You may remember a few weeks back I posted a Blog regarding the fishing regulations in the Turks & Caicos (TCI). All fishermen are required to purchase a fishing license ( a good thing) and on the back of the license is printed ” The Holder should familiarize Him/Herself with the Fisheries Protection Regulations” which makes perfect sense. The problem is finding the regulations that are relevant to a sports fishermen.
Marta Morton photo
I searched the internet for hours, received dozens of emails from readers, (all with varying opinions), asked authorities and vendors and in the end left TCI without a clue as to where I could or could not walk and wade for bonefish. Since I felt an obligation to subscribers and to those reading my upcoming book Do It Yourself Bonefishing, I pursued the matter with the appropriate authorities.
Marta Morton photo
Yesterday I received an official response from Kathleen Wood, Director of the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs, Turks & Caicos Islands. She was very gracious in her response and provided the clarity I was looking for.
Quoting Ms. Wood “please be advised that under the National Parks Ordinance, no fishing of any kind is permitted in a Protected Area. This includes National Parks, Nature Reserves, Sanctuaries and Areas of Historic Interest. I am attaching a copy of the national Parks Ordinance and the Fisheries Protection Ordinance for your information. Therefore, under the Ordinance, you cannot bonefish in Silly Creek or the Chalk Sound National Park. Furthermore, fishing in the North, Middle and East Caicos Ramsar Nature Reserve is also prohibited. Most of Bottle Creek is actually outside of the East Bay Cays National Park, so it would be okay to fish there.”
The map that she included showing the National Park and Nature Reserve boundaries is very large so I can’t reproduce it here, but it can be found by clicking Nature Reserves.
In a nutshell, many of the locations we have all seen in pictures , blogs and magazines are in Nature Reserves and as such are illegal to fish. Bonefish Point, a popular spot is located within the boundaries of the Pigeon Pond and Frenchmen’s Creek Nature Reserve, no fishing. The southern shores of North and Middle Caicos are in the North, Middle and East Caicos Nature Reserve, no fishing. You may well ask “where can I fish?” The answer: it is very limited.
Flamingo Lake, Marta Morton photo
Now you know the law.
Ms Wood also stated in her email that “TCI is currently reviewing legislation relating to catch and release sport fishing and we are likely to open up some areas that are currently closed to fishing for catch and release recreational fishing.” That was an extremely encouraging comment and I look forward to hearing more.
Special thanks to Barry and Marta Morton of Harbour Club Villas who spearheaded the “on ground” efforts to get the regulations clarified. As a matter of fact one of the best bonefishng spots on TCI that is legal, is right out there front door!
