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A Question I couldn't Answer???
We've discussed at length about clearing in and out of the Bahamas. We've touched on places like Cay Sal and made the recommendation that clear first then fish is most prudent. I've always been a strong proponent of clearing if any question is in place. Personally, I don't do one day quickies to that side. Overnight at the very shortest.
Had a friend ask about the area above the "corner" and I wasn't able to give him a distinct answer. I've seen statements that it could be considered "their water" half way or more across. I've seen others that adhere to 12 miles from nearest point of land. I've even seen some rather questionable assertions that 3 miles draws the line. Cay Sal there is land, uninhabited or sparsely so, but land none the less so I can certainly see 12 Mile being in play. The corner though is a long way from any land. Above it there is no "Bahamas" in front of you so the half way rule kind of goes away. If you wanted to go with that rule you would be effectively saying that their territory extends 600 miles north to half way between there and New York...
So... Its May ... Its Calm... You have a capable machine. You want to hit that area 10-12 miles north of the corner. Its 50 miles from say Ft. Pierce... Just go or run to West End or Walkers to clear when they are farther from that area than you are???
Had a friend ask about the area above the "corner" and I wasn't able to give him a distinct answer. I've seen statements that it could be considered "their water" half way or more across. I've seen others that adhere to 12 miles from nearest point of land. I've even seen some rather questionable assertions that 3 miles draws the line. Cay Sal there is land, uninhabited or sparsely so, but land none the less so I can certainly see 12 Mile being in play. The corner though is a long way from any land. Above it there is no "Bahamas" in front of you so the half way rule kind of goes away. If you wanted to go with that rule you would be effectively saying that their territory extends 600 miles north to half way between there and New York...
So... Its May ... Its Calm... You have a capable machine. You want to hit that area 10-12 miles north of the corner. Its 50 miles from say Ft. Pierce... Just go or run to West End or Walkers to clear when they are farther from that area than you are???
Replies
I guess we may want to let the guys that fish 70-100 miles out from Canaveral, PSL, Melboune, etc, know that they are being bad! They would fall inside the 200nm limit from the northern most shore of the Bahamas......... I wonder how many boats are out there, 'patrolling'?
The Bahamian Coast Guard had an airplane flying overhead and had a very fast and capable speedboat with
three 300 hp outboards, jump seats, heavy firearms etc which apparently was our gift from a drug seizure.
I have to admit that a couple of the officers were maybe 100 lb overweight and when it was time to get in the water
they had looks of "you are out of your mind if you think we are getting in the water".
The Bahamians figure their territorial waters from the edge of the banks, not from land.
US and Bahamas have to this day not agreed on an EEZ line. Therefore you cannot be in violation.Disagreement is with Northern zone which Bahamas wants mineral rights and US wants to keep our PLL fleet busy there.
12 miles is probably jurisdiction for rec anglers
“Everyone behaves badly--given the chance.”
― Ernest Hemingway
Now. Having said that. It does not mean that either side will vigorously enforce it.
Up until a few years ago the Bahamas has not had the intrest or financial ability to vigorously Inforce it. The Bahamain Govt has been slowly moving in the direction of more enforcement in that area but it is unlikely they will spend much money to patrol more than just a few miles.
I hope they do.