“We’ve Had Fishermen Stabbed, Their Boats Rammed, Of Course We’re Scared”

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NASSAU , THE BAHAMAS – A veteran fisherman sounded the alarm, after a brutal beatdown on the high seas went viral.

The shocking video of the incident spread across social media, showing Bahamian fishermen attacking alleged poachers.

However, as the National Fisheries Association Founding Director, Paul Maillis told our Joshua Williams, they are often the ones under attack.

Paul Maillis – Founding Director, National Fisheries Association of The Bahamas

“They are literally plundering our country, and we are doing nothing about it”

Raw frustration came from Paul Maillis, a fisherman with decades of experience.

For several minutes, punches were thrown and slaps dished out as expletives were shouted.

Before the clip ends, a man shouts, “Don’t come back!”

Maillis said these run-in incidents should be the last thing they should have to worry about when trying to feed their families.

Paul Maillis – Founding Director, National Fisheries Association of The Bahamas

“Commercial fishing should be worrying about the weather. They should be worrying about him getting employees for their trip getting provisions for their trips, buying equipment, buying boats and ordering… Business not worrying about policing our ocean “

He also stated that these confrontations can get very dangerous.

Paul Maillis – Founding Director, National Fisheries Association of The Bahamas

“We’ve had fisherman who been stabbed we’ve had fisherman. Who’ve had dangerous substance system thrown on board we’ve had fisherman who’ve had their boats ram we’ve had defense force vessels be rammed we’ve had nighttime pirate like intrusions on to vessels. It’s very scary we know they carry spare guns. We know they carry weapons. We know that they’re not afraid to ram your boat and they’re not afraid to heart hurt people who confront them so yeah, of course we’re scared.”

Paul Maillis – Founding Director, National Fisheries Association of The Bahamas

“The captain should be made aware and just try and do your best to protect yourself and ensure if there’s a worst case scenario, they’re coming to board you they’re coming with automatic weapons you know what is your plan to actually protect yourself so we have a fire on and that’s our main form of protection”

While he understands that the Defence Force is stretched thin, he said there are certain areas they need to focus their resources.

Paul Maillis – Founding Director, National Fisheries Association of The Bahamas

“Cay reef areas, bordering our country that they can get in and get out of so if you focus on those areas focus on those area at commercial fisherman target because they’re so rich then you will catch a deter a lot more poachers.”