New Bahamas Fishing Reg's 2007

Beer Bones · 11-30-2006, 07:45 AM

The Minister of agriculture and fisheries has announced new catch limits for vessel's fishing in the Bahamas. The admendments come into effect on January 1st. 2007. They are as follows-

*From six(6) Crawfish per person to six(6) per vessel
*The total ban on harvesting Conch
*From 20 pounds demersal fish(grouper, snapper) per person to 20 pounds per boat.
*from six(6) pelagic fish(Tuna, Dolphin,Wahoo,Kingfish) per person to six pelagic fish per boat.
*All fish caught and retained must be kept with head and tail intact while aboard vessel or transported by air to facilitate identifacation during inspection.

Please take note of new Reg's and help the Bahamas perserve their marine resources

.

quack quack · 11-30-2006, 08:09 AM

So if we get a 25lb grouper it is a throw back?If I am there for 5 days I can not fillet any fish and put into bags?

Beer Bones · 11-30-2006, 08:33 AM

QQ i read what i posted in todays Tribune. I would guess that you are correct in your assumption. It looks like we have pillaged the seas for so long it is finally coming down to the nitty gritty and we are reaping what we as the top predator have sown.

quack quack · 11-30-2006, 08:52 AM

I disagree.The fishing in 99% of the islands is as good as ever.I have been going over for 25yrs.I agree there are some guys that take way to much but they are the exception not the rule.Most guys I know that get a lot of fish give half or more to the natives when they get in.So who is this going to hurt more.Besides those fishing rules do not apply to native fisherman.Summer crab and such

.I think the new rules are a joke and if anything just giving the local navy more reasons to impound your boat and hold it for ransom

.The islands had a hard enough time with the storms and the 9-11 laws now this.They just made it easier to go back and forth now this.

islandshark633 · 11-30-2006, 04:15 PM

last I knew about it this new stuff is aimed at 2 groups of people, first the Dominicans etc who come up from South and catch/kill and bleach anything that moves wreaking all out destruction and secondly the few boats coming from the US who load up with literally thousnads of pounds of fish and take it all away.

As with most of these situations the bulk of the law abiding citizens are punished for the transgressions of the few. I have personally witnessed rec fishing boats coming to Harbor island for weeks at a time, catching as many yellowfin as they can and shipping the fish back to Miami by air. Not exactly recreational fishing.....I also know about a fisheries inspector going to one of the Wahoo champ legs last year and seeing the handful of fish weighed in, he was stunned to see later that nearly all the boats had caught not just the few fish weighed, but LOTS more, far above the quota.

I guess the good guys will always suffer

captadamr · 11-30-2006, 06:05 PM

I dont think Tournaments are included in the new catch limits.

Lets not forget about the slaughter of dolphin in Exuma Sound every spring.......

poolman · 11-30-2006, 09:02 PM

Well,so much for that weekend bahama trip

I think there will be lots more boaters stateside who will feel the same.You guys in the islands will have to start getting used to an ancient american custom...tax hike

captadamr · 12-01-2006, 12:06 AM

OK well not to stir the pot, but since you cannot come over to fill the coolers or catch what you please then fisherman wont travel to the Bahamas? I think the limits may be a little low, but catch and release is getting popular isnt it?
Who can comsume more than 6 lobsters per night?
20 pounds of snapper is allot. (Assuming it is 20lb after cleaning)
6 pelagics, so that can be from 20 pounds to 600 pounds of fish per day, depending on the size of the fish you keep.
So why not keep what you can, and release the rest, so the next trip you make there will be more to catch.
And if boats were making the crossing for the large limits, well then i guess that changes allot, and personally they can stay in the US. I dont take people on my boat meat fishing, its recreational not commercial fishing, and thats what these new limits prevent. I give the goverment credit for changing a limit that has been in effect for way to long

Gaitor · 12-01-2006, 05:40 AM

I'll bet the Bahamian marinas will take a hit in their collective wallets come the next opening lobster season.
I could barely afford going over there before and now it won't be worth it. I understand why they are doing it ... they need to preserve what they have to ensure long term tourism and a means for their own fishermen to make a living. All I can say is ... Good luck Mon!

Beer Bones · 12-01-2006, 08:27 AM

I say stay home if you only where coming over here to for the large catch limits of old. I as a bahamian cannot go to florida and catch a single conch or crawfish why should americans be able to come here and do what they cannot do in america. I obey your laws as i should so please give Bahamians the same respect. Islandshark hit the nail on the head, I used to be a comercial fisherman in Abaco and the rape of the lobster in August was outragous. I had to compete with americans daily that where diving habitats my Capt. and myself had worked long and hard setting up. I am surprised the goverment did not put a total ban on forgieners harvesting crawfish. Once again this is not everybody taking advantage just a few but one bad apple as they say. Also it is amazing that Americans can bring their boats over here and set up a charter fishing bussiness for the summer, a bahamian could never go to the U.S. and do the same. Double standards to say the least. Also QQ you don't think Bahamians can catch their own fish? Sure it's nice to get some free but nobody will starve if it doesen't happen. These laws needed updating.

quack quack · 12-01-2006, 09:07 AM

I never said you cant catch your own fish.It is a shame that some guys take such advantage of the good fishing over there.But in reality the new law say's 20lbs and fish must be whole.6 pelagic would most likely be 6 5 to 8lb phins.Maybe a tuna or hoo but 90% of the time it would be small phins.20lbs of whole yellowtail =8 to 12 fish.Those laws are more restrictive then US limits.All of you know there are 2 sets of fish regs 1 for tourists and 1 for natives and that is how it should be but if those new laws are put in place and inforced it will be a shame.May to Sep is the season for US boats to cross that is only 5 months.The rest of the time except for holidays and big boats there are few out of towners fishing.The fees to enter have gone up and still boats came over.Gas at $4 a gal,The 9-11 rules made it a pain to go and still boats came over.Now with all the that said they want to make it so you can only keep 10 yellowtail and maybe 6 pelagics a day.Come on I am a sport fisherman but that is a tough pill for me to swallow.Weekend trip costs $1,500 to $2000 for a small boat including gas,bait,fees,hotel and all the other $ spent.I say leave the limits alone and just enforce the current laws.I love the islands and go over 2 to 4 times a year.But now I will be thinking about more keys trip instead.I will be calling some friends over there to see what they think about this.

Ps Ask any one in the islands if Capt Chuck from the Bream Killer ever helped them out.

miamiangler1 · 12-01-2006, 12:18 PM

Hell why should I have to pay 150 dollars to fish there two days, gas lodging , food ... 1500DOLLARS and only allowed to 6 lobsters , 6 pelagics, 20lbs bottom fish of everything if you have a boat of 4 people ... Hell rather spend the money in the Forida Keys be a lot cheaper and no hasles!!! LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO STARVE WITHOUT US GUY`S MAKING THE TRIP ACROSS THE SEA!!!

quack quack · 12-01-2006, 01:15 PM

As of now they are proposed changes.I called the Bahamas dept of fishery's and they told me they are only proposed right now.I have to call back and speak to the person in charge,he was out to lunch.I will tell him how we feel and get info on who else to speak too.I will share the info and post it when I get it.

billspilingup · 12-01-2006, 02:00 PM

I will not go to the islands with those regulations in effect for two reasons.

1) It is too expensive to go over just for a few fish.
2) The enforcement of the new laws will be out of hand and I'm not going to get needlessly harassed (like being stopped twice in two days as happened to me in August of '05) or have my boat confiscated because the 1 grouper I caught weighed 21 pounds.

I cannot wait until Cuba opens up.

quack quack · 12-01-2006, 02:33 PM

I just talked to Mr.Loyd with the Dept of fishery's and it is true those are the new reg's

I asked if any studies were done on what effect this could have on the boating over there and he was not aware of any.when I asked him if he thought the new laws were fair he said as a govt employee he supports the laws.

Oh my god this is outrageous.I asked him if I got 1 grouper that weighed 22lb would I be in violation and he said yes.He is sending me some info via email and I will post it.

islandshark633 · 12-01-2006, 03:43 PM

Hands up - who's country has a perfect set of fishing laws?

captadamr · 12-01-2006, 04:48 PM

The Bahamas consists of more than Bimini and Grand Bahama. Unfortunatly those Islands will suffer the most from the new Regs. The other islands will nto suffer, ie Abaco, because of the big tournament that do not fall under the new regs, and those big tournaments in the Bahamas are mainly billfish tournys.

I am stil wondering is the only reason boats are coming to the Bahamas is to go home with a freezer full?
The old regs are way outdated 6 pelagics per person per day, Avertage boat is 4 people that 24 pelagics per day

. or 24 lobster per day

When i go out on my boat i never dive more than a dozen per day.

Time wil only tell, and I hope the Gov doesnt give in and change the Regs

billspilingup · 12-01-2006, 05:16 PM

One of the reasons I go fishing is to eat fish. Am I supposed to suspend that desire to eat fish just because I'm in the Islands? No, that's idiotic. I'm not over there day after day. We'd go over for a few days, catch some fish, and not come back for a few months. Whenever we kept the boat in the Islands for a month or two, we'd fly back and forth, oftentimes with some fish, and while we were over there fish for a few meals.

24 lobster is not excessive for 4 people. Some will get eaten the next day and two or three will get eaten that night by each person. I've wolfed down 7 or 8 after a long day of diving, 6 per boat is too little.

Conch is a pain to clean and pound so I'll concede that species.

24 pelagics is not excessive either. A few minutes in a school of dolphin will do that and good luck finding lots of people who can do that with wahoo or tuna. Frankly, I can catch dolphin at home, I don't like them in the Bahamas because they take up valuable freezer space and fishing time that could better be used for snapper or wahoo.

20lbs of bottom fish per boat? I have deep drop spots that I expect to bring up 60lbs of snapper per drop and these spots have been in the family for 30+ years and producing every visit. 20lbs of whole yellowtail? With an average weight of 2lbs apiece, you get maybe 10lbs of meat and I'll eat two whole average size yellowtails for dinner and still have dessert.

Tournaments bring in money but only for those areas and for the period of time during which they are being run. If I can't legally fish Bimini for a weekend, am I going to run my boat to Harbor Island or San Salvador for two weeks? No, it can't be justified. I'm a fisherman.

If the Bahamas value the average recreational fisherman visiting from the states, they need to have friendlier catch limits. Perhaps copy florida regs? It would make sense but I guess we can't expect that from any government regarding fishery management.

captadamr · 12-01-2006, 05:40 PM

[quote=billspilingup;34845]
24 lobster is not excessive for 4 people. Some will get eaten the next day and two or three will get eaten that night by each person. I've wolfed down 7 or 8 after a long day of diving, 6 per boat is too little.

If you can eat 7 or 8 tails that we dive up then you are gifted... the average size we get is a 8-10" tail, not the 6 in shrimps.... 24 lobster per day is excessive. If you dive for 3 or 4 days, then well over 70 if you limit out.... Another thing that makes it worse is if those are taken from habitats placed by local fisherman. Dont say it doesnt happen, because there was an article in Florida Sportsman that encourged boaters to raid the condos, and just stopped short of giving GPS #s to some. But I guess to some cleaning a condo that some fisherman spent his money to build and set is acceptable because it is on the seafloor and public property.

You may not spend more than a few days a month here, but there are boats that spend the entire season, catching the limit everyday. I just found a post in a thread down a few, with someone talking about filling the freezers in a Viking and haveing no room for anymore "YFT's". Its unfortunate that the once a month boaters will suffer, but you cant have limits for seasonal boats or stream jumpers.

billspilingup · 12-01-2006, 09:34 PM

[quote=captadamr;34847]

Quote:

Originally Posted by billspilingup

24 lobster is not excessive for 4 people. Some will get eaten the next day and two or three will get eaten that night by each person. I've wolfed down 7 or 8 after a long day of diving, 6 per boat is too little.

If you can eat 7 or 8 tails that we dive up then you are gifted... the average size we get is a 8-10" tail, not the 6 in shrimps.... 24 lobster per day is excessive. If you dive for 3 or 4 days, then well over 70 if you limit out.... Another thing that makes it worse is if those are taken from habitats placed by local fisherman. Dont say it doesnt happen, because there was an article in Florida Sportsman that encourged boaters to raid the condos, and just stopped short of giving GPS #s to some. But I guess to some cleaning a condo that some fisherman spent his money to build and set is acceptable because it is on the seafloor and public property.

You may not spend more than a few days a month here, but there are boats that spend the entire season, catching the limit everyday. I just found a post in a thread down a few, with someone talking about filling the freezers in a Viking and haveing no room for anymore "YFT's". Its unfortunate that the once a month boaters will suffer, but you cant have limits for seasonal boats or stream jumpers.

I'm talking about the barely legal shrimp lobster...the only ones left in shallow water after the native fishermen load their boats with hundreds of tails (and then offer them for sale to visiting divers having trouble finding their limits).

If diving condos is the issue then legislate against diving the condos, don't wipe out fishing all together. If trip limits are the answer to stop boats from racking up 10 or 20 days worth of limits on monthlong trips then set and enforce reasonable trip limits. I'm not saying American fishermen should be able to do whatever they want but if we are able and willing to come to your country and spend all that money there, then we should have some incentive to do so.

I noticed you did not address bottom fish or pelagics. Surely you stop fishing after you catch one 20lb grouper, right? Surely you find something objectionable in continuing to bottom fish after catching a 20lb grouper and a few yellowtails?

To catch 7 dolphin in one outing is horrible and excessive...right?

The results of these new rules are simple - many boats will not head over to the islands come the first of the new year. Perhaps the Bahamas do not want our business anymore.

If it is not worth my time and money to go, I will not go.

11-30-2006, 07:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Beer Bones Lines In Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bahamas Posts: 42	New Bahamas Fishing Reg's 2007 The Minister of agriculture and fisheries has announced new catch limits for vessel's fishing in the Bahamas. The admendments come into effect on January 1st. 2007. They are as follows- From six(6) Crawfish per person to six(6) per vessel The total ban on harvesting Conch From 20 pounds demersal fish(grouper, snapper) per person to 20 pounds per boat. from six(6) pelagic fish(Tuna, Dolphin,Wahoo,Kingfish) per person to six pelagic fish per boat. *All fish caught and retained must be kept with head and tail intact while aboard vessel or transported by air to facilitate identifacation during inspection. Please take note of new Reg's and help the Bahamas perserve their marine resources .

11-30-2006, 08:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
quack quack Old Salt Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: lake worth Best Catch: 25lb codfish 5 yrs old first hanger Posts: 4,456	So if we get a 25lb grouper it is a throw back?If I am there for 5 days I can not fillet any fish and put into bags? __________________ Either we can be a part of the solution or we can be the victims of a decision.

11-30-2006, 08:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
quack quack Old Salt Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: lake worth Best Catch: 25lb codfish 5 yrs old first hanger Posts: 4,456	I disagree.The fishing in 99% of the islands is as good as ever.I have been going over for 25yrs.I agree there are some guys that take way to much but they are the exception not the rule.Most guys I know that get a lot of fish give half or more to the natives when they get in.So who is this going to hurt more.Besides those fishing rules do not apply to native fisherman.Summer crab and such .I think the new rules are a joke and if anything just giving the local navy more reasons to impound your boat and hold it for ransom .The islands had a hard enough time with the storms and the 9-11 laws now this.They just made it easier to go back and forth now this. __________________ Either we can be a part of the solution or we can be the victims of a decision.

11-30-2006, 04:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
islandshark633 Hooked Up Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NC & Bahamas Boat: Sold Best Catch: 56# Misty, 100+# Pacific Sail Occupation: Custom Lures & Rods Posts: 675	last I knew about it this new stuff is aimed at 2 groups of people, first the Dominicans etc who come up from South and catch/kill and bleach anything that moves wreaking all out destruction and secondly the few boats coming from the US who load up with literally thousnads of pounds of fish and take it all away. As with most of these situations the bulk of the law abiding citizens are punished for the transgressions of the few. I have personally witnessed rec fishing boats coming to Harbor island for weeks at a time, catching as many yellowfin as they can and shipping the fish back to Miami by air. Not exactly recreational fishing.....I also know about a fisheries inspector going to one of the Wahoo champ legs last year and seeing the handful of fish weighed in, he was stunned to see later that nearly all the boats had caught not just the few fish weighed, but LOTS more, far above the quota. I guess the good guys will always suffer __________________ www.BahamaLure.com The Eyes Have It

12-01-2006, 12:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
captadamr Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Nassau, Bahamas Boat: 2 Hats, 1 Post and a Tiara Best Catch: Blue Marlin 135" 600+ Occupation: Captain Posts: 233	OK well not to stir the pot, but since you cannot come over to fill the coolers or catch what you please then fisherman wont travel to the Bahamas? I think the limits may be a little low, but catch and release is getting popular isnt it? Who can comsume more than 6 lobsters per night? 20 pounds of snapper is allot. (Assuming it is 20lb after cleaning) 6 pelagics, so that can be from 20 pounds to 600 pounds of fish per day, depending on the size of the fish you keep. So why not keep what you can, and release the rest, so the next trip you make there will be more to catch. And if boats were making the crossing for the large limits, well then i guess that changes allot, and personally they can stay in the US. I dont take people on my boat meat fishing, its recreational not commercial fishing, and thats what these new limits prevent. I give the goverment credit for changing a limit that has been in effect for way to long Last edited by captadamr : 12-01-2006 at 12:12 AM.

11-30-2006, 08:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Beer Bones Lines In Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bahamas Posts: 42	QQ i read what i posted in todays Tribune. I would guess that you are correct in your assumption. It looks like we have pillaged the seas for so long it is finally coming down to the nitty gritty and we are reaping what we as the top predator have sown.

11-30-2006, 06:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
captadamr Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Nassau, Bahamas Boat: 2 Hats, 1 Post and a Tiara Best Catch: Blue Marlin 135" 600+ Occupation: Captain Posts: 233	I dont think Tournaments are included in the new catch limits. Lets not forget about the slaughter of dolphin in Exuma Sound every spring.......

11-30-2006, 09:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
poolman Lines In Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ft. Pierce Fl Boat: 296 King Cat Best Catch: 72 lb Warsaw 400 ft willie style Occupation: Swimming pool remodeling Posts: 97	Well,so much for that weekend bahama trip I think there will be lots more boaters stateside who will feel the same.You guys in the islands will have to start getting used to an ancient american custom...tax hike

12-01-2006, 05:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
Gaitor Hooked Up Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Palm Beach Gardens,FL Boat: 25 ft HydraSports Best Catch: 150 lb Pacific Sail, 100 lb Tarpon from the surf Occupation: Old Retired Fart Posts: 558	I'll bet the Bahamian marinas will take a hit in their collective wallets come the next opening lobster season. I could barely afford going over there before and now it won't be worth it. I understand why they are doing it ... they need to preserve what they have to ensure long term tourism and a means for their own fishermen to make a living. All I can say is ... Good luck Mon!

12-01-2006, 08:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
Beer Bones Lines In Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bahamas Posts: 42	I say stay home if you only where coming over here to for the large catch limits of old. I as a bahamian cannot go to florida and catch a single conch or crawfish why should americans be able to come here and do what they cannot do in america. I obey your laws as i should so please give Bahamians the same respect. Islandshark hit the nail on the head, I used to be a comercial fisherman in Abaco and the rape of the lobster in August was outragous. I had to compete with americans daily that where diving habitats my Capt. and myself had worked long and hard setting up. I am surprised the goverment did not put a total ban on forgieners harvesting crawfish. Once again this is not everybody taking advantage just a few but one bad apple as they say. Also it is amazing that Americans can bring their boats over here and set up a charter fishing bussiness for the summer, a bahamian could never go to the U.S. and do the same. Double standards to say the least. Also QQ you don't think Bahamians can catch their own fish? Sure it's nice to get some free but nobody will starve if it doesen't happen. These laws needed updating.

12-01-2006, 09:07 AM	#11 (permalink)
quack quack Old Salt Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: lake worth Best Catch: 25lb codfish 5 yrs old first hanger Posts: 4,456	I never said you cant catch your own fish.It is a shame that some guys take such advantage of the good fishing over there.But in reality the new law say's 20lbs and fish must be whole.6 pelagic would most likely be 6 5 to 8lb phins.Maybe a tuna or hoo but 90% of the time it would be small phins.20lbs of whole yellowtail =8 to 12 fish.Those laws are more restrictive then US limits.All of you know there are 2 sets of fish regs 1 for tourists and 1 for natives and that is how it should be but if those new laws are put in place and inforced it will be a shame.May to Sep is the season for US boats to cross that is only 5 months.The rest of the time except for holidays and big boats there are few out of towners fishing.The fees to enter have gone up and still boats came over.Gas at $4 a gal,The 9-11 rules made it a pain to go and still boats came over.Now with all the that said they want to make it so you can only keep 10 yellowtail and maybe 6 pelagics a day.Come on I am a sport fisherman but that is a tough pill for me to swallow.Weekend trip costs $1,500 to $2000 for a small boat including gas,bait,fees,hotel and all the other $ spent.I say leave the limits alone and just enforce the current laws.I love the islands and go over 2 to 4 times a year.But now I will be thinking about more keys trip instead.I will be calling some friends over there to see what they think about this. Ps Ask any one in the islands if Capt Chuck from the Bream Killer ever helped them out. __________________ Either we can be a part of the solution or we can be the victims of a decision. Last edited by quack quack : 12-01-2006 at 09:10 AM.

12-01-2006, 12:18 PM	#12 (permalink)
miamiangler1 Grander Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: north miami, keystone point Boat: ,live bait ,deep dropping,swordfishing Best Catch: 7ft sailfish on 10#test with diawaBG20, 100#tarpon on 6#test baitcaster bass rod Occupation: selfemployed,real estate, painter,model builder Posts: 1,511	Hell why should I have to pay 150 dollars to fish there two days, gas lodging , food ... 1500DOLLARS and only allowed to 6 lobsters , 6 pelagics, 20lbs bottom fish of everything if you have a boat of 4 people ... Hell rather spend the money in the Forida Keys be a lot cheaper and no hasles!!! LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO STARVE WITHOUT US GUY`S MAKING THE TRIP ACROSS THE SEA!!!

12-01-2006, 01:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
quack quack Old Salt Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: lake worth Best Catch: 25lb codfish 5 yrs old first hanger Posts: 4,456	As of now they are proposed changes.I called the Bahamas dept of fishery's and they told me they are only proposed right now.I have to call back and speak to the person in charge,he was out to lunch.I will tell him how we feel and get info on who else to speak too.I will share the info and post it when I get it. __________________ Either we can be a part of the solution or we can be the victims of a decision.

12-01-2006, 02:00 PM	#14 (permalink)
billspilingup Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lighthouse Point Boat: 31' Ocean Master Best Catch: 300lb & 200lb back to back daytimers Posts: 443	I will not go to the islands with those regulations in effect for two reasons. 1) It is too expensive to go over just for a few fish. 2) The enforcement of the new laws will be out of hand and I'm not going to get needlessly harassed (like being stopped twice in two days as happened to me in August of '05) or have my boat confiscated because the 1 grouper I caught weighed 21 pounds. I cannot wait until Cuba opens up.

12-01-2006, 02:33 PM	#15 (permalink)
quack quack Old Salt Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: lake worth Best Catch: 25lb codfish 5 yrs old first hanger Posts: 4,456	I just talked to Mr.Loyd with the Dept of fishery's and it is true those are the new reg's I asked if any studies were done on what effect this could have on the boating over there and he was not aware of any.when I asked him if he thought the new laws were fair he said as a govt employee he supports the laws. Oh my god this is outrageous.I asked him if I got 1 grouper that weighed 22lb would I be in violation and he said yes.He is sending me some info via email and I will post it. __________________ Either we can be a part of the solution or we can be the victims of a decision.

12-01-2006, 03:43 PM	#16 (permalink)
islandshark633 Hooked Up Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NC & Bahamas Boat: Sold Best Catch: 56# Misty, 100+# Pacific Sail Occupation: Custom Lures & Rods Posts: 675	Hands up - who's country has a perfect set of fishing laws?

12-01-2006, 04:48 PM	#17 (permalink)
captadamr Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Nassau, Bahamas Boat: 2 Hats, 1 Post and a Tiara Best Catch: Blue Marlin 135" 600+ Occupation: Captain Posts: 233	The Bahamas consists of more than Bimini and Grand Bahama. Unfortunatly those Islands will suffer the most from the new Regs. The other islands will nto suffer, ie Abaco, because of the big tournament that do not fall under the new regs, and those big tournaments in the Bahamas are mainly billfish tournys. I am stil wondering is the only reason boats are coming to the Bahamas is to go home with a freezer full? The old regs are way outdated 6 pelagics per person per day, Avertage boat is 4 people that 24 pelagics per day . or 24 lobster per day When i go out on my boat i never dive more than a dozen per day. Time wil only tell, and I hope the Gov doesnt give in and change the Regs

12-01-2006, 05:16 PM	#18 (permalink)
billspilingup Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lighthouse Point Boat: 31' Ocean Master Best Catch: 300lb & 200lb back to back daytimers Posts: 443	One of the reasons I go fishing is to eat fish. Am I supposed to suspend that desire to eat fish just because I'm in the Islands? No, that's idiotic. I'm not over there day after day. We'd go over for a few days, catch some fish, and not come back for a few months. Whenever we kept the boat in the Islands for a month or two, we'd fly back and forth, oftentimes with some fish, and while we were over there fish for a few meals. 24 lobster is not excessive for 4 people. Some will get eaten the next day and two or three will get eaten that night by each person. I've wolfed down 7 or 8 after a long day of diving, 6 per boat is too little. Conch is a pain to clean and pound so I'll concede that species. 24 pelagics is not excessive either. A few minutes in a school of dolphin will do that and good luck finding lots of people who can do that with wahoo or tuna. Frankly, I can catch dolphin at home, I don't like them in the Bahamas because they take up valuable freezer space and fishing time that could better be used for snapper or wahoo. 20lbs of bottom fish per boat? I have deep drop spots that I expect to bring up 60lbs of snapper per drop and these spots have been in the family for 30+ years and producing every visit. 20lbs of whole yellowtail? With an average weight of 2lbs apiece, you get maybe 10lbs of meat and I'll eat two whole average size yellowtails for dinner and still have dessert. Tournaments bring in money but only for those areas and for the period of time during which they are being run. If I can't legally fish Bimini for a weekend, am I going to run my boat to Harbor Island or San Salvador for two weeks? No, it can't be justified. I'm a fisherman. If the Bahamas value the average recreational fisherman visiting from the states, they need to have friendlier catch limits. Perhaps copy florida regs? It would make sense but I guess we can't expect that from any government regarding fishery management.

12-01-2006, 05:40 PM	#19 (permalink)
captadamr Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Nassau, Bahamas Boat: 2 Hats, 1 Post and a Tiara Best Catch: Blue Marlin 135" 600+ Occupation: Captain Posts: 233	[quote=billspilingup;34845] 24 lobster is not excessive for 4 people. Some will get eaten the next day and two or three will get eaten that night by each person. I've wolfed down 7 or 8 after a long day of diving, 6 per boat is too little. If you can eat 7 or 8 tails that we dive up then you are gifted... the average size we get is a 8-10" tail, not the 6 in shrimps.... 24 lobster per day is excessive. If you dive for 3 or 4 days, then well over 70 if you limit out.... Another thing that makes it worse is if those are taken from habitats placed by local fisherman. Dont say it doesnt happen, because there was an article in Florida Sportsman that encourged boaters to raid the condos, and just stopped short of giving GPS #s to some. But I guess to some cleaning a condo that some fisherman spent his money to build and set is acceptable because it is on the seafloor and public property. You may not spend more than a few days a month here, but there are boats that spend the entire season, catching the limit everyday. I just found a post in a thread down a few, with someone talking about filling the freezers in a Viking and haveing no room for anymore "YFT's". Its unfortunate that the once a month boaters will suffer, but you cant have limits for seasonal boats or stream jumpers. Last edited by captadamr : 12-01-2006 at 05:43 PM.