To help sustain one of the country’s most popular sport, regulations for the fly fishing industry in The Bahamas is set to come into effect on January 9.

Deputy Director General for the Ministry of Tourism, Ellison Thompson noted that for the first time The Bahamas’ fly fishing industry will have regulations.

“Both the public and private sectors collaborated extensively on the new legislation with the aim of sustainable development of the fly fishing sector.

“Our aim was to make the industry sustainable for those working in the sector and for those enjoying the natural environment and sporting activities of The Bahamas,” Mr. Thompson said.

The regulations, which is a culmination of months of work between the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources and the Ministry of Tourism with public consultation, will require persons who desire to fish in the flats [anglers], over the age of 12 years, to apply for personal [anglers’] license and pay a prescribed fee.

Non-citizens will also be required to pay for licenses in varying amounts from $15 to $60 and for varying time constraints from daily to annual licenses.

The new law will also establish a Conservative Fund for the management and protection of the flats and fisheries resources in The Bahamas.

Director of Domestic Tourism Jacquelin Ramsey also noted that regulations will allow participants [anglers] the world over to continue to enjoy The Bahamas for decades to come.

“Millions of visitors come to our islands each year to fly fish, be it for bonefishing, deep sea fishing or live bait fishing. We want to make it so that the industry is more transparent and that our fish stocks and that our local guides are protected,” she said.

The fly fishing regulations is the result of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Tourism working together to protect the fly fishing industries.