New Bahamas Regs - Udate

[islandshark633]

The following came from the Bahamas Hotel Association, and may put the first real pressure on the Ministry to ease the 2007 regs -

Quote -
New Sports Fishing Limits Hurt Industry….
Adjustments Being Sought
While there is concurrence that efforts need to be stepped up to protect The Bahamas’ valuable fishing stocks, there are serious concerns that the catch limits are too restrictive and are turning away the avid sportfisherman, a staple for some areas of the nation’s tourism economy. Already, there have been reports of cancelled reservations and tournaments. The concerns are particularly strong in Grand Bahama, Abaco, Bimini and the northern islands and hoteliers promoting business at recent boat shows in Florida heard fierce resentment from longtime visitors.

BHA expressed these concerns last month during a meeting with the Minister of Tourism and recently when BHA President Russell Miller met with the Minister for Agriculture and Marine Resources Leslie Miller. The biggest concern lies with the new 20 pound per vessel limit for any demersal fish (groupers, snappers, etc). Minister Wilchcombe is advancing some modifications to the new rules and Minister Miller, with whose Ministry the ultimate decision lies, indicates that he will consider changes.

The rules do not apply to fish caught for local consumption and only applies to fish intended to be taken out of the country, according to Minister Miller. How that would be determined should a vessel be inspected and found to have an amount over the limit, is not clear.

BHA has conveyed its concerns to the Government in writing and will be following up on the matter. Several members have provided input and recommendations on the issue and additional feedback is welcome.
END QUOTE

[edhartmansr]

I sure hope they reconsider soon. I am (1) one of six (6) boats with reservations at Orchid Bay Marina for 2 months June and July. We are strongly considering our options on the East Coast (Keys)!!!!!

[lcosta02]

IS, can I see the publication where they state that?

[islandshark633]

I am not sure where this was released or published, but Frank Comito at the email address here is the chairman of the Bahamas Hotel Association and he would be worth contacting by anyone interested in helping him apply direct pressure to the Minister of Fisheries.

FComito@BahamasHotels.org

edhartmansr might..........

[edhartmansr]

I will be emailing Mr. Comito tonight!!!!!!!! Thanks IS !

[edhartmansr]

In talking with some fellow boaters who go to the Bahamas for extended trips, but do not fish. The question came up about purchasing fish from the Bahamians. Do the same rules of possesion apply to fish on board if you can produce a reciept of purchase??? The fish would also probably be filleted, not having the head and tail intact???? Can anyone give me some insight on this, to pass along to the Motor Yacht crowd on our dock???

[islandshark633]

I would say get a receipt, any BDF guy inspecting will be dumbfounded that you even have one, he wont know what to do and let you go.

I was in contact with another agency promoting the Bahamas tourism, they have an ad right next to the article in Florida Sport fishing lambasting the new regs. I emailed them and said I thought it was kind of ironic trying to promote fishing here next to an article pointing out that its a waste of time now... anyway they assured me they were doing everting they could to change things back.

[miamiangler1]

I understand why they are doing the regs ,, but it`s the guy`s that go across and load up on fish with out checking in at customs and running back to the U .S. the same day that are ruining it for everyone ... would be better if they set regs on deep dropping fish 5 snappers and 2 groupers per person per day ? just a thought ...

[broadminded]

I have been keeping close tabs on the whole new regs situation over in the islands since i cross about 15 - 20 times a year for the sole puropse of fishing and spearfishing. The link below leads to a diffrent website that has a new release from the BDF. They absolutley contradict themselves if i read correctly. Follow the link below and read the two diffrent sets of regs? In the second relase from Jan 30 it seems like they are saying you can have more fish on board only if you are leaving the country, did I read wrong? are they suggesting we stock up on fish right before we take off home? leave a cooler at the dock or somthing(cant be sounds dumb ... i was joking) .. I really think i misinterpeted somthing because i dont see how they can have two government documents that go against eachother so hard. Please shed some light on this for me?

http://hogfishworld.com/news/

[edhartmansr]

BM, I just read the regs amendment issued by the Dept. of Marine Resources, did you notice that that the Jan. 30th document has now removed TUNA from the 6 or more migratory fish. Has TUNA now been exempted from their Regs.??? Do these officials even have anyone proof read the laws before they publish them????? WOW !!!!

[islandshark633]

this may....or may not help. Seems to add more mud to the waters if you ask me. I really don't know what they want after reading this-

Department of MARINE RESOURCES

Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources

P. O. Box N 3028

Nassau, Bahamas



MA&MR/FIS/41

13th February 2007



fisheries@bahamas.gov.bs








FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON NEW SPORTSFISHING RULES.



1. What’s new in the Fisheries Regulations in The Bahamas?


There have been important changes to the bag limits or quantities of fish that a
Non Bahamian fisherman can have onboard his vessel. These bag limits are no
longer expressed in terms of quantity per person, but quantity per vessel. In
addition the harvesting of conch has been restricted and fishermen are required
to have the head and tail intact on any fish retained.

2. How much fish am I allowed to keep?


The catch limits in the new Regulation are expressed in terms of amounts that
may be aboard the vessel at any time. They are not per day limits, or per trip
limits. The new bag limits are:

6 pelagic fish (Dolphin, Wahoo, Kingfish or Tuna),

6 lobsters,

20 pounds of demersal fish

Fish that is used for food during the visit, or otherwise removed from the vessel,
cannot be counted since it is no longer aboard the vessel.

3. Am I allowed to eat any of the fish I catch?


The recent changes include a requirement to keep the head and tail intact. This
is to enable an inspector to properly identification and count the fish caught. This
does not prevent you from consuming fish you catch.

4. Can I clean and filet the fish I keep?


The recent changes include a requirement to keep the head and tail intact. This
is to enable an inspector to properly identification and count the fish caught. This
does not preclude the cleaning of fish caught, does not prevent you from
consuming any fish caught or from cutting a fish into 2 pieces to facilitate
storage. It does preclude you from cutting of fish into filets for storage.



5. What should I do if I catch a demersal fish (such as snapper or grouper)
more than 20 lbs in weight?


Inspectors are allowed to use their discretion in regards to “just over the limit”
fish. You should avoid difficulties by either, practicing catch and release for
larger sized fish, or targeting smaller sizes



6. Can I still use a spear for fishing?






The rules regarding use of a spear were not a part of the recent changes to the
Fisheries Regulations. Sportsfishermen visiting The Bahamas were, and still are,
limited to angling by with a hook and line held in the hand or attached to a rod
and reel. The Fisheries Regulations still prohibit sportsfishermen from the use of
a spear, trap or net (other than a landing net), unless such use is specifically
authorized. The authorization to use a spear is easy to get.

7. How do I get permission to engage in spearfishing?


A person wishing to use a spear should put this on their application form for the
sportsfishing permit. Permission may be granted by the officer issuing the permit
for the use of a spear with a hand held sling, referred to as a Hawaiian sling in
The Bahamas, or a pole spear. When permission is granted for the use of a
spear, this must be endorsed in writing on the permit by the issuing officer

8. Where can I go spearfishing?


Spearfishing is not allowed within 1 mile of the coast of New Providence or the
southern coast of Grand Bahama Island. It is also prohibited within 200 yards of
the coast of any Family Island.

9. Can I use a spear gun?


The use of a spear gun for fishing is not allowed in The Bahamas.

10. How many fishing reels can I have on my boat?


There is no limit to the number of rods you may have onboard the vessel. You
are limited to the use of six or less at any given time. The use of more than six
rods moves you to another category of sportsfishing vessel. The fee for such a
permit is $10,000.00 per year.

11. Can I use an electric reel?


Yes.

12. I own a home in The Bahamas. Do I still need a sportsfishing permit?


Any person who is not a Bahamian needs a sportsfishing permit if they wish to
engage in fishing from a vessel that is not Bahamian owned.

13. I intend to fish from the shore or a dock. Do I need a sportsfishing
permit?


No, because you will not be using a foreign owned vessel.

14. Can I use a cast net to gather bait fish?


The use of a net must be specifically authorized. If you wish to use a cast net to
gather bait, you must specify that you want to use this kind of gear on the
Sportsfishing Permit Application Form. Once approved the issuing officer will
include the use of the cast net when he issues the Sportsfishing Permit.

15. I intend to rent a boat when I visit The Bahamas. Do I need a
sportsfishing permit?


You will only need a sportsfishing permit if the boat you rent is not Bahamian
owned. Even when fishing from such a boat, a Non-Bahamian person must
observe the sportsfishing catch limits.

16. Can I still gather conchs while in The Bahamas?


Sportsfishermen are no longer allowed to gather conchs. Conch can still be
enjoyed in restaurants, and purchased from Bahamian seafood dealers.


17. How much fish can I take home when I leave The Bahamas?


Any person leaving the Bahamas is allowed to take with him, for non-commercial
purposes, a certain quantity of fishery products as a part of his personal
baggage. The limits are:

6 pelagic fish (Dolphin Wahoo or Kingfish)

20 lbs. of demersal fish

10 pounds of lobster or conch

18. Do I need a sportsfishing permit to go after bonefish?


This depends upon whether or not you are using a Non-Bahamian owned vessel.
A sportsfishing permit is required if you are fishing using a Non-Bahamian owned
boat

19. Is there a catch limit for bonefish?


There is no catch limit for bonefish. Catch and release is strongly encouraged.

20. Do I have to use a local fishing guide?


There is no requirement that you use a Bahamian guide. The Department of
Marine Resources encourages the use of Bahamian fishing guides as this
provides an enhanced fishing experience.

21. Can I sell some of the fish I catch in The Bahamas?


Visitors to The Bahamas are not allowed to sell or trade any fishery products.
This constitutes commercial fishing and would be a serious violation of the law.

22. Where can I get up-to-date information about the laws in The Bahamas
online.


Visit the Official Bahamas Government website www.bahamas.gov.bs or the
Official Tourism Website of the Islands of The Bahamas The Islands Of The Bahamas



[broadminded]

I am so confused over all of this that i do not know what to do. Nothing is final for me till i clear on friday in the abacos. im going to ask about a hundred question to the person prosessing me haha they will hate me and probaly not grant me a fishing permit,much less spear fishing permit.
I was under the impression that if we cuaght a demstral fish over the legal limit we could keep that fish and that fish only. I never heard anything about a bahamian official using his own discretion to figure it out. the only discretion that a bahamian officials have had with me was settled under the table if you catch my drift.
Im over with sterssing about this bullsh!t ill be in the abacos on friday and they still got the best damn conchfritters in the world and the rum is always good, just kinda hard to find whiskey in the bahamas some times whats that about?
BM

[quack quack]

A friend just got back and all the guys said to keep what you want no one is checking He asked the customs and Imigration guys about what was going on and what the new regs were and he said ((I don't know thats not me))My friend said well your the one selling me my liecence to fish.Then the guy said I am getting your vessel health chart but I am not a Dr. Then all the guys on the dock say keep what you want This is a joke.They do not have a clue

[broadminded]

Quack,
Do you know where your buddy was clearing at? i can see the guys in bimini and chub or other smaller islands sayign somthing like that but in marsh harbor or new providence i see a little more touble with it. every weekend of summer i dive the ginger breads or issacs out of bimini and to this day i have never seen one BFD or customs boat out there or even in bimini. but i have seen harbor patrol and other gov officials in berrer islands

[B767]

This is a joke.They do not have a clue

QQ U r not kiddin....I wonder if anyone have a clue as to the amount of boats they have in their fleet in order to patrol all of their territory. If we still go, I m sure I ll abide by the law. The risk is too great, but you have to admit, the whole thing is really and truly EMBARASSING....

[Disco Lady]

CONO!!!!!!!!!!

[quack quack]

My buddy was in a little out of the way port called Nassau a 5min cab ride from the ministry itself.

[RiskTaker]

Alan:

Thanks for providing those updated details, albeit dated over a month ago.

The good part is that you can petition the official when you clear, to do some of the things you have done traditionally....

Plus, the per person provision for departure baggage of seafood products for personal use, seems to be of practical measure.

But I still feel a bit traumatized: and that is just not Island Stylin, for a local non-resident. I am so embarrassed that things have resorted to these measures.

I hope and pray that any and all Island encounters with Bahamian officials are dealt with in a congenial way, providing that those encountered are not abusing the hospitality.

Ya Mon. RT

(P.S. - Did you catch the Cricket world cup in Kingston, JA? (Ireland vs. Pakistan)? I have a Power point but I do not know how to post it on forum details. Although, I can e-mail it as a 3 MB attachment, if anyone is interested.)

[BUCKEYE]

What is the per person provision for departure baggage of seafood products? Can it be filleted & vaccume sealed? I'm assuming they will not require dolphin, wahoo & tuna to be gutted whole for a plane ride back to the US.