AFTER making a pledge last year of $200,000 to support the country’s fly fishing industry, the Government of The Bahamas made good on its promise: A cheque for $150,000 was presented to the Bahamas Fly Fishing Association during a ceremony on February 17 at the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources on East Bay Street.

And an additional $50,000 investment will be made to the Small Business Development Centre(SBDC) to further support the industry.

Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Jomo Campbell said that this investment signals the government’s commitment and belief in the industry. 

“This contribution reaffirms the government’s full support to the conservationists and leaders in their efforts to sustain the tourism industry and to support the world’s fly fishing destination,” he said.

In attendance was Prescott Smith, president of the Bahamas Flying Fishing Association, who gave an overview of the development of the industry over the past decades. 

He said that the investment signalled a long journey involving stakeholders from all of the major islands. He also expressed his gratitude for all of the support that the association has received over the years from donations from the country’s citizens and said that the fight for full recognition by the government is critical in order to further expand the Bahamas, which has the world’s largest flats.

Association member Valentino Munroe said that the funds will be used to support the administrative aspects of the association, including housing of an office close to the airport, communication efforts, partnerships with operators, among other essentials.