Yesterday Crooked Tree residents were outraged after they were stopped from fishing in their Lagoon. For these villagers, fishing is a way of life and survival but all that came under threat yesterday when the police and personnel from the Forest Department and the Audubon Society showed up and told them they were not allowed to fish. They explained to the fishermen that although they have access and certain freedoms to use the lagoon, there are strict regulations that govern the use of the lagoon since it part of a protected area. Today Assistant Commissioner of Police Edward Broaster discussed those regulations and the work they have been doing with the forest department to stop illegal activity in specific areas.
ACP Edward Broaster, OC, Eastern Division Rural
"Well, what happened, we have a lot of illegal fishing being done in the lagoon area where the individuals come and set net. Now, there are specific periods in time when they give license for fishermen to go into that area and carry out fishing activity and they are supposed to catch a limited amount or a specific amount, bearing the license that they are issued. So, any activity outside of the license that have been issued to any fishermen is deemed illegal and will be dealt with."
No one has been charged in this case.
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