Hi Guys, I have just been talking to some of my contacts in Cuba and with the Cuban ministers for tourism. Just wanted to let you know there are moves afoot to now ban all DIY fishing in the WHOLE of Cuba. This will mean that any fishing will only be allowed with a company registered and as its Cuba 51% owned by the Cuba government. Guides who offer services on the side as such working from hotels etc will be prohibited to take people fishing. You will also be prohibited to fish on your own. There reasons according to them are to control / manage tourism (Which is one of their biggest incomes) plus to give money back to the locals who will also be affected by such a ban. (If it ever gets to them well that’s another story)

Having worked with Cuba for many years and a great understanding on how things work in this country, just want people to take care. For if the above gets sanctioned there will be no notice just a ban with huge fines imposed straight away. Now if you have booked and planned a DIY holiday you could find yourself having a great beach holiday but sadly never ever being able to wet a line.

Our advice would be to either book with one of the official operators or choose another country, don’t stand the chance of getting caught and loosing hard earned cash. Holidays should be fun and not stressful.

Regards Peter

That'll help get kids into fishing there eh. Ah well, if I win the lottery maybe I could afford to go fully guided.

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Location - Ospreylia

Yes it is a pitty, Having a few hours fishing while on a family holiday is how a lot of peole get the bug for dedicated fishing holidays.

Its the goverment getting ready for the US market, when the embargo is lifted Cuba is going to be packed.

Regards Peter

Severn Trent Board members get everywhere.

Sounds like a good reason to boycott Cuba and head to other destinations - there are plenty around!
I assume this rule doesn't apply to the locals though?

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Casting At Shadows - Christmas Island Fly Fishing DVD

Thats bad news as i have got two holidays booked for this year already
Cheers Ray.

well let's wait and see if we can get it verified by independent 3rd party sources before people go striking it off the holiday lists or regretting their bookings.

The reason people go for DIY'ing in Cuba is because they can't possibly afford a specialist angling holiday, so a warning from someone in the business of providing those holidays needs to be confirmed by someone without potential bias (and please, no offense meant as I'm sure it's genuinely with the best intention). It would be a terrible shame, so let's just hope that's not the case.

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Fish are like sex; tons around but I never seem to get any.

Yes someone needs to tell the cuban goverment they are going to lose a huge amount of tourists if they let these companys take all the fishing over,as polite says not everyone can pay over the top prices for their days fishing, really ****** im booked up for three weeks august, how can these companys possibly cover all the water around cuba this would be crazy,i take it its the private companys that are pushing for this

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GAIA INSTRUCTOR

agreed with these sentiment folks. just hope it's not true as i've paid for my holiday and bought loads of new gear for it too.

burhan

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I could fish deep into the night
Well past the light
But at the end of the day
It's the end of the day

Burhan

mc_death187@yahoo.com

No way is a total ban on DIY fishing going to cause a huge loss of tourists, and I can't see the Cuban government worrying about the few tourists that such a ban might cause them to lose..... Once the USA lifts its embargo on Cuba, dodgy economy or not, the place is gonna be mobbed, and the likes of "Stitch you right up Avalon" are going to have a field day.....

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Brian G