There has been a lot of buzz on the proposal Bahamian regulation on foreign flats fly fishermen. We received an email this morning from the Delphi Club and this is what they summarized for the proposed regulations:
A non-Bahamian must have a permit to fish the flats – costing $20 per day.
Permits to be issued by the Marine Dept., a certified guide, a certified lodge or the local government administrator.
There is a right of appeal to the Marine Dept. for any refusal
50% of permit proceeds go to central government & 50% to conservation.
Guides & lodge operators need to be certified by the Marine Dept.
Guides must (a) be a Bahamian or a permanent resident, and (b) be a holder if class B captain’s licence, and (c) have completed Tourism ministry training course and refreshers, and (d) have satisfied “all Marine Dept criteria” [not defined] & paid $150pa
Lodge operators must (a) be a Bahamian or a permanent resident, and (b) have satisfied “all Marine Dept criteria” [not defined] & paid $250pa
Lodges may apply for exemption from duty on boats, vehicles, tackle for resale.
Total ban on all commercial fishing in flats areas.
Flats defined as <6 feet deep with muddy, sandy or grassy bottom.
A non-Bahamian boat needs a sport fishing permit* to take foreigners to flats.
Anglers in those boats must also have flats permits.
There must be a certified guide [i.e. local] on board for every two anglers.
To see the actual drafts of the two published documents, click on these links:
http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/wcm/connect/3a3fd10a-f043-4bff-bd62-ea68f6e4b8ec/FR%28J%26C%29%28A%29Regs2015.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
We are researching this issue and working to have a feature in our upcoming issue of This is Fly Magazine.
