Bahamas Territorial Sea

To establish the breadth of the territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles or an outer boundary agreed upon with neighboring States.

Species of Concern: Multiple

Restrictions

The Bahamams have sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources, whether living or non-living, of these waters. Fishing restrictions, such as bag limits, seasons, and size restrictions apply. Please consult the local fishing laws, some of which are referenced on this page, for more information.

1. All commercial shark fishing is prohibited.
2. Use or possession of spear guns and spearfishing is prohibited, with the exception of Hawaiian slings. Spearfishing is prohibited altogether within 1.6 km off the coast of New Providence, within 1.6 km off the south coast of Freeport or Grand Bahama Island, and within 200 yards off the coast of all the Out Islands.
3. Use of scuba gear or an air compressor to take fish, conch, crawfish and other marine animals is prohibited.
4. Fish traps and nets, other than landing nets, are prohibited.
5. Take of sea turtles is prohibited. No vessel may have any turtles onboard.
6. Take of corals is prohibited.
7. Bag limits:
- Lobster or Crawfish: Six tails per person, at any time. Annual closed season is 1 April to 31 July. Minimum size limits are 3 3/8 carapace length or 6 tail length. Egg-bearing female crawfish are protected.
- Conch: Taking and possessing conch without a well-formed lip is prohibited. Bag limit at any time is 10 per person.
- Wahoo/Dolphin/Kingfish: Six fish per person, in any combination.
- Stone Crabs: Closed season is 1 June to 15 October. Minimum harvestable claw is 4. Taking of females is prohibited.

Allowed

Ships of all States, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.