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Mexican Fishing and Boating
Requirements for Fishing or Boating in Mexico
Mexico’s National Aquaculture and Fishing Commission (CONAPESCA) welcomes you to practice and enjoy sport fishing in our inland and ocean waters. In an effort to make your sport fishing trip a pleasant one and help you in the simplest way to comply with current regulations they have a representative office available to you. They are located at 2550 Fifth Avenue Suite 15 San Diego, CA 92103. At this location you can obtain your sport fishing licenses in person or by mail. For your convenience Conapesca San Diego has also made available a web site to provide you with all the necessary information, regulations, request forms and fees to help you obtain your required sport fishing personal licenses.
Mexican Fishing and Licence's Fees
Effective January 2008, boat permits are no longer required for vessels practicing sport fishing in Mexican waters. The following are fees for fishing license only:
- 1 week Mexican Fishing License - $25.80
- 1 month Mexican Fishing License - $37.00
- 1 year Mexican Fishing License - $48.20
Mexican Watercraft and Boat Insurance
ON THE WATER INSURANCE
Mexico requires all watercrafts entering ports in Mexico to carry third party "on the water" Mexican boat insurance liability coverage issued by an authorized, admitted Mexican insurer. Our Mexico watercraft insurance polices are written through ACE Seguros. ACE is a well-known and respected Mexico insurance company and has a great customer service bilingual team readily available to assist your needs while in Mexico...More Information
TOWED BOAT INSURANCE
If you are planning to tow your boat behind a vehicle, you will need to list the boat and trailer as a Towed Unit on your Mexican auto insurance policy. This coverage is only valid while the boat is attached to the towing vehicle, and it is not valid while the boat is detached or while the boat is the water. You have the option to insure the boat for Physical Damage, Theft, and Liability, or for Liability only while being towed...Insurance Coverages
Mexican Sports fishing Regulations
When operating a boat that carries fishing equipment in Mexican waters, it is necessary to hold a valid fishing license for everybody aboard the boat, regardless of age and whether fishing or not. A Fishing License is not required when fishing from land.
- Only one rod or line with hook is permitted in the water, per person, but there is no restriction regarding the number of replacement items.
- A fishing license allows to capture only fin fish. It does not allow to capture any other mollusks or crustaceans, and their capture by anyone is strictly prohibited. Totuava, turtles and marine mammals are under protection of the Ministry and may not be captured at any time.
- To capture bottom fish, up to four hooks on a vertical line may be used.
- The use of electric reels is restricted to disabled fishermen only, after written authorization for the Ministry before use.
Bag and Possession Limits for Fishing in Mexican Waters
In ocean waters and estuaries the limit is a total of ten fish per person per day, with no more than 5 catches of a single specie, except of the species of Marlin, Sailfish, Swordfish and Shark, of which only one specimen from this group is allowed per day, and which counts a five toward the overall 10 fish limit, or Dorado, Roosterfish, Shad, or Tarpon, of which only two samples from this group are allowed, and which count as five toward the overall 10 fish limit. Limit on inland bodies of water (rivers, lakes, dams, etc.) is five fish per day, whether of a single specie or in combination.
Underwater fishing is limited to five fish per day, using rubber band or spring type harpoons, and only while skin diving.
There is no limit to the practice of "catch and release", as long as the fish that exceed the bag limit be returned to their environment in good survival condition.
Where sport fishing is conducted from boats out at sea for longer than three days, the bag limit will be the equivalent of three times the amounts mentioned above.
Mexican Fishing Violations
- It is illegal to capture and maintain alive any fish for ornamental purposes.
- It is prohibited to receive any financial gain from the product obtained through sport fishing.
- It is prohibited to dump trash, litter or substances that harm the aquatic flora or fauna, whether on lakes, river banks, shores or oceanic waters.
- It is prohibited to collect shells, corals, sea anemones and snails, or to disturb the original ecosystem environment.
- It is prohibited to practice sport fishing 250 meters or less from swimmers.
- It is prohibited to use artificial lighting to attract large quantities of fish.
- It is prohibited to discharge firearms in Mexican waters.
- Fish caught under a sport fishing license may not be filleted aboard the vessel from which it was caught
- It is requested that all unusual activities, occurrences or record catches be reported to the nearest office of the Oficina de Pesca, or to its representation in San Diego, CA., in order to ensure the preservation of natural resources for the continued enjoyment of all fishermen.
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Mexico Travel Information H3
U.S. Citizens entering or leaving Mexico by land are not required to have a U.S. passport to cross the border until June 1st, 2009.
Information on required documents for entering and leaving Mexico, such as visas, permits, tourist cards and Mexican Vehicle permits.
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