Can You Bring Fish from Mexico

[jwhockey23]

Has anyone brought back any fish or corals from Mexico or anywhere, and what do you have to do to bring them back. I just got back from Cozumel about a week ago and was very tempted to bring some stuff back but I didnt know the laws, there was all kinds of stuff I could of caught with a small net in these tidal pools by my hotel, there were carribean blue tangs, french angels, tons of different damsels like sgt. majors, a bunch of different gobies, coral banded shrimp, tons of snails and blue leg hermits, and there were some big corals on the side of the pier right there like brains, leathers, and some types of sps. I did manage to bring back a bag of about 100 snails with me, some nirites, magaritas, and a couple of abalones (they are really hard to get off the rocks). I am going back again next year so I would like to know how I could bring some back if anyone knows. Thank You

 

[capncapo]

If I'm not mistaken, last time I was in Cozumel and asked I was told that everything was protected.

Since I had no desire to spend time in a Mexican jail I decided that maybe I didn't need to bring anything back except pictures.

 

[trottman]

I brought back some sps and zoos. look at the thread "I am Alive".

I got these from un-protected waters. But it is very illegal to bring coral/fish over the boarder through customs. You can only bring specific plants and fruits through with special permission.

you probably need to get some type of license to bring bakc fish.

One of the X-ray machines coming back into the US is specifically deigned to show living matter.

 

[levon15]

And your corals got back how exactly? Did you carry them on your person somewhere? I can only imagine where this thread goes from here......

Odds
27% - Shut down for illegal conversation
71% - Trottie bashing in fun
2% - the unknown

 

[latazyo]

I am assuming he had to check them since he undoubtedly had more than 3 ounces of water in the bags

 

[DrBDC]

Not with the moist towel method. Some early trials have shown better outcomes even with sps. There were a few articles on it about a year ago but I haven't heard much talk about it since.

 

[zt444a]

I'd be interested to know what you find out...

 

[trottman]

i did the mosit towel method in ziplock bags. during the x ray- coming back into the us they were in my brothers cargo pants. They all survived fine. the worst thing that will probably happen at the airport, is they will get confiscated.

it is taking them from the reef that you have to be careful. you go to mexican prison if you do it on a protected reef.

 

[Letmegrow]

I think the fine could be up $92,000 and that is not pesos were are talkin' bout'.

Usually they will just ask you what you have and if you are honest about what you have and what you know about the coral or invert - in that case indeed the worst thing they will do is throw it away.

When you take something in excess and or you take something huge is when they will bring the hammer down.

Just get some nice paper towels and dunk them in NSW and wrap the coral, crab, snail, invert ect in three towels and put in a ziplock bag or something that will not leak, I would use a couple plastic bags and tie the end off in a knot.

I would not make it look like 30 grams of coke or heroin tho !!!

 

[levon15]

Is it really worth sweating through customs or $92,000 for a few frags. I dont really think any of the risk is worth the reward. Plus your removing from nature when we as hobbiests are always promoting saving the reefs.

I am confused why people are always asking what the can bring back. I dont see it really being worth the hassle or risk.

 

[Glove]

Better yet, just leave the stuff there.

 

[scbadiver]

Capo is very correct about Cozumel. The entire area is a protected reef and they are very serious about it. The dive masters will actually put you back on the boat if they see you touching stuff you shouldn't during a dive. Take only pictures and leave no trace behind. I wouldn't risk picking up anything down there. Mexican jails can not be fun.

 

[jdieck]

Schadiver is right. All marine life on the Mexican Caribean coast is protected.
Also large areas in the pacific coast and the Sea of Cortez in Baja specially around Los Cabos.

 

[scubabill]

Leave the stuff there . I want to enjoy it when i go on vacation. I f everybody that dove took a peace nothing would be left.