Changes in Mexican Fishing License Procedures Effective January 1, 2010

In the past years we have always been able to obtain fishing permission by boat for the year. This is no longer the case and each individual fisherman must obtain a license for fishing in Mexican waters. We are also no longer able to secure books of blank licenses because the license must be filled out with the fishermans’ personal data at the point of purchase. While we may be able to secure licenses on very short notice down here on an emergency basis, we cannot rely on this and I would hate to have you miss your first day of fishing while we were getting you your license. Luckily these licenses can be obtained prior to your trip, through the mail. The Conapesca office in San Diego can issue licenses for
    1 week  @ $25.80
    1 month  @  $37.00
    1 year   @   $48.20
(Note: You can buy your 1 week and 1 month licenses ahead of time by putting in writing the date that you would like the license to become effective, while the 1 year licenses will begin on the date of issuance and last one calendar year.)
You can copy the license application form from the Conapesca website at www.conapescasandiego.org, click on the “license request form” box in the top header. You then mail this application the address on the website with a money order or cashiers’ check in the exact amount of purchase (no credit cards, cash, or personal checks will be accepted) with a self addressed, stamped envelope for return of your license to you. This process will take less than two weeks.
Clearly the one year license is a deal for those of you lucky enough to come down more than once a year. We’re sorry for this inconvenience but it appears as though the fishing folks down here are trying to tighten up on licenses, limits, etc., and have initiated these new procedures. We know that you will welcome any improved management of the fishing resource in the Sea of Cortez, and we all hope that these changes are real movement in that direction.

David Jones