Inshore Exclusion Zone (IEZ)

Coastal belt of waters seawards of the low-water line, reserved by section 18(1) of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2018 for artisanal and recreational fisheries (industrial vessels excluded). Commonly described as extending to about 12 nautical miles; the precise outer boundary coordinates are set by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Regulations 2019. Recreational fishing (the category most relevant to spearfishing) is permitted here, subject to licensing under section 14 and to MPA and closed-season restrictions.

Recreational/sport fishing via a vessel requires a licence or authorisation from the Director of Fisheries (Act s.14; Regulations reg.11(1)(a)(iv)); industrial and decked semi-industrial vessels may not fish in the IEZ (reg.4(2)); explosives, poisons, chemicals, firearms, lights and electrical devices are prohibited (Act s.40; Regulations reg.6); sea turtles and immature rays/sharks may not be taken and shark/ray finning is banned (reg.9); MPAs within the zone are off-limits during bans.

Subject to ministerial annual closed-season bans (e.g. April).