Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) (Flats Fishing) Regulations, 2017 (S.I. No. 2 of 2017).

The Regulations concern fishing in shallow waters in The Bahamas, i.e. in those areas comprising the territorial sea, the archipelagic waters, the internal waters, and the exclusive fishery zone of The Bahamas where water levels comprise a shallow gradient between one to six feet deep with different habitats including sand flats, mud marks, mangrove and mangrove creeks ("flats fishing"). A personal angler licence issued by the Minister is required to engage in such fishing, and additionally, for a vessel other than a Bahamian owned or licensed charter vessel a permit to engage in sports fishing is required. Such vessels must employ certified flats fishing guides as prescribed. These Regulations provide for the certification and licensing of such guides. The Minister shall establish a Conservation Fund and a committee for the conservation and management of the flats and its fisheries resources. Certain restrictions regarding flats fishing and offences are prescribed.