Shooting permits: Why it's important to have them.

I have been diving and shooting pictures in Florida for over 40 years, and I never, ever heard of a requirement to have a permit to photograph sea turtles in the water.

Agreed.

Can someone provide a list of those places where permits are needed?

For photographing sea turtles in water, none that I can think of in the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica, Galapagos, Philippines, etc. that even suggest you should have one.

For photographing sea turtles in water, none that I can think of in the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica, Galapagos, Philippines, etc. that even suggest you should have one.

I'll add Maldives and Indonesia.

Somebody better mention some place that requires permits really fast, or we are going to run out of countries.

Thank you for brining this up. I think some try to slide under the radar. And for some it is ignorance to the existence of the need. This is true across the board with photography. It can be extremely frustrating to tell a client you cant shoot at a park because of the cost of a permit requirement (or lack of time to procure one) only to find that they found a different photographer very willing to shoot without one.

Life is much more fun when we all play with the same rules!

This is fascinating. It would have never occurred to me that I needed a permit to do this. Is this region specific or generally a good thing to do everywhere?

This is fascinating. It would have never occurred to me that I needed a permit to do this. Is this region specific or generally a good thing to do everywhere?

Seriously specific I think! I've been diving for more than 20 years all over the world and have never been asked for or even seen a permit.

So far, no one has named even one country that has such permits.

So to get things started:

Commercial filming of whale sharks in Mexico requires a permit.

Taking pictures and interacting with whales in Sri Lanka requires permits.

Taking pictures and interacting with whales in the Azores requires permits.

Taking pictures of sperm whales in Dominica requires permits.

Some whale photography requires permits in South Africa (species dependent).

Some whale photography requires permits in Argentina (species dependent).

"Professional" photography of manatees in Florida requires permits.

I'm sure there are lots more!

Adam

Thanks Adam. You live and learn. Obviously I've not done any of them!

This is a tricky one as I think in some areas it really would be a good idea , however would they really prevent that much damage? I really think things do need to be controlled a bit more from some of the things I've seen underwater.

Couldn't agree more! I think the general attitude to skirt rules can be applied away from the diving aspect too. Having spent time in a lot of other countries, being disrespectful to culture in general can get you in a lot of hot water. 

I actually do not disagree with permits.  Too many disrespectful yahoo's are harassing the cetaceans and other wildlife to get their darned selfies.  I was completely and utterly disappointed at the flailing hoards of people in Tahiti. The boat operators worked together but at the same time they worked together, I am sure you can figure out why I made that statement. Limiting people to access by permit is good, just don't get carried away with the fees.....

Drew,

Thank you for the info. I had no idea that such permits would be needed, but it does make total sense! I don’t shoot outside the U.S. that often, so I have never run into this. I will definitely inquire on future trips abroad. I think the last thing we need to do is be poor ambassadors of our craft or trade.

Hello all divers and photographers. Anybody heard about shooting permits at Malapascua Island / Philiphines ? 

None required at Malapascua or anywhere else in the Philippines, just a daily dive pass which usually costs about USD 5.  

Agree! 

Is the tax that is charged at the airport for bringing underwater photo gear into Western parts of Mexico considered a similar thing to the above shooting permit?  It is not always charged so I have wondered if it is a local scam or is it in lieu of a shooting permit?  Thanks

Sounds choking but in other countries certain operators use "scientific" permits  for  specific cetaceans to organise paid photo trips ....  

Thanks for the heads up, I have been diving for about 20 years and never once heard about needing a permit to shoot photos underwater. A permit to access certain areas, sure, but never to actually photograph. I spent three months each year in the Philippines diving, so I guess I need to look into this if I go to a new area… or just ask the dive shop when I visit a new spot. On second thought, that would probably be a lot easier.

Photographing Whale Sharks at Gladden Split, Belize requires a permit. Belize also requires a permit for any commercial photo shoots for underwater photography / videography. All drone photography also requires a permit.