Commercial Fishermen

Phase 4 - 30th June 2020

PUBLIC HEALTH (COVID-19 EMERGENCY POWERS) REGULATIONS 2020 COMMERCIAL LICENSED (REGISTERED) FISHERMEN

The Government has now issued the PUBLIC HEALTH (COVID-19 EMERGENCY POWERS) REGULATIONS 2020 and changes were made to the activities permitted at sea and at roadside vending sites by licensed fishermen.

Please see the below updated curfew exemption guidance, and read carefully for changes. Should a commercial fisherman be challenged by a member of the Bermuda Police Service, Royal Bermuda Regiment, or the Fisheries Enforcement Section you must present your Fisheries ID card, which must be current (i.e. expiry on 31st March 2021). 

Operations: Commercial licensed (registered) fishermen are allowed to move around in the course of performing their work as licensed fishermen, including exemption from night time curfew for boat activities only.  A nightly curfew continues from midnight until 5am but this will be reviewed weekly. Licensed commercial fishermen are exempt from this curfew for the purposes of preparing for and undertaking offshore fishing operations. This does not include shore fishing, and licensed fishermen should not have any persons not registered as fishermen on their vessels during this time. However, outside of the curfew period, licensed fishermen may carry unregistered persons onboard a fishing vessel provided appropriate physical distancing can be and is maintained at all times.  In addition, the person in charge of any charter fishing vessel shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that all passengers and crew maintain appropriate physical distancing, and shall comply with any further directions of the Minister of Health regarding cleaning, sanitisation, use of personal protective equipment and other precautions to be taken, as published on the website www.gov.bm/coronavirus.  It should be noted that if any charter fishing vessel is operated otherwise than in compliance with the health guidelines, the Minister of Health may order the person in charge to cease operating the vessel.  Charter vessels can now be on the water overnight but cannot move during the curfew period.

Selling: Commercial licensed fishermen may sell fresh fish by the roadside or dock between 6am and 11pm.  These stalls may now open any day of the week.  The restrictions regarding the location of roadside stands have also been lifted. Operations of such must adhere to all directions of the Minister of Health; including but not limited to ensuring that the number of customers attending the area at any one time is limited and adhering to the approved 6 foot physical distancing standards between customers.  Masks and gloves should also be used.  Hand sanitizer must be available for the use of the sellers. 

Sites will be monitored for compliance by the Fisheries Wardens, as well as the Bermuda Police Service and Royal Bermuda Regiment. The Minister of Health has the authority to order the closure of any roadside stall that is not compliant with the Regulations.

Commercial fishermen may sell by prepaid order and pick up as well as delivery of product from their place of operation as per all directions of the Minister of Health.

All conditions of the commercial fishing license, as well as notices, and the Fisheries Act 1972 and attending Regulations and Orders must be adhered to.  Please be advised that the licensing deadline has passed.  Any vessel not currently licensed is not permitted to engage in fishing activities, and a deferral of inspection/licensing form will need to be completed before the CFC will proceed with licensing such vessels. The Licensing Office at Botanical Gardens continues to operate between 9am and 4:45pm from Monday to Friday.  The visitation restrictions have now been lifted for the Botanical Gardens office and fishermen will be served at any time during the hours of operation.  However, visits to the Coney Island facility must be made by appointment.  Please call 293-5600 or email fisheries@gov.bm to contact an officer at Coney Island.