Really??!!! I do not see any documentation where Smith used the 2010 study to support 80% DIY. Only, where he referenced the $141M economic value from the 2010 Report. Please provide us with the facts that you have commented on here while I will provide you with some for your information. There is no hard core statistical data to substantiate the 80% and that our flatsfishing economic value of $141M suggested in the Report, prepared over 5 years ago. I opine they are inconclusive. The percentage of Guided and Unguided Anglers (DIY) visitors to the Bahamas also inconclusive. As for the Guides input, depending on which island you gather the information from, could contribute to the convoluted data's accuracy. Of the 200 plus BFFIA's Guide and Lodge members , very few said they had taken part in the survey conducted in 2009. Mr. Fedler stated that he lacked incomplete data and had to base the report primarily on assumptions. I quote from the report "The type of fishing (bonefishing or offshore fishing) was not indicated on the survey...........There were two limitations to this study that are important to note. First, the data used in this study was limited to party size, visitor night, and expenditure averages for anglers provided by the Ministry of Tourism in addition to the summary data contained in the VES report. Having the capability to analyze the primary VES data would have been very useful. Likewise, the ability to analyze the Ministry of Tourism Departure Card data to achieve bonefish angling data for each of the Bahamian islands would have been very beneficial. The absence of this capability resulted in allocating non-guided bonefish angling to each island based on the proportion of guided angler days. There are some problems inherent with these procedures....The inability to accurately allocate non-guided flats fishing to individual islands is exemplified by the number of non-guided angler nights for Nassau/New Providence in Table 4. According to the local guides, who are actively guiding nearly every day of the year, few nonguided anglers are observed throughout the year..". So you do the research and math and stop spreading non-sense!

It is obvious your observation has no credence. Whatever Prescott's personal political views may be, the proposed legislation transcends party politics. This is not about FNM, PLP or DNA but what is in the best interest of Bahamians and are fair across the board! The Association's recommendations to the proposed legislation can be found on their website http:www.bffia.org and even Stevie Wonder can see that they are "pro-bahamian"! Stop speaking from the cuff and with misinformation and get your facts together. The only ludicrous jackass here is you and yours!

The $800M refers to the economic value of Florida saltwater recreational fishing inclusive of the $460M estimated for saltwater flats fishing, a study done in 2013. As for the size and our abundant fisheries, compared to Florida, the Bahamas has the potential to exceed their economic value but the Ministry of Tourism(MOT) has failed in this area of marketing miserably. I agree there is no hard core statistical data to substantiate the 80% and that our flatsfishing economic value of $141M suggested in the Report, prepared over 5 years ago, are inconclusive. The percentage of Guided and Unguided Anglers (DIY) visitors to the Bahamas also inconclusive. As for the Guides input, depending on which island you gather the information from, could contribute to the convoluted data's accuracy. Of the 200 plus BFFIA's Guide and Lodge members , very few said they had taken part in the survey conducted in 2009. Mr. Fedler stated that he lacked incomplete data and had to base the report primarily on assumptions. Quote from the report "The type of fishing (bonefishing or offshore fishing) was not indicated on the survey...........There were two limitations to this study that are important to note. First, the data used in this study was limited to party size, visitor night, and expenditure averages for anglers provided by the Ministry of Tourism in addition to the summary data contained in the VES report. Having the capability to analyze the primary VES data would have been very useful. Likewise, the ability to analyze the Ministry of Tourism Departure Card data to achieve bonefish angling data for each of the Bahamian islands would have been very beneficial. The absence of this capability resulted in allocating non-guided bonefish angling to each island based on the proportion of guided angler days. There are some problems inherent with these procedures.....". So you do the research and math.
Here are questions that Bahamians must ask themselves and MOT:
1) Whose money pays for the "Free Airfare" offered to tourists to stay at certain hotels in the Bahamas?
2) What is the total amount of money paid for packages of this nature offered?
3) Does it exceed the Government's revenue collected from these Hotels?
4) Has the Ministry of Tourism empowered any local Bahamian to be owners in their current number 1 industry or promote them only in the hospitality industry as maids, bartenders, waitresses, desk clerks, guides etc.?
The answers to these questions should prove interesting, if you ever get a response.
It is my opinion that our natural resources are being undervalued and exploited but I am confident that my Bahamian Brothers and Sisters are waking up to the true value of their country and marine environment and will advocate for a more diversified economy with less reliance on Tourism and more local ownership. This is a new generation coming up with a different mindset. And yall could take that to the flats!