July 01, 2015
By David Conway
Access to flats for traveling anglers is at issue.
Are chances slipping away for traveling anglers to enjoy Bahamian flats fishing? Regulations now under discussion may change laws regarding access to those waters.
Potential changes to Bahamian flats fishing regulations, which some U.S.-based experts say could deal a blow to fishing tourism to those islands, are now being discussed by Bahamian officials. The proposals are contained in this document, courtesy of fly fishing website GinkandGasoline: http://www.ginkandgasoline.com/ :
Bahamian flats fishing changes under discussion: http://www.ginkandgasoline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/FRJCARegs2015-ver-2.pdf
The proposals include, among other stipulations, that flats anglers must have permits to fish and must pay for licenses. U.S.-based anglers are expressing concern that some of the proposed regulations will discourage—even make illegal—independent, do-it-yourself style flats fishing, even the kind you might do on an evening beach walk from your lodge. Non-Bahamian based lodge owners are concerned that the new regulations might make it difficult, if not impossible, for them to provide fishing trips for their clientele. Overall, the reaction from the flats community has been one of alarm.
Discussions on the proposals are currently being held by Bahamian officials, and you can follow developments in the story here on www.floridasportsman.com and in Florida Sportsman magazine.
