A newly-proposed Bahamian law aims to regulate shallow-water fishing by non-Bahamians. The proposal aims to protect the fly-fishing grounds and industry by requiring professional guides to be hired by visitors. Cruisers or other visitors who plan to fish in the banks or creeks (depths of under 6 feet) should be aware of these new regulations if they are enacted – even if you don't plan on using a fly rod – and you may want to take the opportunity to submit your comments to inform the regulations before they are voted on and possibly enacted.

Section 3.2 of the draft legislation seems benign for most visiting cruisers, since your cruising permit includes a fishing permit for your crew with no distinction made as for depths and/or types of rod. However, Section 4.8 adds the requirement that you must have a certified fishing guide with you:

"A sports fishing permit referred to in regulation 3(2)(a) shall, where the vessel engages in foreign fishing in the flats (water six feet or less) be subject to the requirements that –

(a) the vessel employs a minimum of one certified fishing guide; and

(b) a certified fishing guide be employed at a ratio of one to two, namely, one guide for every two anglers fishing in the flats by means of the vessel"

"Fishing Guide" is defined as:

• anyone who accompanies and assists another person to angle
• anyone who attends another person at or near the flats in a way that directly or indirectly assists that person to angle
• anyone who transports another person to and from the flats, or between different areas of the flats, for the purpose angling

That last definition could be easily interpreted such that your spouse or crew member can't ferry you to a fishing spot in the dinghy or tender – well, unless he or she happens to be a certified fishing guide – or you all could be arrested, charged, fined, jailed, and/or have your vessel confiscated.

Interested persons and organizations are urged to review the draft and provide comments to the Bahamas Department of Marine Resources: fisheries@bahamas.gov.bs. Comments should be received before this Friday – June 26, 2015. Also, a national conference will be held in New Providence for all stakeholders and interested persons, on Monday, June 29, 2015, in the conference room of the Agriculture Ministry, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In a letter sent to members of the Marina Operators of the Bahamas, Executive Director Bob Bower warns that the proposal could be a public relations disaster regardless of whether the legislation passes. "This proposed fisheries legislation effectively says goodbye to many expert fly fishermen who have been coming here for 30+ years. These guys want to fish alone and they know how to fish. But now, they’ll have to hire a guide for each boat on the flats (even a kayak!). Guides cost $600 per day. In most of our competing countries fly fishing is free."

Read proposed bill (PDF) and amendment (PDF).