The government intends to review boating fees and entry protocols after outcry from stakeholders.

Director of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, Latrae Rahming told reporters on Tuesday, “the government of The Bahamas has a vested interesting in the economic success of our family islanders. And so the Prime Minister is listening to what he is hearing. He met with the relevant team from the Ministry of Finance yesterday afternoon to discuss it much more broadly. And so we expect the Prime Minister will say the position of the government moving forward at some point.”

Marina owners blamed the near empty marinas and 40% decrease in traffic on the increase in boating fees implemented July 1st. Rahming said, “the purpose of the increase was really to make sure that The Bahamas was benefit from its marine environment, ensure that the environment was protected. There is a view whether or not the market right sized over a period of time. And so I think its the right thing for a government to do even when it implements a policy to be able to review that policy and see the impact of that policy over a short and medium term.”

Rahming’s statement came after the review was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the Hon. Chester Cooper in a press release.