A plan that would have basically given China fishing rights in the Bahamas died a quick death thanks to an outpouring of criticism, both in the island nation and from Florida anglers.
On Nov. 1, the Nassau Guardian newspaper reported that the Bahamian embassy in China was pursuing a deal to have China pay the Bahamas $2.1 billion over 10 years for considerations that included vastly expanded commercial fishing in Bahamian waters.
The outcry was so loud and sustained that on Nov. 23, the Nassau Tribune newspaper quoted Prime Minister Perry Christie as saying to the House of Assembly, "The government of the Bahamas did not agree to any such proposition, did not consider any such proposition, it did not come before the government as a proposal, and it would not have reached the government because it would have been rejected outright."
