The Bahamas made history this week at ICAST 2025, the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, with the first ministerial attendance by the Hon Vaughn P Miller, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources. Held July 15–17 in Orlando, Florida, ICAST, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, is the industry’s most influential event, attracting more than 15,000 participants from over 80 countries each year.
Now in its 68th year, ICAST is produced by the American Sportfishing Association and serves as the global headquarters for sportfishing commerce, manufacturing innovations, and discussions on science, policy, and conservation. For The Bahamas, a country whose identity and economy are deeply tied to the ocean, this year’s participation marked more than a diplomatic debut. It was a declaration of intent.
Minister Miller addressed exhibitors, industry leaders, sportfishing enthusiasts and conservation advocates alike with a message as bold as it was timely: The Bahamas is not only a premier destination for saltwater fly fishing, it is leading the way in conservation-first development models that empower communities while protecting global marine biodiversity.
The Minister described The Bahamas as: “a country with a long-standing and deeply rooted connection to sportfishing, particularly fly fishing which is more than just a pastime.” He continued saying: “It is a way of life, a source of livelihood, and has now formally become an established cornerstone of sustainable tourism and conservation for many of our island communities, especially those in the Family Islands.”
From the renowned flats of Andros to the cays of Abaco, The Bahamas is recognized as one of the finest fly fishing destinations on Earth, famed for its bonefish, tarpon, and permit. For decades the islands have drawn persons from all walks of life, from everyday enthusiasts to world leaders, including former U.S. President Richard Nixon, once guided by the legendary Bonefish Folley. Beneath the fun and fame, however, lies a critical truth: these waters are among the most important marine nursery systems in the world.
“The Bahamas has the largest flats of bonefish population in the world,” the Minister said. “As a result of this, we have the largest marine nursery system globally. This is why our turquoise waters are clearly visible from space.”
The Bahamas Fly Fishing Industry Association (BFFIA) was instrumental in the Minister’s presence at ICAST. Though officially established by law in 2012, the association’s origins stretch back more than 25 years. Led by global angling authorities such as President Captain Prescott Smith and Vice President Denny Rankine, the BFFIA has created a blueprint for grassroots conservation driven by the very people who depend on the environment to live.
“They have paved the way and have suffered for that leadership,” the Minister said. “ They have shown us that building from the ground up is the best way of bringing about their new model of conservation and empowerment which my government fully endorses. ”
The economic impact of sportfishing in The Bahamas is undeniable. It contributes between $140 and $170 million annually to the national economy and anchors a broader $1.2 billion fisheries value chain, accounting for nearly 15 percent of the country’s GDP. Yet as the Minister emphasized, its true value is far greater.
In true Bahamian fashion, the Minister posed an open invite for those attending the event to visit our islands. As he phrased it: “…not only to fish our legendary waters, but to meet the Bahamians who make the experience so special. Their hospitality is second to none, their expertise is world-class, and their commitment to conservation is unwavering.”
This year, that commitment took a major step forward. The Minister announced a new agreement, backed by the BFFIA and supported by the Environmental Defense Fund, to begin restoring blocked creeks and degraded marine nursery systems across the islands.
“I wish to publicly call on all of you to assist us in that endeavor,” the Minister told attendees. “We must be good stewards of what we have, so that it is sustained for all of us and, if I dare say, you global entities to enjoy and benefit from.”
Throughout the convention, the Minister engaged with international industry leaders, conservation organizations, and innovators in gear and habitat technology. The Bahamas’ message was clear: the future of sportfishing must be guided by equity, science, and sustainability, and island nations like ours are not just stakeholders, but standard-bearers.
The Minister closed by saying: “Let us continue to cast together — for fish, for the future, and for the generations yet to come.”
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