This month Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA) will hold a series of town hall meetings on South Caicos, Grand Turk, North Caicos and Providenciales, in order to inform interested and affected individuals of the amendments to the Fisheries Protection Ordinance. The proposed amendments include:
1. A ban on pelagic long-line fishing;
2. A special licensing requirement for trap boats carrying more than 20 traps, including registration, reporting and trap placement restrictions;
3. A minimum and maximum size restriction for Nassau Grouper;
4. A minimum size for all snapper species, excluding red and black snappers;
5. A minimum size for bonefish;
6. A ban on gill nets;
7. Regulations for stone crab;
8. A ban on the taking of sea cucumbers;
9. A ban on commercial export of sharks and rays; and
10. Regulations governing the taking of lionfish.
Meetings will be held as follows:
•Provo meeting: Wednesday 29th April 7pm, Five Cays Community Centre;
•Grand Turk: Tuesday 5th May, 7pm, Dillon Hall;
•South Caicos: Wednesday 6th May, 7pm, DEMA Office;
•North Caicos: Tuesday, 12th May, 7pm, Adelaide Oemler Primary School.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact DEMA via email at