signonsandiego.com
Written by
Ed Zieralski
3:58 p.m., Dec. 28, 2011

As expected, all anglers venturing into Mexico on fishing trips – by sea or by land -- now are required to obtain a visa in order to fish there.

The cost of the visas will be approximately $21, but will be tied into the value of the peso. Anglers must also have a fishing permit (approximately $11) or a yearly Mexican fishing license (approximately $45).

The Sportfishing Association of California today released some of the parameters surrounding the new documentation that all anglers must have to fish in Mexico. The local landings are working out an arrangement for a private company to administer the visas at the docks. SAC member vessels will obtain a visa through a program sanctioned by the Mexican Immigration Department (INAMI). All crew members must have a visa in order to work on fishing boats in Mexico. The third party company will work out of the local landings to make it easier for local anglers to obtain a visa.

“This program will permit the application process to be administered through a company approved by INAMI,” the SAC release said today. “This company is currently working with the sportfishing landings in San Diego to establish the required infrastructure. Once the process is ‘live’ the feasibility of opening it up to the general boating public will be evaluated by the San Diego Landings.”

According to SAC, on May 25, 2011, a new immigration law in Mexico was enacted by Mexico’s Immigration Department “in order to create in our country a framework of guarantees to protect the rights of the individuals in our country, facilitate and manage the migratory flows to and from Mexico, favoring the protection and respect of human rights of Mexicans and foreigners, regardless their origin, nationality, gender, ethnicity, age and immigration status.” Source INAMI (Mexico’s Immigration Department).

INAMI informed SAC that the new immigration law requires that all foreigners entering Mexican waters

INAMI has informed us that Articles 33, 44, 46, 50, 153, and 154 of the new immigration law require that all foreigners entering Mexican territory, which includes Mexican territorial waters and contiguous waters (24 miles) from shore, must have a Visa.

INAMI said anglers have two primary ways to apply for a Mexican visa if they intend to enter Mexico’s territorial waters. Boaters may appear at the Mexican land border points of entry and obtain a visa through an INAMI designated facility. Or boaters may report to the Port of Ensenada’s point of entry and contact the IMANI Office at the Port to obtain a visa.

SAC is offering the third option for anglers to get a visa at the local landings.

The new rules are:

All U.S. or international tourists travelling to Mexico must have a visa to enter Mexico. It’s called a FMM permit. This permit must go through a different process, depending on whether one is entering Mexico by land or by sea.

INAMI has authorized a third party organization to issue the water entry visa at the five San Diego landings for tourists with passage on any SAC member vessel. All other visas must be obtained in Mexico.

The cost of the visa will vary and depend on the length of the trip and the value of the peso.

INAMI will monitor the border and do random inspections of all vessels crossing into Mexican waters. Private boaters along with commercial passenger fishing vessels will be checked.

All those boarded will be asked to show a national ID and a Mexican visa.

All FMM visas must be returned within 24 hours upon return to the U.S.

Recreational boaters who aren’t fishing, but just traveling through Mexico’s territorial waters, will not be required to have a visa.

Also, all crew members will be required to have a FM3 visa, which can be obtained through the third party company set up at the landings or at a INAMI office.

Visa applications may be made at the following locations:

Fisherman’s Landing, 2838 Garrison Street, San Diego, CA 92106 (619) 221-8500 www.FishermansLanding.com

H&M Sportfishing, 2803 Emerson Street, San Diego, CA 92106, (619) 222-1144 www.HMLanding.com

Point Loma Sportfishing, 1403 Scott Street, San Diego, CA 92106, (619) 223-1627 www.PointLomaSportfishing.com

Seaforth Sportfishing, 1717 Quivira Road, San Diego, CA 92109 (619) 224-3383 www.SeaforthLanding.com

Dana Landing, 2580 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA 92109, (619) 226-2929 www.Danalanding.com

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