08-01-2012, 09:55 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-01-2012, 10:00 AM by Saltwater Bass.)
From Brandon Hayward's Blog of Western Outdoor News @ http://www.wonews.com/Blog.aspx?id=1918&...ico+issues
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
More on Mexico issues
What do we even call this whole debacle going on for sportboats and private boaters trying to fish Northern Baja within 24 miles of land? It goes so far beyond the FMM (not a visa) issues that brought in this season.
The most recent saga has no sportboats fishing the Coronados or northern Baja, and skiffs that make the decision to fish the islands have been in a guessing game.
It all comes on the heels of the Mexican Navy “kicking out” all the boats fishing the Coronados. But the issues are so much deeper than that and go back way past the requirement for an FMM and the now defunct MX Tour Assist sprouting up.
I’m working on a big story for next week. The feature writer, columnist, salt reports caps are not getting put on for a while.
Here are some points that sources have helped pass along to go with what I know about the issue.
1) Prior to the Friday “kick out” at the Coronados, the first incident was for the sportboat Sea Watch. It was on a snorkeling/fishing trip. The Mexican Navy asked to see their “snorkeling permit.” There is no such thing. The Sea Watch was told to leave…
2) There is a permit called a SCT. It is issued by a department that handles ports, waterways and transportation. This Nautical Tourism Permit is like what cruise ships have. Boats, as in long range boats, that do fly-down/fly-back and ride down, fly-back trips have the SCT already.
3) The FMM and the SCT are essentially an orchestrated plan by those in power in Mexico to “force” boats into Ensenada. Oh, the SCT requires that boats both check in and out of a Mexican port. This is not possible for ¾-day boats. Nor is it possible for SOLAS endorsed sportboats, like a portion of the long range fleet that fishes past zone two. U.S. Coast Guard regulations say that SOLAS vessels can not go into foreign ports.
3) Discussions on the issues with Mexican officials have turned up and attitude that “we” (as in the U.S.) make it tough for “them” (as in Mexican citizens) to come here, so why should “we” be able to go “there” so easily.
4) MX Tour Assist is no longer in business. Why did they sprout up in the first place? Word is that four very powerful officials said that MX Tour Assist will (or would) issue the FMM. (Or else essentially what is happening right now would be the way it is.) No landings are currently selling the FMM. Those trying to go to Tijuana to get the 180 day FMM have had varying degrees of success. Is that FMM even valid? It is seemingly impossible to get this FMM.
5) Private boaters can not get a SCT. Do they even need a FMM? Recent days have had no issues for boats fishing the islands.
The big question is why is all this happening? Is it from the economic crisis in Northern Baja? Sentiments like that of point 3? Is the SoCal fleet viewed as competition to the Mexican sport fleets?
As it is now, no sportboats are fishing the Coronados. Long rangers are not being allowed to fish Guadalupe Island. (Thank god for the best long range offshore season in almost a decade.) Skiff anglers are confused and scared about fishing in Mexico.
There are more questions than answers… there really are no answers, aside from “No” to any calls to the landings about fishing the Coronados on a ¾-day trip. In the meantime, any boats fishing Mexican waters are fishing outside of 24 miles.
Tomorrow’s blog will explore the issue even more and get a little deeper than the 5 overview points. One thing is for certain: the way “we” look at fishing in Mexico has been changed forever …
Click here for Brandon Hayward's Bio
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
More on Mexico issues
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
Tracing back the FMM/SCT issue
It's hard to put a dart in when and where the face of fishing Northern Baja within 24 miles of land changed so drastically. But the press release from the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego from March 12 of this year--which is the only publicly released document most anglers have seen--was certainly the most confusing piece on the subject.
In order to talk about the FMM issue (which also includes needing a SCT Permit for sportboats) everything has to start with the release. It's in the blog below, with highlights I made that put an emphasis on yesterday's blog points. Anyone who would like the pdf of the release can e mail me at brandon@wonews.com
In the meantime, there are still more questions than answers. Can long range boats fish islands like Cedros on multi-day trips? That's part of what I'm trying to figure out. I have a call in with Alberto Diaz, the media contact at the Consulate General's office. He's supposed to call me back at 11:30 a.m. When he does, I'll update the blog.
Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego
Press Release # 06/2012
March 12th, 2012
REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER MEXICO FOR RECREATIONAL SPORTSFSHING ACTIVITIES
In order to respond to recent requests for information regarding the procedures to be followed, and the permits to be obtained by foreign tourists entering Mexican waters for sport fishing activities, the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego communicates the following:
There is no visa or new immigration requirement for sport fishing purposes. U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the United States, and foreigners who carry any type of valid U.S. visa do not require a Mexican visa to enter the country as tourists for a period of up to 180 days.
According to current regulations, US citizens that wish to enter Mexico for any purpose, including sport fishing, must: (i) present themselves before migration authorities in a port open for international transit of persons. Ensenada is presently the nearest Mexican seaport to San Diego that offers this service; (ii) fill out the Multiple Migratory Form (FMM); (iii) present a valid Passport or any other valid form of government issued id; and make the tourist immigration rights payment of $294 (Two hundred and ninety four Mexican pesos)
Mexican law considers the possible participation of consignee agencies. Their function is to support all administrative procedures, such as gathering information, filling out forms and payment of fees. The hiring of the aforementioned services for recreational or sport fishing vessels for private use is not mandatory. Fees charged by consignee agencies are not part of the government rates applicable to the issuance of various permits.
It is also required for every person that intends to enter Mexico for sport fishing activities to obtain the individual sport fishing permit, issued by the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA). This permit may be processed at: http://e5cinco.conapesca.gob.mx. Fees as of January 2012 are:
? 1 day $110 Mexican pesos
? 1 week $ 276 Mexican pesos
? 1 year $ 553 Mexican pesos
? Excursion $ 787 Mexican pesos
Commercial recreational or sport vessels, Mexican or foreign-registered, that will make use of any Mexican port must obtain a permit for the provision of tourism services. This is issued by the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT) and must be requested in advance to the corresponding Port Captain’s Office. This requirement is not applicable to private vessels that engage in sport fishing in Mexican waters.
The Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR) is empowered to carry out inspections in local and foreign vessels navigating Mexican territorial waters in order to ensure compliance of applicable regulations.
The promotion of tourism to our country is one of the high priorities of the Mexican government. Information will be provided in a timely manner about new measures to be taken to facilitate the entrance of foreign tourist to our territory, including those tourists that wish to do sport fishing in Mexican territorial waters.
(Blogger's note: so where's the information?)
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
More on Mexico issues
What do we even call this whole debacle going on for sportboats and private boaters trying to fish Northern Baja within 24 miles of land? It goes so far beyond the FMM (not a visa) issues that brought in this season.
The most recent saga has no sportboats fishing the Coronados or northern Baja, and skiffs that make the decision to fish the islands have been in a guessing game.
It all comes on the heels of the Mexican Navy “kicking out” all the boats fishing the Coronados. But the issues are so much deeper than that and go back way past the requirement for an FMM and the now defunct MX Tour Assist sprouting up.
I’m working on a big story for next week. The feature writer, columnist, salt reports caps are not getting put on for a while.
Here are some points that sources have helped pass along to go with what I know about the issue.
1) Prior to the Friday “kick out” at the Coronados, the first incident was for the sportboat Sea Watch. It was on a snorkeling/fishing trip. The Mexican Navy asked to see their “snorkeling permit.” There is no such thing. The Sea Watch was told to leave…
2) There is a permit called a SCT. It is issued by a department that handles ports, waterways and transportation. This Nautical Tourism Permit is like what cruise ships have. Boats, as in long range boats, that do fly-down/fly-back and ride down, fly-back trips have the SCT already.
3) The FMM and the SCT are essentially an orchestrated plan by those in power in Mexico to “force” boats into Ensenada. Oh, the SCT requires that boats both check in and out of a Mexican port. This is not possible for ¾-day boats. Nor is it possible for SOLAS endorsed sportboats, like a portion of the long range fleet that fishes past zone two. U.S. Coast Guard regulations say that SOLAS vessels can not go into foreign ports.
3) Discussions on the issues with Mexican officials have turned up and attitude that “we” (as in the U.S.) make it tough for “them” (as in Mexican citizens) to come here, so why should “we” be able to go “there” so easily.
4) MX Tour Assist is no longer in business. Why did they sprout up in the first place? Word is that four very powerful officials said that MX Tour Assist will (or would) issue the FMM. (Or else essentially what is happening right now would be the way it is.) No landings are currently selling the FMM. Those trying to go to Tijuana to get the 180 day FMM have had varying degrees of success. Is that FMM even valid? It is seemingly impossible to get this FMM.
5) Private boaters can not get a SCT. Do they even need a FMM? Recent days have had no issues for boats fishing the islands.
The big question is why is all this happening? Is it from the economic crisis in Northern Baja? Sentiments like that of point 3? Is the SoCal fleet viewed as competition to the Mexican sport fleets?
As it is now, no sportboats are fishing the Coronados. Long rangers are not being allowed to fish Guadalupe Island. (Thank god for the best long range offshore season in almost a decade.) Skiff anglers are confused and scared about fishing in Mexico.
There are more questions than answers… there really are no answers, aside from “No” to any calls to the landings about fishing the Coronados on a ¾-day trip. In the meantime, any boats fishing Mexican waters are fishing outside of 24 miles.
Tomorrow’s blog will explore the issue even more and get a little deeper than the 5 overview points. One thing is for certain: the way “we” look at fishing in Mexico has been changed forever …
Click here for Brandon Hayward's Bio
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
More on Mexico issues
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
Tracing back the FMM/SCT issue
It's hard to put a dart in when and where the face of fishing Northern Baja within 24 miles of land changed so drastically. But the press release from the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego from March 12 of this year--which is the only publicly released document most anglers have seen--was certainly the most confusing piece on the subject.
In order to talk about the FMM issue (which also includes needing a SCT Permit for sportboats) everything has to start with the release. It's in the blog below, with highlights I made that put an emphasis on yesterday's blog points. Anyone who would like the pdf of the release can e mail me at brandon@wonews.com
In the meantime, there are still more questions than answers. Can long range boats fish islands like Cedros on multi-day trips? That's part of what I'm trying to figure out. I have a call in with Alberto Diaz, the media contact at the Consulate General's office. He's supposed to call me back at 11:30 a.m. When he does, I'll update the blog.
Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego
Press Release # 06/2012
March 12th, 2012
REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER MEXICO FOR RECREATIONAL SPORTSFSHING ACTIVITIES
In order to respond to recent requests for information regarding the procedures to be followed, and the permits to be obtained by foreign tourists entering Mexican waters for sport fishing activities, the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego communicates the following:
There is no visa or new immigration requirement for sport fishing purposes. U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the United States, and foreigners who carry any type of valid U.S. visa do not require a Mexican visa to enter the country as tourists for a period of up to 180 days.
According to current regulations, US citizens that wish to enter Mexico for any purpose, including sport fishing, must: (i) present themselves before migration authorities in a port open for international transit of persons. Ensenada is presently the nearest Mexican seaport to San Diego that offers this service; (ii) fill out the Multiple Migratory Form (FMM); (iii) present a valid Passport or any other valid form of government issued id; and make the tourist immigration rights payment of $294 (Two hundred and ninety four Mexican pesos)
Mexican law considers the possible participation of consignee agencies. Their function is to support all administrative procedures, such as gathering information, filling out forms and payment of fees. The hiring of the aforementioned services for recreational or sport fishing vessels for private use is not mandatory. Fees charged by consignee agencies are not part of the government rates applicable to the issuance of various permits.
It is also required for every person that intends to enter Mexico for sport fishing activities to obtain the individual sport fishing permit, issued by the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA). This permit may be processed at: http://e5cinco.conapesca.gob.mx. Fees as of January 2012 are:
? 1 day $110 Mexican pesos
? 1 week $ 276 Mexican pesos
? 1 year $ 553 Mexican pesos
? Excursion $ 787 Mexican pesos
Commercial recreational or sport vessels, Mexican or foreign-registered, that will make use of any Mexican port must obtain a permit for the provision of tourism services. This is issued by the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT) and must be requested in advance to the corresponding Port Captain’s Office. This requirement is not applicable to private vessels that engage in sport fishing in Mexican waters.
The Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR) is empowered to carry out inspections in local and foreign vessels navigating Mexican territorial waters in order to ensure compliance of applicable regulations.
The promotion of tourism to our country is one of the high priorities of the Mexican government. Information will be provided in a timely manner about new measures to be taken to facilitate the entrance of foreign tourist to our territory, including those tourists that wish to do sport fishing in Mexican territorial waters.
(Blogger's note: so where's the information?)
