Earlier this month, the Bahamian Government issued a statement that new regulations governing flats fishing in the Bahamas would come into effect on January 9th – most notably that anglers will now be required to purchase a fishing license when engaging in flats fishing in the Bahamas.
Many of you have asked us how to obtain a Bahamian fishing license.. Great question!
To our knowledge, there is currently no infrastructure in place in which to purchase a license online. However, an application for a ‘Flats Angler’ license has been posted online, and can be downloaded by clicking right here, along with the complete draft of flats fishing regulations passed earlier this month.
This application can then be submitted to local authorities, depending on the island, for a valid fishing license.
Therefore, for those joining us in the near future at Andros South, we are encouraging everyone to fill out the Flats Angler Application at the link above, prior to their trip, and be prepared to pay the following prices for the intended length of your trip. We will be in contact with our incoming guests as to the most convenient means of submitting the application.
The published prices for a 2017 Bahamas Fishing Licenses for anglers 12 years and older are as follows.
- Daily License: $15.00
- Weekly License: $20.00
- Monthly License: $30.00
- Annual License: $60.00
We anticipate that an online portal to purchase licenses online could become available at any time in the near future. Until then, we’ll be sure to update you as soon as we know more.
Have you had clients yet that have purchased a license? If so where did they get it? Customs? Fisheries Department? At your lodge? or ?
A small correction to the article above. If you read “Fisheries Resources “Jurisdiction and conservation)(Flats fishing) Regulations 2017” it states:
6.1. The minister shall establish a Conservation fund for the conservation and management of the flats and its fisheries resources.
and
6.2 The fees payable on the issuance of a personal angler licence shall be allocatable as follows- (b) fifty percent of the fee shall be reserved as a conservation levy and depsaited for the purposes of the Conservation Fund ……
So it appears that a significant fraction of the license funds are to be directed to conservation.
Where do you purchase the licenses on Grand Bahama Island?
Hi Lorraine,
Unfortunately it varies from island to island. On South Andros, licenses are purchased at the local ‘commissioner’s office’ although they might do it differently on Grand Bahama. Currently there’s a lot of confusion throughout the Bahamas as to whether a license program will continue. My advice would be to contact the lodge, outfit, or hotel you might be staying at to help clarify, if you’re planning a trip to Grand Bahama. Wish we could be of more help. Best of luck.
Thanks for the information. That is also what I gathered that their is some confusion as it isn’t readily clear where to apply and where to get licenses. Thank you!