which will not only strengthen the patrol capabilities of the RBDF, but also play a major role in the protection Bahamian waters and fisherman from illegal poachers.

“The fishing industry plays an important role in supporting thousands of Bahamians throughout our archipelago of islands, including Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, Abaco, Long Island, Exuma, Andros and many others. For many years, we as a community and country of fishermen have fought for the protection of our borders We have witnessed firsthand the explosion of illegal poaching during the off-season by foreign vessels, most noticeably from the Dominican Republic. Our once full circle economies have been adversely affected, leading to home foreclosures and struggling businesses.”

Earlier this month, Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance (BCFA) vice-president Keith Carroll told The Tribune that the crawfish season was “looking promising” and credited this to Defence Force patrols during the offseason.

The BCFA has long voiced concerns over poaching by foreign fishermen, primarily Dominicans, particularly during the closed period. However Mr Caroll believes that the addition of new vessels to the Defence Force’s fleet has helped to put a dent in the poaching practice. Last month, RBDF marines were involved in a shootout and subsequent high-speed chase with suspected Dominican poachers in the Cay Lobos area.

“I really think that because of the work the Defence Force, especially what they were doing when the season was closed, has helped local fishermen, especially the boats down south. Based on what I’m hearing, the boats that usually have trouble to the south, they are reporting that things are way better than last year and it’s a result of the Defence Force beefing up their patrols. The fishermen are grateful for that,” said Mr Carroll.

“Things are looking promising, especially for the guys from Long Island whose boats were on land after the hurricane and had no work since October. They seem to be doing well. What I’m hearing right now is that the fishermen are doing way better than previous years.”

The crawfish season opened on August 1 and runs to March 31, 2017.