FishingRegulations & FAQ
Before you set off on your fishing trip to The Bahamas, there are a few regulations to be aware of. We've listed these, and the answers to the most frequently asked questions below.
General Questions
Am I allowed to eat any of the fish I catch?
Yes.
How much fish am I allowed to keep?
The regulations specify the amount of fish and fishery products that can be aboard a licenced foreign sport fishing vessel at any time. The bag limits are:
- 18 pelagic fish (Any combination of Dolphin, Wahoo, Kingfish or Tuna)
- 10 lobsters (when in season)
- 6 conchs
- 60 pounds or up to 20 demersal fish such as snappers and groupers, whichever is the lesser.
How much fish can I take home when I leave The Bahamas?
When you leave The Bahamas via a foreign vessel that had a sport fishing permit, you may take as many marine resources as the new catch limits listed above allow. This does not depend on the number of person aboard the vessel.
I am a permanent resident of The Bahamas, are the rules different for me?
You still need to obtain a sport fishing permit to use any foreign owned vessel for fishing. The catch limits that apply to visitors however, do not apply to permanent residents. As is the case for a Bahamian citizen, your catch cannot exceed 250 pounds. Doing so will put you in the commercial fishing category.
How many fishing rods can I have on my boat?
There is no limit to the number of rods you may have onboard the vessel. You are limited to the use of six or less at any given time. The use of more than six rods moves you to another category of sport fishing vessel. The fee for such a permit is $10,000 per year.
Can I use scuba gear or an air compressor for fishing?
No.
Can I use an electric reel?
Yes.
Can I use a cast net to gather bait fish?
The use of a net must be specifically authorized. If you wish to use a cast net to gather bait, you must specify that you want to use this kind of gear on the sports fishing permit application form. Once approved the issuing officer will include the use of the cast net when he issues the sports fishing permit. Any such approval will be expressed in writing on the permit.
Can I still gather conchs while in The Bahamas?
Sport fishers are allowed to gather conchs. The maximum number that you may have aboard the sport fishing vessel at any time is six (6). Remember that there is a legal size limit for conch in The Bahamas. The shell must have a well-developed flaring lip. This is a sign of maturity.
Is there a catch limit for bonefish?
There is no catch limit for bonefish. Catch and release is strongly encouraged.
Do I need a sport fishing permit to go after bonefish?
This depends upon whether or not you are using a Non-Bahamian owned vessel. A sport fishing permit is required if you are fishing using a Non-Bahamian owned boat.
Do I have to use a local fishing guide?
There is no requirement that you use a Bahamian guide. The Department of Marine Resources encourages the use of Bahamian fishing guides as this provides an enhanced fishing experience.
Am I allowed to keep any billfish (marlins, sailfish, swordfish) caught?
Unless you are fishing in an approved tournament, all billfish caught must be returned to the sea unharmed.
Is fishing for sharks allowed?
No. Sharks are now protected in The Bahamas as a result of an amendment made in 2011. Sharks may only be taken under special permits for very specific purposes. A shark that is hooked during the course of any fishing activity is to be released unharmed.
Can I sell some of the fish I catch in The Bahamas?
Visitors to The Bahamas are not allowed to sell or trade any fishery products. This constitutes commercial fishing and would be a serious violation of the law.
Can I fillet fish while aboard my vessel?
Yes. Once you have a valid sport fishing permit the catch limits detailed above apply.
When travelling from Florida, when do I cross into Bahamian waters?
The maritime boundary between The Bahamas and the United States of America (USA) has not been formally agreed upon. In the South Florida area, where the USA and The Bahamas are separated by the Gulf Stream, NOAA Chart 11469 depicts the line marking the limits of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone. This line essentially runs up the middle of Gulf Stream. If you are east of that line, you are considered to be within the waters of The Bahamas and the laws of The Bahamas are applicable. The distance you may be from any land mass in The Bahamas is not particularly relevant as the line setting the limits of the territorial waters of The Bahamas is not always drawn from a land mass.
Obtaining a Fishing Permit
There are two ways to obtain a Fishing permit including pre-registration online via official cruising permit vendors, before you arrive in The Bahamas or filling out paperwork upon arrival at Bahamas Customs and Immigration. More details outlined below:
1) Online (preferred): Prior to travel, fishers can submit an electronic declaration, or apply for a permit through one of the offical cruising permit vendors. These online systems are the preferred and easiest way to clear customs. Those boaters who choose to pre-register online will still have to proceed to see Bahamas Customs and Immigration at their Port of Entry.
2)In-person: Fishers can also obtain this permit when they visit Bahamas Customs and Immigration at their Port of Entry, upon arrival.
Official Fishing Permit Vendors
Click2Clear Sign Up Video Tutorials
Go Outdoors Bahamas Tutorials
How to apply for a Fishing permit?
Register as a new user and follow the prompts
Applicant will be asked to submit the following information:
Vessel's registration
COVID-19 Travel Health Visa
Passenger/crew identification documents
Permits for pets
List of firearms and ammunition
When should Inbound Declaration be submitted prior to arrival
It is suggested that the electronic declaration be submitted online before departure from the home port.
What payment methods are accepted by the Customs Department?
While digital payments are preferred, manual payments are still accepted. Consumers should only pay government approved providers and check Bahamas.com as digital payment options expand.
Payment methods include:
Cash
Online Payment – Importers must register with Click2Clear. (In the near future)
Manager’s Cheque
Company’s Cheque – A letter of guarantee must be on file from the drawer’s bank
Credit Note (Available only through Click2Clear)
Note: Continue to check Bahamas.com for more information on fly fishing, flat fishing permits and more.
Sport Fishing
Do I need a sport fishing permit if I own a home in The Bahamas?
Any person who is not a Bahamian citizen needs a sport fishing permit if they wish to engage in fishing from a vessel that is not Bahamian owned.
Can I clear into The Bahamas and obtain a sport fishing permit online?
No, unfortunately these services are not available online. The sport fishing vessel must clear Bahamas Customs at a Port of Entry and obtain the sport fishing permit at that time. You should not engage in any fishing until this has been done.
I intend to fish from the shore or a dock. Do I need a sport fishing permit?
No, because you will not be using a foreign-owned vessel.
I intend to rent a boat when I visit The Bahamas. Do I need a sports fishing permit?
You will only need a sport fishing permit if the boat you rent is not Bahamian owned. Even when fishing from such a boat, a Non-Bahamian person must observe the sport fishing catch limits.
Do I need permission to organize a sport fishing tournament or event in The Bahamas?
Yes. Organizers of sport fishing tournaments coordinated to attract foreign sport fishers must have the written approval of the Minister to organize or hold a tournament.
Organizers of local sport fishing tournaments, which are not coordinated to attract foreign sport fishers, do not require the written approval of the Minister. If the tournament or event is to include foreign vessels, you must complete the appropriate application form and provide the necessary supporting documents, such as a copy of the proposed rules for the tournament or event. There is a fee of $500 to be paid once the application is approved. The necessary permit will be issued and this will specify the terms and conditions under which the tournament must be conducted. All foreign owned vessels in the tournament are required to obtain a sport fishing decal from the tournament organizers before engaging in fishing as a part of the tournament.
Where do I apply for permission to organize a sport fishing tournament or event in The Bahamas?
Applications may be submitted via the Department of MarineHead Office in New Providence, any of its Out Island Offices or the Out Island Administrator’s Office.
How and where do I get a sport fishing tournament application form?
Sport fishing tournament application forms may be accessed online via the department's website (www.bahamas.gov.bs/marineresources) or they may be collected from the department's Head Office in New Providence or any of its suboffices in the Out Islands.
Fly Fishing
Do I need a permit to fly fish in The Bahamas?
Yes. All persons over the age of 12 are required to have a licence to fish the flats. Licences are issued by the Department of Marine Resources in New Providence, or the Out Island Administrators in the Out Islands. Fly fishing licenses will be available on Go Outdoors Bahamas for pre-registration online soon.
Do I need to use a fishing guide?
Bahamian certified fishing guides must be used if two (2) or more anglers are fishing in the flats by means of a vessel.
Can I use my own boat to fish in the flats?
Only Bahamian-registered vessels will be allowed on the flats.
Can I sell any of the fish I catch?
No, this would be considered commercial fishing. No commercial fishing will be allowed on the flats.
Which species are covered by these regulations?
The fishery covered by these regulations include bonefish, tarpon, cobia, and permit.
Spearfishing
Can I use a spear for fishing?
Yes, although you will need to obtain specific authorization. Sport fishermen visiting The Bahamas are limited to angling with a hook and line held in the hand or attached to a rod and reel. The fisheries regulations prohibit sport fishers from the use of a spear, trap or net (other than a landing net), unless such use is specifically authorized. The authorization to use a spear is easy to get.
How do I get permission to engage in spearfishing?
A person wishing to use a spear should put this on their application form for the sport fishing permit. Permission may be granted by the officer issuing the permit for the use of a spear with a hand held sling, referred to as a Hawaiian sling in The Bahamas, or a pole spear. When permission is granted for the use of a spear, this must be endorsed in writing on the permit by the issuing officer.
Where can I go spearfishing?
Spearfishing Is not allowed within 1 mile of the coast of New Providence or the southern coast of Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. It is also prohibited within 200 yards of the coast of any Out Island.
Can I use a speargun?
No. The use of a spear gun for fishing is not allowed in The Bahamas.