New Website to Clarify Mexico Sportfishing Rules Sandra Dibble - UTSanDiego.com
go to original October 5, 2014

On the heels of complaints from the San Diego sportfishing community, Mexico is moving to clarify the steps required to fish legally in its waters.

A new Mexican government website aims to help U.S. tourists understand the requirements of Mexican federal agencies, including customs, fisheries and immigration.

“The message is very clear. You are most welcome in Mexico because tourists are important in Mexico,” said Ana Luisa Fajer, director general for North America of Mexico’s Foreign Relations Secretariat. “But at the same time there are very clear and specific rules and regulations.”

Fajer and other Mexican federal officials announced the new website on last week at the Mexican Consulate in San Diego. They expect to launch it later this year.

On the website, visitors will learn rules such as Mexican customs' requirement that visitors can bring up to four fishing rods into the country without paying duties. They will learn that they need to pay about $25 for a tourist visa from Mexico's National Migration Institute. Rodulfo Figueroa, Mexico's top federal immigration official in Baja California estimated that only 25 percent of those who come fishing in Mexico do so with the proper permit.

Failure to comply can result in an abrupt end to south-of-the-border fishing trips. The new website is expected to provide information about the rules and list specific sanctions that apply for those who violate them.

“Nautical tourists will be informed and know which documents they will need to go to Mexico with no hesitation,” said Alejandro Santander, a representative of Mexico’s Tourism Board.

Read the full story on UTSanDiego.com

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