Buy a license, save a fish

Anglers visiting Cabo San Lucas and other popular fishing destinations in Mexico have an added incentive to buy sport fishing licenses: The money will be used to benefit local marine conservation.

Money from the sale of licenses once went to Mexico’s general fund. Under a new law, it will be returned to the Mexican states where the licenses are sold or used, provided the states have signed an agreement with the federal government.

“That’s a great deal. The anglers would be a lot less concerned about the money they spend on licenses and permits [in Mexico] if it goes back to managing and enhancing the resources,” says Bob Fletcher, president of the Sportfishing Assn. of California.

Baja California Sur, which includes Cabo San Lucas, La Paz and Loreto, will be among the biggest beneficiaries. License sales there total about $300,000 annually, and much of the $4 million in sales generated through the federal office in San Diego comes from licenses purchased to fish in southern Baja.

Leonel Cota, the state’s governor, expects the added revenue to be used for conservation projects and to combat illegal fishing practices -- such as fishing without a license.

*

Pete Thomas