Above: Bahamas Foreign Minister Frederick Mitchell (BIS Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Bahamas and the Dominican Republic will be holding talks on what the Bahamian government has termed “illegal fishing” by Dominican nationals in Bahamian waters.

The two sides have agreed on talks fro Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 on the problem, with a view to “ameliorating the issue and advancing discussions on other issues of mutual benefit,” according to a statement from the government of the Bahamas.

The talks will be held in the Dominican Republic. Bahamian Foreign Minister Frederick Mitchell will be leading a delegation including Agriculture Minister Alfred Gray, National Security Minister Bernard Nottage and Financial Services Minister Ryan Pinder.

Other stakeholders will also be joining Mitchell on the trip.

The government called it an issue that “has been an ongoing and historical challenge to the Bahamas and is an issue that encompasses economic, security, environmental and resource costs for the Bahamas.”

The talks will also include illegal migration, trade relations and areas such as agricultural imports, medical products and tourism investment.