fishing licenses

Mexican Sportfishing Regulations from Oficina de Pesca San Diego

* 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 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 fisherman only, after written authorization from the Ministry before use.

Bag and Possession Limits

* In ocean waters and estuaries the limit is a total of ten fish per day, with no more than 5 catches of a single species, except of the species of marlin, sailfish, swordfish and shark of which only one specimen of either is allowed and which counts as five toward the overall 10 fish limit, or dorado, roosterfish, shad or tarpon, of which only two samples of 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 species or in combination.
* Underwater fishing is limited to five fish per day, using rubber band or spring type harpoons, and only while skindiving.
* 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 sportfishing is conducted from boats out at sea for longer that three days, the bag limit will be the equivalent of three times the amounts mentioned above.

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 sportfishing.
* 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 sportfishing 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 sportfishing license may not be filleted aboard the vessel from which it was caught.
* It is requested that all unusual activities, occurrences or record catches to be reported to the nearest 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 fisherman.