BajaNomad - No Fishing Licenses or Boat Permits

No Fishing Licenses or Boat Permits

bajarich - 5-22-2007 at 08:48 AM

I have made many trips fishing the East Cape area and always assumed that everyone there had fishing licenses and boat permits.

One day, there a large boat towiing a small panga in the bay at Las Frailes and the word spread that it was a fisheries boat and that they were checking licenses and boat permits. I didn't think much of it because I have always had both, but the next morning when I went out, I was practically the only one on the water. I went right past the boat towing the blue panga but no one stopped to check me on my way in or out.

When I returned I asked the others why no one went out that day and found out that many of the other fishermen did not have fishing licenses or boat permits. Many said they used to get them but no one ever check them so they had stopped getting them. Some said they didn't need a boat permit because they had inflatables and they weren't required because inflatables were considered dingies. When I checked the rules included with my boat permit, it says that any "vessel" with fishing gear on boad must have a boat permit.

These are all really nice people who, I'm sure wouldn't consider not buying a license in the States or in Canada, but because of the lack of enforcement in Mexico choose not to obey the laws because it will cost them a few bucks to buy the licenses and permits. In the US, fishing without a license is considered poaching, and I don't think it is any different in Mexico, just because you probably won't get caught.

shari - 5-22-2007 at 09:11 AM

I find it interesting how folks disregard the permits and other laws here, then cry when they get caught. I am worried about my husband Juan who really went through alot of hoops and pesos to get all the proper permits and licenses to take people fishing...as many clients just dont' get fishing licenses which may put him at risk...also it doesn't seem fair when clients contract people to take them fishing who don't have the permits required. Cheaper I guess.

Capt. George - 5-22-2007 at 09:21 AM

shari

isn't there a way for Juan to get a license that covers the "sport" fishermen that he charters out to? I believe there is..Check with Pam at Big Fish Company, she'll certainly have the right answers.

I find it interesting how many "illegal" gill nets are in use right in our own back yard, don't you?......zero enforcement on that one...grevious damage to the fisheries, especially when netting occurs in the esteros (nurseries).......Maybe that also has something to do with the attitude of sport fishermen regarding licenseing in Mexico?

I get the licenses irregardless of all the reasons "not to".

cap'n g

aquaholic - 5-22-2007 at 09:30 AM

...one of the main reasons people do not get the required boat and fishing licenses is that they are difficult to obtain in many areas. I have always obtained mine from the Vags, or from the Pesca office in San Diego before crossing the border, but once in the Mulege area (for instance) they are nowhere to be found...it makes compliance very difficult....

Don Alley - 5-22-2007 at 09:44 AM

Yes, it's pretty common for people here to fish without a license, required for each person and for every boat, including dinghys, inflatables and kayaks.

Maybe enforcement is a problem, but they do check in Loreto, seemingly as much or more as I was checked in Montana.

Part of the problem is the lack of license outlets. In the states, almost every tackle shop sells licenses. You can get one every day of the week, you can get one in the evening.

Last Saturday someone asked me about licenses. He had just flown in, the office was closed, and he was fishing early the next morning. He was worried about fishing without a license. That's a common problem. I told him that he could write a note with his name and the name of the boat or service he was fishing with, slide it under the door of the office and promptly return and buy the license on his return. At least a year ago I was told that would allow you to purchase a license after the fact if you got checked. But Loreto is fast becoming a little less informal and that might not work today.

You can easily get them at many tackle shops in Southern California, and through the mail from Vagabundos and others, and I'd strongly recommend that for visiting fishermen.

Hook - 5-22-2007 at 10:35 AM

Do Mexican nationals require personal fishing licenses? Do Mexican commercial fishermen require licenses?

sancho - 5-22-2007 at 12:33 PM

I believe Mex Nationals require
licenses, some regs often ignored
include the no take of clams, crusteceans,
and in some printed regs the no
take of cabrilla

shari - 5-22-2007 at 01:20 PM

Apart from all the business licenses, boat license and permits, Juan also has a personal fishing license which he was told he needed if he was going to take tourist out. I'll check about some deal covering his clients...gracias.

Frank - 5-22-2007 at 01:35 PM

So if I fish off of my Kayak, I need a boat permit? I cant get a boat permit without "boat registration paperwork" that a Kayak doesnt have. We always get fishing licenses for everyone, but the permit for the Kayak is throwing me for a loop.

Don Alley - 5-22-2007 at 01:39 PM

At the recent Governor's Cup Tourney all entrants were required to show a license, and the number was written on their entance form.

cbuzzetti - 5-22-2007 at 02:59 PM

You can get a boat permit for your Kayak. I have done it through Vagabundos. If your Kayak does not have a VIN # you write in the make model, length and color.
Did this just a few months ago.

Don Alley - 5-22-2007 at 03:17 PM

Kayak Boat Permits

New rules that can change at any moment, or at any location :lol:

As of last fall, Loreto's office stopped issuing permits for vessels without documents. In other words, they would not sell me a permit for my kayak. In the past they would just write in the make, length and color. No more. They did confirm that I needed the permit, but would not sell me one until I got "documents" for my kayak.

This March, Fisherman's Landing in San Diego told me they had the same instructions as the Loreto Office,and could not sell me a permit without documents. BUT, they sent me to the San Diego Conapesca office and there I was able to easily get my kayak licensed without documents.

flyfishinPam - 5-22-2007 at 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
Apart from all the business licenses, boat license and permits, Juan also has a personal fishing license which he was told he needed if he was going to take tourist out. I'll check about some deal covering his clients...gracias.

Yeah there's lots of paperwork and requirements increase every year. You're lucky you're not in a marine park, more paperwork and always due at different times! But that's part of being in the business.

Sorry but no special permit for the clients, they each need a license.

Conapesca has a website where you can buy licenses online and print them out. Well I tried it. I bought a one year license for myself and actually got through the labrynthian system of making the payment (actually two payments that 31 pesos gets separated out). They charge last years prices so I figured I was getting a deal. You can pay at the bank but the 31 peso form won't print out as its coded incorrectly, so it doesn't work. I paid electronically via my bancomer account but keep in mind you have to pay a monthly fee for that service with bancomer $22dlls/month, so unlikely the typical captain has that set up even if they have a bank account at all. Well after 45 minutes at that conapesca site and paying via bancomer.com, when I tried to input my payment for my license it won't print out because it won't accept the payment code I was given by the bank! I guess they're not ready yet.

If someone walks into my shop on a friday night and wants to go fishing on saturday, I take them out. We're not obligated to turn down work because of past corruption by these idiots. We buy licenses at the first opportunity we can. We can't buy, say 50 licenses and fill them out as we sell them. PESCA requires that we pay first and have the names and dates for them to be filled in as we get them. Believe me I've been trying for years to buy licenses in blank form. Used to be able to but since May 2004 we haven't been able to.

over and out

shari - 5-23-2007 at 08:59 AM

Rats or ratas...so I guess the best thing is to advise clients to get their licenses before they come down...but so many just show up and want to go fishing...hmmm....please let me know if anything happens that may help us out too...like getting blank licenses. muchas gracias

Hook - 5-23-2007 at 09:06 AM

Shari, as the likelihood of getting licenses issued easily out your way is remote, I would suggest you post something prominent on your 'THINGS TO DO' webpage, encouraging people to get licenses in advance.

It's really pretty astounding how available they are at many places in SoCal as well as by mail from the travel clubs.

yet, it can be like pulling teeth in Mexico. A government form, no less. :rolleyes:

shari - 5-23-2007 at 09:10 AM

I posted it on the fishing page but good idea to mention it a couple of times...is it true that you can get them at sporting goods stores or tackle shops?????

Hook - 5-23-2007 at 09:13 AM

Yes, last time I checked they could be had at The Grant Boys in Costa Mesa, Fisherman's Landing in San Diego, The Longfin in Orange. NOt sure about the Turner's Outdoorsman chain. Maybe others can help build a list here that you can use.

Bob and Susan - 5-23-2007 at 09:29 AM

its form #5 at the stationary store...

take the form to the pescadera office
pay the fee there
and
its yours
very easy

in mulege you need to get the license in santa rosalia

you do need a temp import permit for your own boat if it's over 14 feet

FishingPermitOffice.jpg - 16kB

Capt. George - 5-23-2007 at 10:09 AM

temp import permit, a new one on me?? always just the boat license??

Bob/Susan HELP!

Bob and Susan - 5-23-2007 at 11:28 AM

the rule is from 2006..

anything over 14 feet needs a boat license to fish

to get this lisense you need to get a 10 year temp import permit $50 USA (you pay there in USA funds)

they need to see the boat...

the office here is in santa rosalia next to the imigration office where you get tourist visas right on mex#1 at the entrance to santa rosalia

i still needed to show it this year when i got the boat license a couple of weeks ago...

IMMBuilding.jpg - 19kB

aquaholic - 5-23-2007 at 01:01 PM

Bob & Susan, Are you sure that isn't for a permanently imported boat, and not one which is trailered down from the States..??? The Vagabundos site offers fishing licenses by week, month, or year, and annual boat licenses. The only requirement they list is that a current copy of your boat registration must accompany the application for a boat license. If you know your dates, it's easy to have them mail you the licenses you will need.

backninedan - 5-23-2007 at 01:05 PM

You dont need the 10 year import. I just did the import thing, but my boat had all permits it needed for the past three years without it. About the only differene is that I get Loreto numbers and my boat fishing licence is issued on a yearly basis as opposed to the 90 permit I will issued prior to the 10 year import.

bajaandy - 5-23-2007 at 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
I posted it on the fishing page but good idea to mention it a couple of times...is it true that you can get them at sporting goods stores or tackle shops?????

Pacific Coast Bait and Tackle in Oceanside sells the boat permits and the personal license. Just picked mine up on Monday.

Roberto - 5-23-2007 at 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
Yes, last time I checked they could be had at The Grant Boys in Costa Mesa, Fisherman's Landing in San Diego, The Longfin in Orange. NOt sure about the Turner's Outdoorsman chain. Maybe others can help build a list here that you can use.

SQC in San Diego - no additional charge
SquidCo also in San Diego - think they have a small additional charge.

Hook - 5-23-2007 at 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aquaholic
Bob & Susan, Are you sure that isn't for a permanently imported boat, and not one which is trailered down from the States..??? The Vagabundos site offers fishing licenses by week, month, or year, and annual boat licenses. The only requirement they list is that a current copy of your boat registration must accompany the application for a boat license. If you know your dates, it's easy to have them mail you the licenses you will need.

HERE WE GO AGAIN ..................... :lol:

Bob and Susan - 5-23-2007 at 01:50 PM

dont you LOVE mexico... :lol:

Bob and Susan - 5-23-2007 at 02:01 PM

well here is my story and i'm stickin to it... :lol:

my boat is a 23 foot trailer boat from california
it needs a "boat fishing license"

they needed 3 forms #5 available at the local stationary store
copy of passport
copy of temp import
copy of registration

i got susan's fishing license...
she wasn't there
three form #5's
i had to show marriage license
copy of passport

done

Don Alley - 5-23-2007 at 02:54 PM

Marriage license?

:lol:

Maybe I'll have to dig up one of those some day.

Capt. George - 5-23-2007 at 02:56 PM

good news, would hate to have to haul the Dusky down to SR for that!

home soooooooooon, ahhhh, Baja!

Regarding Personel Fishing Lisc.

CaboRon - 6-3-2007 at 09:12 AM

It may be different in CSL >>>> my experience in the past was an additional charge was levied by the boat captain that was for the fishing liscense .... Do you think they are really getting you a fishing lisc. or is this just another CSL scam ????? :lol:

Ron