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New Bahamian fees in effect for last major fishing tournament |
By BETH FEINSTEIN-BARTL
Waterfront News Writer
The last major billfish tournament of the summer will be take place in Abaco, Bahamas. The competition, which coincides with Bahamian Independence Day, will be held July 5 to 10 at the Sea Spray Resort and Marina on Elbow Key. This is the resort's first time sponsoring the contest, which has been dubbed the Independence Billfish Tournament.
As of mid-June, 10 vessels had paid the $1,600 registration fee. About 20 boats are expected to participate, said Monty Albury, manager at the Sea Spray. The 14-room resort decided to host the event because of its newly-expanded, 60-slip marina, Albury said. Registration covers up to four anglers, dinners, cocktail parties and an awards banquet. Winners in six categories will receive $25,000 in merchandise, he said.
As an added bonus, the Bahamian government is offering a $500,000 cash prize to anyone who breaks the country's current billfish record of about 1,080 pounds, Albury said.
Since Bahamian Independence Day is on July 10, organizers have also put together a series of activities such as entertainment by fire walkers, limbo dancers, beach bonfires, conch-cracking contests and a treasure hunt. Earl Miller, manager of special events for the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, said he likes the idea of combining a fishing tournament with the country's Independence Day celebration because "There's something for everyone in the family".
Abaco, which sits 180 miles due east of West Palm Beach, is noted as one of the best fishing grounds in the Bahamas. The Sea Spray competition is the last major competition scheduled for the area in 1999. The next big tournament will be held in January, Miller said.
The Sea Spray competition falls around the same time that the Bahamian government institutes new fees, designed to make it easier for boaters to enter and leave the country's waters, Miller said.
The revised fees will go into effect on July 1. The cost will cover cruising and fishing permits, as well as customs and immigration charges and departure tax. A flat levy of $100 will be charged to each vessel with four persons or less. The cost will cover cruising and fishing permits, as well as customs and immigration charges. Boats carrying more than four passengers will be required to pay $15 for each extra person ages 6 and older on board, Miller said.
Under the old structure, boaters had to pay $10 for a cruising permit, plus another $20 for a fishing permit. A extra $50 was paid to customs and immigration, but only if vessels entered the waters during holidays, weekends and after 5 p.m. on weekdays, Miller said. Boaters were also required to give an additional $60 for the departure tax. But collecting those fees were difficult, Miller said. "It's not like boarding a plane," he said. "Boaters can leave at any time they choose. It was difficult for the government to keep track of their movements."
The new fees should be less confusing for everyone. The money will be pumped into the government's coffers, which will be used for such projects as upgrading marina facilities, promoting boating safety and installing more buoys to protect reefs and harbors, Miller said.
For more information on the Independence Day Billfish Tournament call 242-366-0065, or 800-688-4752, ext. 413. |
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