Last year while diving at Tori's Reef in 12 feet of water, I was just about hooked by a very, very large hook being pulled behind a local fishing boat. The boat went right over my head. I noticed also, that every Sunday, it seemed to be open fishing for the locals wherever they wanted from land or using small boats. Some of the underwater sites are littered by lots of leftover lines and hooks. On two separate days, there were 3 Curacao fishing boats hanging around the South part of the island. Coming up is my 8th. trip to Bonaire. The uncontrolled fishing seems to be getting worse. Do any of you living in Bonaire have any suggestions as to what all of the rest of us could do to improve this situation? Maybe a writing campaign to the heads of the Marine Park or other offices?

Karen, I noticed this on two different occasions..luckily they were quite a few years apart...Once we were at Karpata and this fisherman was skinning parrot fish at the entry...I was so amazed that I fell over the steps and nearly ended up at the hospital..we also saw a boat of fisherman down by Margate Bay and they had what looked like a sailfish on their line....I do not know if this is legal or not..but it seems unholy to me!

It is certainly legal. Parott fish are caught regularly by local fisherman as are sailfish. They use handlines and do not overfish and have been catching reef fish for hundreds of years with no ill effects. It is when the folks from Curacao and other places begin to fish our reefs is when we are concerned. Everything that is caught is eaten and it is well within the legal rights of the locals to fish. Also, they use nets on occassion to catch masbangos and it seems to be contray to conservation, but it is the Bonairean way of life and is perfectly legal.