As in Antigua, there needs to be a system of balance for all concerned. We need to find a balance in order to preserve our islands, our world and our marine animals. We have to put actions in place to benefit all parties. Would closing off certain areas during the year help protect our sea life? Certainly, it will be a step in the right direction.
So, whether me bang water or not, the fact remains that I live here and have a responsibility to keep this beautiful island protected from human sharks.

Here’s a recent newsletter from The Billfish Foundation: Quote:
“The government of Australia has released its final proposed plan to establish a large marine reserve in the Coral Sea. The proposal includes the creation of Marine National Park Zones totaling roughly 194,000 square miles in which all fishing, including recreational fishing, would be prohibited. Pew Environment Group has been the leader in this campaign under its Global Ocean Legacy program, which is working diligently to establish massive closed reserves around the world”.
Continuing: ….”We encourage you to use TBF's comments or send in your own to voice your concerns to the Australian Government. Together we can ensure that our voice is heard and that fishing opportunities for anglers around the world are made available so that we may fish forever”!
There is a fine line between preservation of life and the livelihood of man. The author is trying to raise support in what he considers to be a grossly unfair ban. Clearly the Australian Government feels the need to take this step, but what would happen to those who make their living from the sea?

Some of us would point fingers at our government ministers and declare that they are not doing their jobs. The question is: Are you doing your job? Are you doing your bit to protect the island you claim to love so much from people who are bent in destroying it regardless of consequence?
Let’s go to the other side of the world: Australia is considering closing off part of the Great Barrier Reef to all types of fishing in an effort to protect the reef. They get over 2M visitors to the reef each year driving an eco-economy that has been estimated to top $1B annually. This huge play-ground for marine life comprising of thousands of individual reefs and islands, is also home to billions of tiny organisms and fish that have made these reefs the way they are to this day. Part of the reef is protected under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

I have been buoyed by the surprising reactions to my most recent letters in the media and it has made me realise that there are people who really, really care about our beautiful island.
I first came to Antigua as a visitor and was struck dumb by the sheer beauty of the island and colour of the sea. Turquoise and sparkling, clear and clean it was. To this day I never tire looking at it and admiring its beauty. Yet, 20 odd years later, here I am no longer a visitor but as a resident and fighting for a cause some might say is not mine to fight. Some say “me bang water” so what am I doing sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong.
Do you think that our visitors prefer to see parrotfish, snappers, lobsters, etc., or plastics and metals when they snorkel around our reefs? If one is allowed the freedom to rape, plunder and destroy our sea creatures better believe that our visitors will be disappointed and may decide not to return to our shores.

FINAL ATTEMPT???
So later on down the road, we won't hear of another meeting to discuss balancing of this Act - right?

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock. Quote:

Innovative good messaging is believable.-Dr. Isaac Newton.

Science, not Politics, must and should be at the core of our Fishery.
The proposed Consultation is a good step in "Drawing on our Collective Consciousness", Experience & Knowledge. Let's hope that the Marine Biologist's prayer to not water down environmental protection for fish habitats will find favour.
As noted in PT!, Vigorous & professional enforcement **ressed by a competent science, technology and modern structure, systems and skills, regime are essential to protect fish stocks and their habitat which is critical to their sustainability.
There must be rigorous scientific study & management of the fish species, populations, habitats & ecosystems within our coastal and 200 Mile Exclusive Economic Zone - A&B possesses one of the largest areas, incl Redonda, in the Eastern Caribbean.
The model for a well developed science based fishery is the US. GoAB needs to be so directed. The Stakeholders in Fishery, sans Science, prefer to use political means to get results for themselves.
Fishery to Senator Massiah or Ambassador "Mamba" Liverpool.

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock. Much Thanks to Messieurs Fuller, Mussington, The ACS, EAG & the folks who took the time to sign the Petition. There is absoultely no sense of Urgency by GoAB, a litany of failures by Ministries, to summon the Commitment and passionately engage the Stakeholders. This also highlights the paucity of Order & Good Governance. Here is PM Thomas of Grenada Quote:

One of the underlying reasons for the Implementation Deficit is the absence of a legal basis for decision(s) ...supplemented by an institutional machinery with the requisite legal authority to effectively discharge responsibilities for implementation of decisions.

GoAB must evidence Fundamental Change. No Tinkering around the Edges. It must be Transformationa l.
This "mere voice in the wilderness" has & will continue to sound the cry for Redesigning, Reengineering, Restructuring & Realigning, The Environmental, Fishery, Coast Guard, Army, Police & Fire Departments, Education - Marine Engineering,Tec hnology, Fishery, Ecology, Coastal & Environmental Oceanography. To be effective, The Laws, Structure, Systems, Skills must work in Harmony.

Anything that falls under the "management" of Hilson Baptiste is a JOKE!

So they are 'planning' to have a 'discussion' with the 'intention' of having the bill 'gazetted'. How come all this deliberation, meeting with stakeholders and gazetting didn't happen with the power plant loan or the numerous financial commitments our country has been entered into? These are just stalling tactics as this government has shown if it deems something important it can get it done without the approval of its constituents (Mt Obama anyone?).

I am feeling like the time for petitions and peaceful protest is coming to an end and we are going to have to start sinking some fishing boats and getting locked up in jail.

I have notice that all paper works is in place with Brother B. He said so. So why have a next set of meeting with stake holders? Is there changes that need to be look at from 5yrs ago. I think so! Eli go to the meeting and see what need to be adjusted! Keep us inform.

also, after reading the observer article, you will see why we thought it a good idea to go to the PM instead of wasting time trying to get something reasonable done anywhere else.

Why does everything in this country have to be political and divisive? Why is Minister Baptiste attacking the Antigua Conservation Society? For heavens sake! We are talking about preserving our marine resources and environment for future generations. What is so difficult? As R. Berry points out, it makes it seem like there are interests out there intent to destroy our marine resources rather than preserve them. Shouldn't we all be on the same side here? Just get the damned Regulations signed, Minister - all of them, not just the 'most important' ones. In their entirety they don't go far enough, but at least it would be a start - a declaration of intent. Short term and defensive self-interest will not pay the piper at the end of the day.

I am at a loss to what needs balancing. The act in its present form has absolutely no problen, the difficulity arises when the act goes into law is the policing and inforcing of these regulations. However that would be stage two.

I would however like to see the full ban on the export of lobster in season or out of season and the a full ban on any chub fish been taken.

If I had no idea about what it took to get the Fisheries Act passed and to the point where it is just sitting waiting for its regulations to be signed, then this news would be very positive. However, knowing that the Act was developed with the input from different fishers groups and individuals as well as from other stakeholders and environmental groups, i am puzzled as to why it is necessary at this time to have another talk shop. The time for talk has long passed and the time for action was several years ago when the regulations were passed to the minister to be signed. This seems like we are going back to the drawing board, and unless i am missing something is a fantastic way to bury the issue. This is not good news in my mind. By the way, thanks Caribarena.com for putting a link to the petition over on the right hand side. 1700+ signatures. Cool!

Why do I feel that this so called meeting will be nothing more than a talk shop for friends of the "destroy A&B marine resources".

For 6 years this act has been sitting on Baptiste desk, and yet we're now having a meeting to "balance" the act.

Who you kidding???????? ????