ENSENADA – Jaime Bonilla Valdez, Governor of Baja California officially reopened Sportfishing services here in the state this week, with the condition that the popular tourism service providers must comply with all of the federal sanitary protocols and provisions as required, emphasized by Mario Escobedo Carignan – the Secretary of Sustainable Economy and Tourism (SEST).

The state official stressed that this authorization to reopen the activity was issued by the Regional Port Captain – Daniel Antonio Mass Michel – after a series of efforts made by the BC State Governor Jaime Bonilla Valdez, through the port agency.

“With this provision, the operators of 143 sportfishing boats in Baja California will benefit, all covered under the permission issued from Nautical Tourism,” he said.

Over the weekend, the Governor of the State and the head of the SEST, led a tour of the Ensenada Bay, to verify the sanitary protocols of the sport fishing owners. Escobedo pointed out that the reopening will be a real boost to local restaurateurs, lodging providers, merchants and a long chain of supply and service providers throughout the entire region.

The measure involves a series of actions, in which the Undersecretary for Fisheries and Aquaculture will participate. According to the Harbor Master notice, nautical tourism is considered restored only in the form of sportsfishing because it is a priority activity for the economic and social development of the entity.

To be able to reopen, all sportfishing operatorswill be required to follow the “Sanitary Protocol for the Nautical Tourism Service of Sport Fishing in the State of Baja California” and the vessels provide sportfishing services must be covered by a valid insurance policy, certificate of registration and maritime safety, sport fishing permits, sea logs and departure dispatch issued by the Harbor Master.

All sportfishing providers must present proof of compliance whenever requested by the appropriate local authority and a “Release of Liability for Nautical Tourism Services” must be signed by each of the vessel’s passengers and their nautical service providers.

Any nautical service providers operating in the coastal waters of the state of Baja California must ensure that proper sanitary protocols are followed including the wearing of face masks and ensure the number of passengers aboard allows for safe social distancing in regards to crew members and other passengers, as established by the Harbor Master, the Ministry of Health and the Undersecretary of Fisheries and Aquaculture.