Lake Erie charter captains face new rules on fishing in Canada (Candapress.com)
"SANDUSKY, Ohio — Lake Erie charter boat captains who venture into Canadian waters to look for fish won't need to phone ahead after all so the U.S. government can run background checks on their passengers. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials also have decided to relax rules on requiring passengers on charter trips to have a passport or two forms of identification. Charter captains who make their living taking people out on fishing excursions are happy with the change of plans.
Customs officials told charter operators in March that they would need to call ahead an hour before they crossed into Canadian waters and provide a passenger list so that the government could conduct background checks.
They also said everyone on the boat would need a a passport or two forms of identification.
Charter captains complained, saying the rules were too cumbersome.
Customs officials decided last week to change their mind and now say U.S. citizens will need only to report if they plan on stopping at a Canadian port, not if they just plan to fish or drop anchor. Proper identification will be needed only if boaters visit a foreign port."