Bass Tournament moves into Canadian Waters

The world's best bass pros at the Chevy Open in Detroit will be allowed to fish in Canadian waters from July 12-15 to compete for $1.5 million in prizes - most will head for Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. Last October, the U.S. had banned transport of live fish across borders to prevent the spread of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS virus), but now will allow "catch and release" fishing in waters that cross state and international boundaries. Standard procedures for traveling anglers to prevent spreading this horrible disease include thorough cleaning of trailer and boat (including live wells) with a chlorine and water solution. About VHS virus: Wikipedia.org | Fisheries & Oceans Canada | NOAA Fact Sheet

U.S. border crossing changes postponed

Canadians and Americans entering the United States by car or boat won’t need a passport until at least the summer of 2008, U.S. security officials said June 20. With both countries struggling with an avalanche of passport applications, driver’s licences and birth certificates will be accepted at the U.S. border after the original January 2008 date set for requiring passports for land and sea entries to the United States. The House of Representatives has already passed a measure forcing Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to wait until mid-2009 at land and sea crossings. (Rules for entering Canada remain the same.)

NEXUS border program expanded

The NEXUS program is now the best way to frequently cross borders by recreational boat - as well as by car and plane. NEXUS is a joint program of Canada Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that facilitates fast, secure entry into either country for pre-approved, low-risk travellers. Since the NEXUS Air, Highway and Marine programs were combined in December, Canadians can cross the border at participating locations by car, using special lanes, at airports, using self-serve kiosks, and by boat, reporting by phone from 30 minutes to 4 hours prior to expected arrival. All on board must have NEXUS cards in order for the boat to take advantage of NEXUS reporting procedures. [General information about Entering the U.S. by boat]

When entering Canada at a designated Canadian NEXUS sites, the boat master must call the NEXUS Telephone Reporting Centre (TRC) at 1-866-996-3987 (or other centre). If non-NEXUS members are on board, you must arrive at a TRC site and immediately call CBSA at 1-888-226-7277. Only the boat master may leave the boat until authorization is given by the CBSA. [Canadian NEXUS Program (CBSA)]

When entering the U.S., the boat master must arrive at a “Physical Report Site” and call the local CBP reporting telephone number. If a border official is not at the landing site, you may proceed to your intended destination. If non-NEXUS members are on board, follow the same procedure. [U.S. NEXUS Program (CBP)]