Chinese Lobster Fishing Raises Eyebrows

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Environment Articles

Monday, 28 January 2013 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St. John's - Reports of Chinese nationals apparently found lobster fishing at Shell Beach recently have been met with mixed reactions.

On Sunday, residents expressed concern via a media call in programme, for what they say should be a case for national intervention.

Reports are that the individuals were spotted using nets on the beach that were tied to a tree and stretched into the water, seemingly to trap lobsters.

It was further reported that when confronted, the Chinese nationals simply severed the nets from the tree and allowed it to drift into the water before they left the area empty handed.

Environmentalist and fisherman Eli Fuller has raised questions with confrontation, asking why is it considered okay when locals employ the same practice at that very beach, often in broad daylight, but it requires national attention when a foreigner does it.

The practice is said to be illegal, and according to him, the spotlight should shine on whomever does it.

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“Those guys live up there and they are around Shell Beach. They are out there every week looking for anything they can find to eat”.

“I keep on saying it can’t be right for one and wrong for the other. How is it ok for Antiguans, Dominicans and the French to do it and not for Chinese?” Fuller said.

He cited instances where locals have been found bagging baby conch and immature lobsters on an almost daily basis with zero public alert.

“We have a serious problem with racism in this country. That’s the problem for me. It should be wrong for everybody – whomever is doing it,” Fuller said.

The complaints come as the country continues to battle to implement a revised fisheries regulations Act that would, among other things, set further limits on fishing practices like these.

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