Mengano
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How to NOT explain the new Mexican fishing visa
Mexico Visa Dialog with Anglers Continues
By: Tom Gatch | 1/19/2012 9:35 AM
There is still a lot of confusion regarding the newly implemented requirement for all passengers aboard foreign vessels entering Mexican waters within
25 miles of shore to carry tourist visas, in addition to the usual fishing licenses that have always been needed by anglers.
Some have even suggested that every foreigner that comes to Baja California to fish will need a visa, as well. In an effort to get some clarification
on this matter, I recently paid a visit to the main office of the Baja California Department of Tourism in downtown Ensenada and spoke with
representative Marco Antonio Padilla.
He first explained that, in addition to sorting out the visa issue affecting those traveling into Mexican waters on foreign craft, his office is
currently working vigorously with local officials of the Mexican navy to get a full explanation as to why a San Diego-based sportfisher, Malahini, had
to return to port.
Malahini‘s skipper was reportedly told by the captain of a Mexico navy patrol boat that approached the sportfisher near Los Coronados islands that the
vessel had to return to the U.S. because the skipper did not have a boat permit in his possession. This is particularly perplexing, since boat permits
have not been required for foreign vessels in Mexican waters since 2008.
But while issues involving maritime entry into Mexico’s coastal zone are still in the process of being ironed out, Padilla assured me that nothing has
really changed for anglers who drive into Baja California Norte to fish or enjoy other recreational activities.
He explained, “From a technical standpoint, all foreigners entering the republic of Mexico have always been required to get a visa whenever they cross
into the country. But because we have a local visitor-based economy, our coastal regions within about 100 miles of the border have been designated as
tourist zones, where one can stay for up to 72 hours, or three days without the need for such documentation.”
He added that beyond this distance, just as at U.S. immigration checkpoints near San Clemente and Temecula, a visa is required to travel to farther
points in either country. Of course, anglers and tourists who either drive or fly into Baja California Sur have become well acclimated to the visa
process over the years.
Padilla summed things up by saying that, most of all, he wanted to get the word out to stateside anglers that there are many good sportfishing
charter and panga operations in the Baja California Norte tourist zone between Playas Tijuana and Bahia San Quintín that are waiting for them with
open arms. Anglers who drive here to take advantage of some of the best fishing on the northern coast can stay for up to three days without having to
be concerned about getting a visa.
But if anglers travel to Baja California regularly and would like to stay longer or enjoy fishing farther south, they can simply purchase an FMM visa,
which is also good for those aboard foreign boats venturing into Mexico’s 25-mile coastal zone.
http://www.fishrapnews.com/news/newsArticles.aspx?x=12884
[OK, does everybody get it? If you hire a fishing boat out of a Mexican port you won't have the problem the Malahini
had.]
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woody with a view
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so the tourist zone extends to SQ now?
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Hook
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Well, according to this article, the conventional FMM should work on vessels fishing the Coronados or anywhere along the Baja coast.
It's beginning to look like this company set up to sell exorbitantly priced "water" FMMs to anglers in San Diego has been misleading the public into
thinking THEIR permits are required.
BTW, comparing the fishing experience of boats based out of Ensenada to ones based out of San Diego is ridiculous. Irrespective of the differences in
the boats, who wants to drive an hour below the border (and deal with a multi-hour border wait coming back) to fish a half day?
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akshadow
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Visa info from tourist bureau
The tourist bureaus are chamber of commerce type organizations. In San Felipe I have received info from the tourist bureau that was in direct
conflict with the immigration office position on the subject.
Status is based on the official in front of you at that moment.
Ron San Felipe Oct, Nov. Feb. Mar. April. remainder in Juneau Ak
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Martyman
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
BTW, comparing the fishing experience of boats based out of Ensenada to ones based out of San Diego is ridiculous. Irrespective of the differences in
the boats, who wants to drive an hour below the border (and deal with a multi-hour border wait coming back) to fish a half day?
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Uhhh....I do?
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Hook
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I guess in the midst of a good tuna bite, the answer might be yes. But it wouldnt be worth it to me for anything else.
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sancho
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From what I'm reading, that boarding a boat in
San Diego/US whether a Sportfishing Boat or
Private, 1 has to get the temp 3 day or so fmm,
$35. That the regular 180 Border fmm will not work.
Those boarding a boat while in Mex and fishing, do not. So fishing
a panga out of Punta Banda while down there on
a 3 day trip would
not require any fmm. What is the point in that article
about Mex Nationals needing a US visa to travel
beyond the San Clemente cjheckpiont? They don't
need a visa to visit San Diego?
Heard there is another meeting with Mex IMM this week,
1/25 on the fishing fmm
[Edited on 1-23-2012 by sancho]
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