Reductions in catch limits for sport fishing vessels take effect from January 1, 2007*
NEW LIMITS ARE:
- From the existing 6 crawfish per person to six per vessel
- From 20 pounds of demersal fish, such as groupers and snappers, per person to 20 pounds per vessel
- From a total of six for pelagic fish(dolphins, kingfish, wahoo, tuna) per person to six per vessel
- All fish retained must be kept with head and tail intact while aboard the vessel or transported by air to facilitate identification during inspection
- From 6 conchs per person to prohibit the catching of conch
*Exceptions would be made for persons participating in authorized fishing tournaments, where approved rules set other catch limits.
Catch Limits - AMENDMENT TO THE SPORTFISHING REGULATIONS
The Department of Marine Resources of The Government of The Bahamas has advised that effective October 19, 2007 several amendments to the Regulations governing sportfishing in The Islands of The Bahamas have been made as follows:
- Migratory species such as Wahoo, Kingfish, Tuna, or Dolphin shall NOT exceed (18) fish (previously six) aboard the vessel at any time.
- Billfishing species (Marlin, Sailfish or Swordfish) caught shall be released unharmed except where landed under the terms of an approved sportfishing event or tournament.
- In an effort to further protect our marine resources, the new regulations state that NO vessel shall have on board at anytime:
Marine Turtles
more than six (6) conch
more than ten (10) crawfish
more than sixty (60) pounds or twenty (20) fish whichever being the greater of scale fish per vessel (previously 20 lbs)
Please refer to fishing.bahamas.com for further information.
