Fishing in seasonally protected waters has been extended by one week owing to the impact of adverse weather during the winter, Walter Roban, the Minister for Home Affairs, announced today.

Mr Roban said the decision had been made after discussions with technical experts.

“This winter has been a difficult one for many fishermen as windy conditions have limited the number of fishing days.

"As such, to assist the fishermen, the ministry has decided to keep these fishing grounds open for a little longer this year."

Fishing in the protected areas, known as “hind grounds” and “grouper grounds”, is being extended to April 22.

The protected areas will open as usual on August 15, and the “grouper boxes” — extended closure areas — will see fishing resume on the regular date of December 1.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Home Affairs added: “In 2017, the seasonally protected areas closed two weeks early following significantly larger catches of red hind from these areas in 2014 and 2016.

“The Department of Environment and Natural Resources advised that the increased catch in 2014 and 2016 was likely due to increased water temperatures causing red hind to gather and reproduce earlier in those years.

“Water temperatures in February and March this year have been cooler than the same months in 2014 and 2016.

“Fishers are also advised that marine resources officers have continued tagging studies on red hind to understand better the movements and the status of the red hind population.

“Black grouper have been tagged in the past as well.

“If you catch a tagged red hind or black grouper, all fishers are encouraged to contact the DENR marine resources section.

“Commercial fishermen are reminded that a bag limit of 50 red hinds per boat per day is in effect for April, and the bag limit of ten red hinds per boat per day will also remain in place from May 1 through August 31.

“Recreational fishermen are reminded that a bag limit of ten red hind per boat per day year-round is in effect for them.

“A bag limit of one black grouper per boat per day year-round is in place for all fishermen.”

More information on the situation is available from the DENR marine resources section which can be contacted at 293-5600, or fisheries@gov.bm.