New Bahamas Regs - Udate

[captadamr]

Originally Posted by edhartmansr

Just curious njoimia, have you seen any Bahamian Fish offiicials since you have been there? Where are you staying? What are Gas and Diesel prices now?

Gas 4.08
Fuel 3.19

[RiskTaker]

Here is an example of hoew the Florida Regulations work, in the event that any decision maker cares to observe, for any alternative solutions. In particular, this regulation covers extended stay trips, that with appropriate documentation, you may possess two daily bag limits, in possession.

I would think that if the Bahamas rules were applied fairly, there would be some provision to allow a larger possession limit for multi-day visits to the Bahamas.

Again, as the primary issue was discussed and shoved upon us, " in the name of conservation" for the fish, I presume: fishes are managed on a species and/or aggregate of a class of species which can be further explained at the following link. http://www.safmc.net/Portals/6/Library/Recregs.pdf

Disclaimer: These are not the Bahamas regulations, so don't get them confused with the present Bahamas rules presented earlier in this forum thread. It is only provided as an example for comparison and contrast, perhaps to provide an alternative management solution for future amendments.

State of Florida Recreational Fishing Regulations

In general, the daily bag limits set by commission rule for saltwater fishing are for a calendar day (24 hour period from midnight to midnight). These limits are also possession limits. Therefore, it is illegal to possess more than one day’s bag limit “while in, on, or above the waters of the State or on any dock, pier, bridge, beach or other fishing site adjacent to such waters” with regard to most species. Once you have caught and possess the bag limit for a species, you may not harvest any more of that species until the next 24 hour period. Thus it is illegal to take the catch to shore and then return to the sea to harvest another daily bag limit during the same calendar day.

Florida reef fish regulations [68B-14.0036 (7) (a) and (b)] have exceptions to the general rule stated above for the following fish: snapper (gray, red, Atlantic vermillion, cubera), red grouper, hogfish, black sea bass, red porgy, and amberjack (greater, lesser, banded rudderfish). The reef fish rule (a) allows for the possession of double the bag limit for one who has fished for more than one day, “once such person has landed the fish, departed the fishing site and is no longer within 100 yards of any state waters, docks, fishing piers, or other fishing sites.” Another exception (b) applies only when a person is fishing from a headboat or charter boat on a trip that spans more than 24 hours. This situation allows an individual to posses double the bag limit provided:

- The vessel has a sleeping berth for each passenger aboard the vessel;
- Each passenger possesses a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel that verifies the length of the trip.

End of Florida regulation quote.

Hey this is April, May is just around the corner. The busy recreational boating season is nearly here. I sure hope the Bahamas continues to enjoy the fishing visitors, some of which actually, obey limits: but with the new restrictive demersal limits, even the good-willed law abiding tourist may become an outlaw come sundown. Arrgh.

I don't really care for the idea to share 6 crawfish tails, 4 ways per vessel. Nor for the idea to release a 21 lb. grouper brought up from the depths that is looking at you bug eyed.

20 snappers or groupers, aggregate per person, with a provision for extended stay is where new rules should be adjusted to. Put larger limits on the deeper water fish, so the tourists could be motivated to spend less time on the shallow water reefs, which seems to be the root of the contention: locals not having easy access to their demersals in the shallows.