- Mon Jun 22, 2015 5:52 pm
#602840
this is another of a long list of complicated, expensive rules and laws that the Bahamian government has imposed in the last 10 years or so... Having spent the better part of my life, 23 years or so, fishing and travelling to the Bahamas, as well as maintaining and owning property (houses, boats, cars, etc) in the Bahamas and having to jump through the hoops and fees associated with the above I have learned one thing...
It doesn't matter....
For a law to have any effect it must be enforced... And it won't be... There are no game wardens, or marine patrol on any of the islands.. at least the ones i've been to. Nobody checks your catch when you get to the dock unless you're at a marina or in a tournament...
And not one person has ever approached me on the flats.. nor is there anyone who would..
The only way these flats laws would be enforced would be if the lodges took it into their own hands to police the flats and report any DIY guys to the police on the mainland to track down... Not that I believe for a second the police would, that's too much like work.. But I guess a fat bribe here or there to the local constable by the local lodges may change that...
I can see them charging the fees... only because they can do that in customs when you land in country... easy enough, no extra people needed... but as for the other regulations regarding guides and what not... complete crap that even if passed would never be enforced...
Unless like I said, the lodges start policing on their own, which of course would be in their interest... and a which point the fishing community would have another target for their frustrations...
I'll be interested to see how this plays out... but I doubt i'll ever have issue with it... nor would you most likely..
Welcome to the Bahamas.... tons of laws... none actually enforced...
Mad Mike
Somebody just back of you while you are fishing is as bad as someone looking over your shoulder while you write a letter to your girl. - Hemingway
Leonardo DiCaprio wins at life! - Row vs. Wade