From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Bahamas signs anti-poaching legislation to protect sharks
By Gena Gibbs, BIS
Jul 6, 2011 - 6:43:06 PM
![Shark-Legislation.jpg](http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/uploads/8/Shark-Legislation.jpg)
On July 5, BNT and PEW witnessed the Bahamas Government sign an amendment to the Fisheries Act to impose penalties against those that violate anti-poaching legislation and kill sharks in The Bahamas to sell. Seated from left to right: Minister of the Environment, Earl Deveaux; Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Larry Cartwright; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Brent Symonette. The back row are members of PEW and the Bahamas National Trust. (BIS Photo / Gena Gibbs).
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Nassau, The Bahamas – Anti-poaching
legislation was signed July 5, 2011 to create a sanctuary that protects
sharks in Bahamian waters from being hunted down for their fins.
“The Bahamas’ prohibition
on long line fishing gear 20 years ago protected the marine resources
of The Bahamas and ensured that our shark populations would remain healthy,”
said Eric Carey, executive director of The Bahamas National Trust (BNT).
Mr. Carey said, however,
there were no specific laws in The Bahamas for the protection of sharks,
the crown jewels of ocean health. He said the new regulations signed
by the Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Larry Cartwright,
ensure that sharks can continue to thrive for generations in Bahamian
waters.
The Bahamas joins countries
such as Palau, the Maldives, and Honduras in prohibiting the commercial
fishing of sharks, by adding an amendment to the Fisheries Resources
Act, Chapter 244. The jurisdiction and conservation protection also
restricts the sale, importation, and export of shark products within
the 250,000 square miles of the archipelago nation.
Throughout the world,
73 million sharks are in the process of becoming an endangered species
because a lack of regulation allows the commercial fisheries industry
to kill them for their fins.
“2011 is fast becoming
the year of the shark,” said Jill Hepp, manager of global shark conservation
for the Pew Environment Group.
![Toomey_s-Tribute-to-The-Bahamas_s-New-Legislation.jpg](http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/uploads/8/Toomey_s-Tribute-to-The-Bahamas_s-New-Legislation.jpg)
Toomey Cartoon
A shark cartoon celebrating the Government’s decision to guard sharks in the Bahamas from poachers shows appreciation for the recognition. (BIS Photo / Gena Gibbs).
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“Today’s announcement
permanently protects more than 40 shark species in Bahamian waters.
We applaud the people and government of The Bahamas for being bold leaders
in marine conservation.”
The Bahamas was created
into a new sanctuary, after a Bahamian seafood company threatened to
catch sharks and export their fins. The collaboration between the Pew
Environment Group and BNT produced popular public service announcements
and a supportive petition signed by more than 5,000 Bahamians.
Since 1959, BNT has been
the only non-governmental organisation, established by an Act of Parliament,
to conserve Bahamian natural and historic resources, as well as manage
the entire country’s national park system. Its partnership with the
PEW Environment Group uses science to protect the oceans, preserve wetlands
and promote clean energy.
This partnership has
attracted the attention of globally known environmentalists, such as
Pierre-Yves Cousteau (son of Jacques Cousteau), scientist and artist
Guy Harvey, and
Sherman’s Lagoon cartoonist Jim Toomey have
contributed their share to supporting shark protection awareness in
The Bahamas.
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