Lower Fees for Fishing in Mexico

Conapesca, the Mexican sportfishing agency, has announced new licensing policies for ’08 that will be welcomed by cruisers. In the past, boats — as well as their dinghies, and technically even liferafts equipped with fish hooks — needed to have expensive licenses. That’s no longer true. Starting on January 7, only individuals needed licenses.

While it’s true that everyone aboard the boat, whether fishing or not, must have a license, the licenses are now $25 a week, $37 a month, or $48 a year. If you’re a couple on a boat, that’s a considerable savings over the previous cost of being licensed. You can get your license by going to www.conapescasandiego.org.

Here are some of the highlights of the Mexican fishing regulations:

• One rod per person.
• No mollusks or crustaceans can be taken.
• There’s a limit of 10 fish per day, with no more than five of one species. However, there is a limit of one per day of the following group: marlin, sailfish, swordfish and shark. When it comes to dorado, roosterfish, shad and tarpon, the limit is two per day.
• The limit for underwater fishing is five per day, and you must use a rubberband or spring harpoon, and only use it while skindiving.
• It’s illegal to collect shell and coral.
• It’s also illegal to fish within a quarter of a mile of swimmer.

These all seem like fair rules, so please, abide by them.