Americans cannot fish without one, but to get one in the US you can go to a local retailer (Walmart, Tackle shop, Bait store , Marina, Basspro, Gas station) to get it, you do not have to go to the Island administrator, or fisheries office that is open the third Wed of the month from 12:00 to 1:00 but they have lunch from 12:15 to 12:45 and it takes 20 min to process, or do not have the license on hand and tell you come back . It is easy to get a license in the US, here it is a Giant mess

What is someone who does not use a provider supposed to do? What do persons who do not use a Travel site or booking agency do to get a license? How is a Captain/Guide supposed to know what name to put on the license when they buy one to have on hand, since the license must be in the specific anglers name, and Guides are not authorized to sell license. And "Just take cash." Really? I mean there is absolutely no chance of someone pocketing money.
Fly fishermen fish almost exclusively Catch and release, so please explain over fishing when no fish is removed. Locals don't have boats to go out far for fish? Where do you live? On the Family Islands many still make their living off of the sea. They have boats, some of them have 3 and 4 boats for different places.
If you read the law, the Lodges are the only ones who will have access to the Flats, not the Do it Yourself fishermen, or even Bahamians must have a Guide to access flats. So what do people in communities like Cherokee Sound who live on a flat do? Their is no access to water that is not a flat from the community, The law as written says that 2 or more are not allowed in a boat without a guide. Having fishing gear on board just leaving the dock is illegal for those people, so how does that make any sense? This law punishes Bahamians so just a handful of guides will have access to money.
It is not the License mandate that is keeping visitors away, most love that money to enforce laws and promote conservation are being gathered. It is the inability to get the license in a timely convenient manner. They do not mind no take areas where no fish are allowed to be removed, that is good for conservation. They do not like spending money for a license the cannot get, and once they have it have no place they can use it. Bahamian guides with any sense do not like the law because they have seen the 40% drop in bookings from last year. When they call the clients who have been visiting the past 15 to 20yrs to ask why, the law is blamed. A smart guide does not mind the DIY angler, because they typically pay for a guide for a few trips each visit, and pump thousands into the local economy.
This law was broken before it was passed, it was written to only bennife to a few select individuals, not guides, not lodges, individuals. Follow the money trails as to who gets paid for guide training, who gets the money collected for conservation, Who gets the money for Education and research? it all goes into the same 1 or 2 pockets.