Hi,
Are there no rules and regulations for sport fishing in topago ?
How about fishing licenses ?
did not see any posts or anything in faq about these questions...
thx
Fishing licenses rules and regs ?
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Brian Taylor
- Tobago Business
- Posts: 994
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 10:43 am
- Location: Castara, Tobago
- Contact:
license? how to spell that? can you eat that? 
there are only licenses for boat captains, but I gues you don't want to highjack a boat...
have fun throwing a line
there are only licenses for boat captains, but I gues you don't want to highjack a boat...
have fun throwing a line
Stephanie & Brian "Alibaba" Taylor
Alibaba-Tours - http://www.Alibaba-Tours.com
Alibaba-Tours - http://www.Alibaba-Tours.com
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Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
Hi Matt
There are no rod licences or fishing permits required to fish around Tobago.
The only permit are out on the flats
Personally, I would like to see tourists being charged a nominal fee, for using Tobago's natural resources. The impact on such a small island from tourism is not all positive and although sportfishing is still in its infancy and not developed to such an extent as other Caribbean islands, it would be prudent to ensure that the fish stocks are managed for both local consumption, which is very important, alongside catch and release fishing for the inshore and offshore species.
Most places where sport fishermen are catered for and stocks are managed accordingly have some sort of permit - daily, weekly or monthly and as long as the money raised is ring-fenced for fisheries management and protection, very few anglers who I know would argue with the principle of paying for a well-managed resource.
I've said before that the shore fishng around Tobago is world-class, but there are no protection measures to ensure it stays that way. Gill nets are already being used on some of the flats and bays - this iss the death knell for certain species. There are no size limits either (that I'm aware of) and I have seen huge numbers of parrot fish netted at Little Rockly bay - far more than could be sold in an afternoon.
I would hate to think what would happen if some of the techniques that are employed by our fishermen were introduced to Tobago.
At least Tobago have imposed hefty fines on those caught illegally fishing for snapper in the past could of years (trawlers from Trinidad mainly)
Cheers
Steve
There are no rod licences or fishing permits required to fish around Tobago.
The only permit are out on the flats
Personally, I would like to see tourists being charged a nominal fee, for using Tobago's natural resources. The impact on such a small island from tourism is not all positive and although sportfishing is still in its infancy and not developed to such an extent as other Caribbean islands, it would be prudent to ensure that the fish stocks are managed for both local consumption, which is very important, alongside catch and release fishing for the inshore and offshore species.
Most places where sport fishermen are catered for and stocks are managed accordingly have some sort of permit - daily, weekly or monthly and as long as the money raised is ring-fenced for fisheries management and protection, very few anglers who I know would argue with the principle of paying for a well-managed resource.
I've said before that the shore fishng around Tobago is world-class, but there are no protection measures to ensure it stays that way. Gill nets are already being used on some of the flats and bays - this iss the death knell for certain species. There are no size limits either (that I'm aware of) and I have seen huge numbers of parrot fish netted at Little Rockly bay - far more than could be sold in an afternoon.
I would hate to think what would happen if some of the techniques that are employed by our fishermen were introduced to Tobago.
At least Tobago have imposed hefty fines on those caught illegally fishing for snapper in the past could of years (trawlers from Trinidad mainly)
Cheers
Steve
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Stephen Hull
While there are no licences required for angling in Tobago there is one area where all types of fishing are illegal, namely the Marine Park at Bon Accord Lagoon/Buccoo Reef. However, few people seem to be aware of the restrictions in the Marine Park. Indeed in true Tobagonian style, no-one is exactly too sure of where the park boundaries start and end!
The restrictions are largely ignored by commercial fishermen, charter boats and shore anglers. Indeed there is one gill netting boat moored for all to see, but the Fisheries Dept chooses to take no action.
In part, this is because law enforcement in Tobago sometimes appears to be discretionary, although there is also a feeling that the blanket restrictions on fishing were possibly imposed without sufficient thought to the minor nature of the environmental impacts from shore angling and catch and release charter operations or the economic and social impacts of enforcing a ban.
Steve
The restrictions are largely ignored by commercial fishermen, charter boats and shore anglers. Indeed there is one gill netting boat moored for all to see, but the Fisheries Dept chooses to take no action.
In part, this is because law enforcement in Tobago sometimes appears to be discretionary, although there is also a feeling that the blanket restrictions on fishing were possibly imposed without sufficient thought to the minor nature of the environmental impacts from shore angling and catch and release charter operations or the economic and social impacts of enforcing a ban.
Steve
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Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
Steve (H)Stephen Hull wrote:While there are no licences required for angling in Tobago there is one area where all types of fishing are illegal, namely the Marine Park at Bon Accord Lagoon/Buccoo Reef.
Steve
I've never quite fathomed out, whether it is the removal (killing) of fish and other creatures that is prohibited in this area or simply just the act of fishing per se.
I think that the blanket ban you mention, did not take some of the benefits of catch and release angling into account - not that I'm claiming we anglers are a special case.
To give an example of how allowing anglers LIMITED access to these areas could benefit the Buccoo Reef area - I have recently fished the Port Honduras area in Southern Belize. It's an area very much like Buccoo - coral flats, turtle grass and mangrove stands - a real nursery for small fish and other marine creatures.
Commercial fishing is banned completely and strictly enforced by a small but effective force of wardens, equiped with a couple of skiffs, who patrol the area and monitor the comings and goings of anyone entering the marine park.
Only catch and release sport fishing is allowed and anglers must pay a US$20 per day fee to fish. Fishing is only from boats with a guide, who must be qualified and licenced by the Belizian Gov, so that no damage is done to the flats and the habitat is preserved. It is one of the most beautiful and pristine places that I have ever fished.
The beauty of a scheme such as this is that the angler's licence fee helps pay for the protection of the marine reserve, which in turn provides better fishing for the local fishermen, as immature fish are allowed to grow unmolested in the marine park and then they spill out into the surrounding areas that the fishermen are allowed to fish (very much like the bass nursery areas in the UK) boosting their catches in the process.
As with many facets of tourism on Tobago (I'm reluctant to use the tag 'eco' here) there is a significant opportunity for the management of sport fishing, which could help fund the protection of areas like buccoo, but the THA appear to have no knowledge or concept of the potential that exists and so projects like the Buccoo Reef Trust have an uphill task.
I would of course be prepared to work for free, in a consulatative capacty, but the job might take several years
Cheers
Steve
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Stephen Hull
Steve
We obviously share a common interest here!
My day job is as an environmental consultant. I am doing some voluntary work with Buccoo Reef Trust while I am out here related to marine policy development.
I have chatted to Owen Day at BRT about the ban - I only learned about it when I barbecued him a barracuda that I had innocently caught in the lagoon! His view is that in law, the act of fishing is illegal in the Park. However, the management scheme for the park could clarify what can/cannot be done.
Marine management over here is very immature compared to UK. There is lots that could be done to make things better. There is a lot of talk about sustainable development but very little understanding of what it might look like or how it could be delivered.
I have an idea for a source of funds to do something about the fishing issue if you want to send me an email!
Steve
We obviously share a common interest here!
My day job is as an environmental consultant. I am doing some voluntary work with Buccoo Reef Trust while I am out here related to marine policy development.
I have chatted to Owen Day at BRT about the ban - I only learned about it when I barbecued him a barracuda that I had innocently caught in the lagoon! His view is that in law, the act of fishing is illegal in the Park. However, the management scheme for the park could clarify what can/cannot be done.
Marine management over here is very immature compared to UK. There is lots that could be done to make things better. There is a lot of talk about sustainable development but very little understanding of what it might look like or how it could be delivered.
I have an idea for a source of funds to do something about the fishing issue if you want to send me an email!
Steve
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Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
Hi Steve
My mate Dr Richard Ladle (mug shot at http://www.mytobago.info/fishing.php) has visited Tobago on a number of occasions in his capacity as an environmental adviser (climate change)from Oxford Uni.
I'm sure that he met with Owen Day and the Buccoo Reef Trust in Sept 03 and has also met with the THA to discuss the effects of environmental change on tourism in Sept 04. Ironically, two days after his presentation, hurricane Ivan swept across the Carribean and hit Tobago - the first hurricane in nearly forty years.
Your comment - Marine management over here is very immature compared to UK. made me smile. Despite our 'superior' knowledge the focus is still very much on extraction, rather than recreational exploitation, but in the last couple of years we have really made some progress in Government thinking. See http://www.ukbass.com for up-to-date info. on the current protection and development measures proposed for bass.
Not sure if your last comment is serious, but I and a couple of friends (Richard and Mike Ladle, who are both zoologists) have harboured a desire to get the THA to embrace the sustainable developement of sportfishing around Toabgo for some time now.
It just needs someone with the right experience and knowledge to get the attention of the THA and too explain that some of the protection measures could be self-financing.
We've slightly gone off thread here, but it's great to explore these ideas and let them develop - who knows what may come of it.
Cheers
Steve
My mate Dr Richard Ladle (mug shot at http://www.mytobago.info/fishing.php) has visited Tobago on a number of occasions in his capacity as an environmental adviser (climate change)from Oxford Uni.
I'm sure that he met with Owen Day and the Buccoo Reef Trust in Sept 03 and has also met with the THA to discuss the effects of environmental change on tourism in Sept 04. Ironically, two days after his presentation, hurricane Ivan swept across the Carribean and hit Tobago - the first hurricane in nearly forty years.
Your comment - Marine management over here is very immature compared to UK. made me smile. Despite our 'superior' knowledge the focus is still very much on extraction, rather than recreational exploitation, but in the last couple of years we have really made some progress in Government thinking. See http://www.ukbass.com for up-to-date info. on the current protection and development measures proposed for bass.
Not sure if your last comment is serious, but I and a couple of friends (Richard and Mike Ladle, who are both zoologists) have harboured a desire to get the THA to embrace the sustainable developement of sportfishing around Toabgo for some time now.
It just needs someone with the right experience and knowledge to get the attention of the THA and too explain that some of the protection measures could be self-financing.
We've slightly gone off thread here, but it's great to explore these ideas and let them develop - who knows what may come of it.
Cheers
Steve
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Stephen Hull
Steve
Small world - I spent a couple of summers working for Mike at the FBA labs in Wareham. Mike took me conger fishing one evening but we only caught a few pout! He also taught me a lot about bass fishing. Owen has also mentioned the work that Richard is doing, although we haven't met.
I think there is an opportunity to get some funding to look at fisheries and the Marine Park. I will chat to Owen and see how we can take this forward.
In terms of UK marine management, you might be interested in some work I was doing before I came on sabbatical - http://www.abpmer.co.uk/mspp
Steve
Small world - I spent a couple of summers working for Mike at the FBA labs in Wareham. Mike took me conger fishing one evening but we only caught a few pout! He also taught me a lot about bass fishing. Owen has also mentioned the work that Richard is doing, although we haven't met.
I think there is an opportunity to get some funding to look at fisheries and the Marine Park. I will chat to Owen and see how we can take this forward.
In terms of UK marine management, you might be interested in some work I was doing before I came on sabbatical - http://www.abpmer.co.uk/mspp
Steve
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Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
Steve
Small world indeed!
How long ago were you at the lab - perhaps we have met before, if it was within the past 20 years.
I will tell Mike that you are lounging in Tobago, whilst we are freezing our nuts off here - that will really p**s him off.
I'm sure you are aware of Mike's website http://www.mikeladle.com but you might like to check out his latest catches from the river http://www.mikeladle.com/catch/index.html - I'm sure you'll recognise some of the swims.
Cheers
Steve
Small world indeed!
How long ago were you at the lab - perhaps we have met before, if it was within the past 20 years.
I will tell Mike that you are lounging in Tobago, whilst we are freezing our nuts off here - that will really p**s him off.
I'm sure you are aware of Mike's website http://www.mikeladle.com but you might like to check out his latest catches from the river http://www.mikeladle.com/catch/index.html - I'm sure you'll recognise some of the swims.
Cheers
Steve
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Stephen Hull