New options for
anglers fishing
in the Bahamas
Bringing fish caught in the Bahamas back to Florida by water is now
easier than ever. Anglers may now transport and land filleted dolphin,
wahoo and reef fish that were caught in Bahamian waters. These
regulations apply to fish being transported to Florida by water only
and do not apply to fish being transported or shipped by air.
Some things to keep in mind when bringing recreationally-caught
dolphin, wahoo and reef fish managed as snapper-grouper back from
the Bahamas by sea:
» Skin must remain on the fillet (to aid in identification by law
enforcement)
» Anglers must comply with Atlantic federal bag and vessel limits,
as well as seasons
» Two fillets count as one fish toward the bag limit
» Vessels must have valid Bahamian cruising and sportfishing
permits
» Passengers must possess a valid government passport with current Bahamian stamps and travel dates
» Travel through state and federal waters must be continuous and
gear must remain stowed. Fishing gear that is appropriately
stowed means terminal tackle such as hooks, leaders, sinkers,
etc. must be disconnected and stowed separately from the rod
and reel.
» Fish landed under these exceptions cannot be sold.
B A H A M A F I S H I N G
» Bahamian regulations may be different than in U.S. state and
federal waters. Before you return with your catch, make sure you
comply with the more restrictive U.S. or Bahamian recreational
bag and possession limits.
» Species that are prohibited from harvest in the U.S. such as queen
conch, goliath and Nassau grouper, cannot be transported back
into U.S. waters by boat.
» Spiny lobster must be in whole condition and can only be transported into U.S. waters during the recreational season (Aug. 6
through March 31).
To learn more about bringing your Bahamian catch back to Florida,
visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Bahamas.” Federal fishing regulations are
available from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council at
www.SAFMC.net. For more information on Bahamian regulations,
visit Bahamas.gov.bs.
Report it!
Did you know?
To avoid anchoring on our
coral reefs, use available
free mooring buoys or sand!
It is illegal to anchor on/or otherwise damage coral reefs in Florida, pursuant to the
Florida Coral Reef Protection Act (CRPA) of 2009.
Learn more about the CRPA by visiting http://bit.ly/OvOmv6.
Avoid the fines, know the reef lines!
Not sure where
to anchor?
Use the FREE
mobile app!
Download the free mobile app “Explorer for ArcGIS” by ESRI.
Select “Find Maps” and search for “Southeast Florida Reef Locator.”
Use it to pin-point your location offshore and help find a sandy spot to anchor!
58
anglers fishing
in the Bahamas
Bringing fish caught in the Bahamas back to Florida by water is now
easier than ever. Anglers may now transport and land filleted dolphin,
wahoo and reef fish that were caught in Bahamian waters. These
regulations apply to fish being transported to Florida by water only
and do not apply to fish being transported or shipped by air.
Some things to keep in mind when bringing recreationally-caught
dolphin, wahoo and reef fish managed as snapper-grouper back from
the Bahamas by sea:
» Skin must remain on the fillet (to aid in identification by law
enforcement)
» Anglers must comply with Atlantic federal bag and vessel limits,
as well as seasons
» Two fillets count as one fish toward the bag limit
» Vessels must have valid Bahamian cruising and sportfishing
permits
» Passengers must possess a valid government passport with current Bahamian stamps and travel dates
» Travel through state and federal waters must be continuous and
gear must remain stowed. Fishing gear that is appropriately
stowed means terminal tackle such as hooks, leaders, sinkers,
etc. must be disconnected and stowed separately from the rod
and reel.
» Fish landed under these exceptions cannot be sold.
B A H A M A F I S H I N G
» Bahamian regulations may be different than in U.S. state and
federal waters. Before you return with your catch, make sure you
comply with the more restrictive U.S. or Bahamian recreational
bag and possession limits.
» Species that are prohibited from harvest in the U.S. such as queen
conch, goliath and Nassau grouper, cannot be transported back
into U.S. waters by boat.
» Spiny lobster must be in whole condition and can only be transported into U.S. waters during the recreational season (Aug. 6
through March 31).
To learn more about bringing your Bahamian catch back to Florida,
visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Bahamas.” Federal fishing regulations are
available from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council at
www.SAFMC.net. For more information on Bahamian regulations,
visit Bahamas.gov.bs.
Report it!
Did you know?
To avoid anchoring on our
coral reefs, use available
free mooring buoys or sand!
It is illegal to anchor on/or otherwise damage coral reefs in Florida, pursuant to the
Florida Coral Reef Protection Act (CRPA) of 2009.
Learn more about the CRPA by visiting http://bit.ly/OvOmv6.
Avoid the fines, know the reef lines!
Not sure where
to anchor?
Use the FREE
mobile app!
Download the free mobile app “Explorer for ArcGIS” by ESRI.
Select “Find Maps” and search for “Southeast Florida Reef Locator.”
Use it to pin-point your location offshore and help find a sandy spot to anchor!
58