Iran
Asia · Southern Asia
There is no Iranian statute that explicitly authorises recreational spearfishing (underwater hunting with a speargun/harpoon), and no civilian recreational spearfishing licence regime exists. Iranian fisheries law is built around licensed commercial and artisanal fishing only. Under the Law of Protection and Exploitation of the Fisheries Resources of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1995, Art. 6) no natural or juridical person may exploit fisheries resources without a valid licence issued by the Iranian Fisheries Organization (Shilat), and Article 12 prohibits carrying and applying 'illegal fishing gears'. The older Temporary Regulations of 1973 (Art. 19) state that 'sport fishing should be done according to Shilat Jonoub's rules' and list only authorised gears (nets, traps, hooks, personal gear such as Mashk and Salik); spearguns/harpoons are not among the listed authorised gears, and Article 32 bans catching with explosives, chemicals or poisons. Foreign nationals are barred from fishing operations in Iranian waters except under contract/agreement (1973 Art. 8; 1995 Art. 13). In practice underwater hunting is widely understood to be not permitted for tourists/recreational divers, and scuba/diving activity is concentrated at organised dive centres (Kish, Qeshm) focused on coral reef sightseeing rather than spearfishing. Several marine protected areas (national marine parks, wildlife refuges, the Hara biosphere reserve) restrict or prohibit fishing/extraction under the Department of Environment. Treat spearfishing as restricted/effectively not permitted absent specific authorisation from Shilat and the relevant island/free-zone authority; verify locally before any attempt.
Última actualització Juny 14, 2026
Marc normatiu aplicable
- §Law of Protection and Exploitation of the Fisheries Resources of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1995; confirmed by the Guardian Council 22.6.1374 AH)
- §Temporary Regulations for the catching of fish, shrimp and other sea animals in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and all rivers of southern parts of Iran (1973)
- §Law on the Maritime Areas of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea (1993/1994)
- Llicència obligatòria
- Obligatori
- Estrangers
- No permès
La llei, literalment
Textos legals
Les disposicions legals i reglamentàries exactes que regulen la pesca submarina aquí, citades tal com es publiquen, amb un enllaç a cada font oficial.
Licence required for any exploitation of fisheries resources
Law of Protection and Exploitation of the Fisheries Resources of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1995)
Article 6. No natural or juridical entity is authorized to exploit fisheries resources of the waters subject to article 2 of the present law unless the valid license had already been obtained. Terms of issuance, suspension, cancellation, validity period, extension, full or partial transfer of license and tariff rate of fishing vessel are subject to the executive Code of Conduct of the present law.
Prohibition of illegal fishing gears and explosive/toxic/electric materials
Law of Protection and Exploitation of the Fisheries Resources of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1995)
Article 12. Carrying and applying illegal fishing gears and also explosive, toxic and or electric materials which may cause to weakeness, illness and or mortality of fish are prohibited.
Foreign fishing vessels forbidden absent mutual agreement
Law of Protection and Exploitation of the Fisheries Resources of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1995)
Article 13. Foreign fishing vessels are forbidden to fish in the waters subject of article 2 of the present law unless there is a mutual agreement between the government of the I.R. of Iran and the flag state.
Penalties for fishing without the required licence
Law of Protection and Exploitation of the Fisheries Resources of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1995)
Article 22. A. Any foreign fishing vessel which operates on fishing activities in the waters subject of article 2 of the present Law without obtaining the required license shall be convicted to the payment of from two to one hundred million rials cash penalty and confiscation of the catch. In addition, the court may confiscate the fishing vessel, fishing gears, and any other equipments on board of the vessel. B. Criminals of the following crimes: 1. Fishing operations by the Iranians without obtaining the required license determined in the present Law, 2. Illegal transfer of catch from the vessel to an unauthorized vessel ...
Fishing licence mandatory for all fishermen
Temporary Regulations for the catching of fish, shrimp and other sea animals in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and all rivers of southern parts of Iran (1973)
ARTICLE 3 - All of the fishermen mentioned in Article 2 should have fishing license issued by Shilat Jonoub Iran. Request for fishing license should be made either from Shilat Jonoub Iran's main office or it's branches at the southern ports of Iran.
Foreign nationals and vessels barred from fishing operations
Temporary Regulations for the catching of fish, shrimp and other sea animals in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and all rivers of southern parts of Iran (1973)
ARTICLE 8 - Except the cases that some contracts and agreements had been signed with the foreign countries or foreign firms for the fishery exploitation in the southern waters of Iran, the foreign fishing vessels or boats, and persons having foreign nationality cannot be engaged to fishing operations in the Iranian waters.
Authorised gears and sport fishing rule
Temporary Regulations for the catching of fish, shrimp and other sea animals in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and all rivers of southern parts of Iran (1973)
ARTICLE 19 - Personal gear including Mashk, Salik and sport gear. A- Mashk is used for the coastal and river fishing. The minimum size to be 20 mm. B- The sport fishing should be done according to Shilat Jonoub's rules.
Prohibition of fishing with explosives, chemicals or poisons
Temporary Regulations for the catching of fish, shrimp and other sea animals in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and all rivers of southern parts of Iran (1973)
ARTICLE 32 - Catch of fish and shrimp and other sea life with explosives, chemicals or poisoneous materials is prohibited in the Persian Gulf or the Sea of Oman and all of the rivers entering these seas in Iran.
Prohibited areas: river mouths, spawning and nursery grounds
Temporary Regulations for the catching of fish, shrimp and other sea animals in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and all rivers of southern parts of Iran (1973)
ARTICLE 27 - Fishing is prohibited in the mouth of all the rivers in Iran that enter the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman. ARTICLE 28 - Catch of fish and shrimp and other sea life is prohibited in the spawning areas. The limits of these areas will be indicated later. ARTICLE 29 - Catch of all species of fish and shrimp is prohibited in Gheshm, Khomair and other main coasts of the Persian Gulf which are the nursery areas for immature shrimp.
Prohibited (closed) seasons for sardine and shrimp
Temporary Regulations for the catching of fish, shrimp and other sea animals in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and all rivers of southern parts of Iran (1973)
ARTICLE 30 - Catch of Sardine (Hashineh) is prohibited in the spawning season from 21st of April to 21st of June in Bandar Abbas area. ARTICLE 31 - Catch of shrimp is prohibited in the spawning season 21st of April to 6th of July in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman.
Quan podeu bussejar
Temporades i restriccions horàries
Períodes tancats, oberts i restringits al llarg de l'any. Confirmeu sempre localment els tancaments per espècie.
- TancatSardine (Hashineh) in the Bandar Abbas areaAbr 21 – Jun 21
Catch of sardine prohibited during the spawning season from 21 April to 21 June in the Bandar Abbas area (1973 Temporary Regulations, Article 30).
- TancatShrimp in the Persian Gulf and Sea of OmanAbr 21 – Jul 6
Catch of shrimp prohibited during the spawning season from 21 April to 6 July across the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman (1973 Temporary Regulations, Article 31). Note: the seasonal shrimp opening dates are reviewed and announced annually by Shilat and vary by year/province; this 1973 window is the codified baseline.
Permís per pescar
Llicència
Què necessiteu per poder estar a l'aigua, quant costa i com obtenir-ho.
Application to Shilat (Iranian Fisheries Organization) head office or its branches at southern ports (per 1973 Art. 3); under the 1995 Law, Art. 6, a valid licence is mandatory for any exploitation of fisheries resources.
Obteniu la vostra llicènciaObre el portal oficial · fao.org
- Tipus
- Fishing licence issued by the Iranian Fisheries Organization (Shilat); no dedicated recreational spearfishing licence exists.
- Cost
- unknown
- Validesa
- Set by the executive Code of Conduct of the 1995 Law (issuance, validity period, extension and transfer terms determined by Shilat).
- Com obtenir-la
- Application to Shilat (Iranian Fisheries Organization) head office or its branches at southern ports (per 1973 Art. 3); under the 1995 Law, Art. 6, a valid licence is mandatory for any exploitation of fisheries resources.
- Autoritat
- Iranian Fisheries Organization (Shilat)
Equip i tècnica
Normes d'equipament
Quin equip és permès, com s'ha d'utilitzar i les condicions aplicables.
Restriccions
- 1995 Law Art. 12 prohibits carrying and applying 'illegal fishing gears' as well as explosive, toxic or electric materials that may weaken, sicken or kill fish.
- 1973 Regulations Art. 32 prohibit catching fish/shrimp/other sea life with explosives, chemicals or poisonous materials.
- 1973 Regulations Chapter 7 (Arts 14-23) enumerate authorised gears (fixed/drift nets, traps such as Gargoor/Milan/Sokar, hooks, personal gear Mashk/Salik and 'sport gear'); spearguns/harpoons are not listed among authorised gears, and sport fishing must follow Shilat's rules (Art. 19B).
Iranian fisheries law neither expressly authorises nor expressly bans spearguns/harpoons; because all gear must be authorised and sport fishing must conform to Shilat's rules, recreational spearfishing gear is best treated as not permitted unless specifically authorised. Spearguns are not commonly sold or supported by Iranian dive centres, which focus on reef sightseeing.
Què podeu capturar
Límits de captures i espècies protegides
Quotes diàries, mides mínimes i espècies que mai no es poden capturar.
Límit diari
unknown
Mides mínimes
- Sardinemín. 13 cm
- Havoormín. 67 cm
- Zardehmín. 62 cm
- Masghatimín. 58 cm
Espècies protegides — no capturar
- ProtegitSea turtles (protected under Department of Environment regulations; nesting in protected mangrove/marine reserves)
- ProtegitMarine mammals (cetaceans)
Minimum catch sizes from the 1973 Temporary Regulations (Arts 24-25): Sardine 13 cm; Havoor 67, Zardeh 62, Masghati 58 (units stated as length, cm). Shrimp minimum catch sizes (Art. 26) vary by port: Bandar Abbas 10 cm, Ra's-ol Motaf 12 cm, Hendijan 14 cm. These size limits target commercial/artisanal species and are not spearfishing-specific. Protected species and detailed recreational bag limits are governed by the Department of Environment and annual Shilat notices and were not fully retrievable.
Qui pot pescar
Visitants i residents
Com difereixen les normes per als visitants estrangers i els residents locals.
Visitants estrangers
No permèsCal llicència especial
Requisits
- Fishing operations by foreign nationals/vessels are only possible under a contract or mutual agreement (1973 Art. 8; 1995 Art. 13).
- Any recreational diving in protected areas requires permits and adherence to local rules.
Restriccions
- Persons of foreign nationality 'cannot be engaged to fishing operations in the Iranian waters' except under signed contracts/agreements (1973 Art. 8).
- Foreign fishing vessels are forbidden to fish in Iranian waters absent a mutual government-to-government agreement (1995 Art. 13).
There is no recreational/tourist spearfishing permit pathway for foreigners. Foreigners engaging in fishing without authorisation are exposed to penalties under 1995 Law Art. 22 (fines, confiscation of catch, gear and vessel). Tourist activity is limited to organised scuba diving for sightseeing at dive centres (e.g. Kish, Qeshm).
Residents
Shilat fishing licence (commercial/artisanal categories per 1973 Art. 2: free fishermen, hired crew, cooperative members, tenant fishermen, Shilat special fishermen, and Iranian/foreign legal persons under permit/contract).
Requisits
- Hold a valid fishing licence issued by Shilat (1973 Art. 3; 1995 Art. 6).
- Register and number any fishing vessel/boat with Shilat (1973 Arts 4-5).
- Use only authorised gears and observe size limits, closed seasons and prohibited areas.
No specific recreational spearfishing licence category exists for residents; the licensing scheme is oriented to commercial and artisanal fishing under Shilat.
On a la costa
Zones permeses i prohibides
Àrees nominades obertes o tancades per a la pesca submarina. Veieu el panorama complet al mapa interactiu.
Àrees prohibides
Fishing prohibited at the mouth of all rivers entering the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman (1973 Temporary Regulations, Article 27).
- Qeshm (Gheshm), Khomair and adjacent main Persian Gulf coasts - shrimp nursery groundsnursery / fishery closure
Catch of all species of fish and shrimp prohibited in these areas as nursery grounds for immature shrimp (1973 Temporary Regulations, Article 29).
- Hara (Mangrove) Coastal Marine Protected Area / Biosphere Reserve, Qeshmmarine protected area / biosphere reserve
Largest mangrove ecosystem in the Middle East; designated protected area and UNESCO biosphere reserve where commercial use is restricted to regulated shrimp fishing, tourist boat trips and limited mangrove cutting; extraction otherwise restricted under the Department of Environment.
- Nayband National Marine Park, Bushehrnational marine park
National marine park in the south of Bushehr province protecting coral, sandy and forest beaches and rare marine species; managed by the Department of Environment as a protected area.
- Deyr-Nakhilou National Park / Khark and Kharko islands area, Bushehrnational park / wildlife refuge
Part of a cluster of protected marine and coastal areas (including Khark Wildlife Refuge and Kharko National Natural Monument) managed by the Department of Environment in Bushehr province, with restricted use.
- Mond Protected Area (Mond River Delta), Bushehrprotected area / wildlife refuge
Coastal/marine protected area on the Mond River delta SW of Bushehr, protected since 1976 under Iran's Department of Environment, covering ~53,227 ha along the Bordkhun/Deyr coast of the Persian Gulf. The Dayer-Nakhiloo Marine National Park (2008) sits within its eastern part. Extraction is restricted under DoE rules. Representative center placed on the Mond delta coast near Bordkhun, Deyr County.
- Kharko (Kharku) Wildlife Refuge, Bushehrwildlife refuge / national natural monument
Island wildlife refuge (~312 ha) NW of Bushehr near Khark, designated 1975 with IUCN category IV; protects migratory birds, dolphins and sea turtles under the Department of Environment, with restricted use.
Khark/Kharg Island in the northeastern Persian Gulf (~25 km off the Iranian coast) is Iran's principal crude-oil export terminal and a tightly restricted IRGC-controlled military area ('Forbidden Island'), with coastal missile, radar and naval fast-attack assets. Entry and any in-water/diving activity are restricted to those with official security clearance, so spearfishing in its surrounding waters is effectively prohibited.
Condicions a l'aigua
Condicions en directe
Instantània marina i meteorològica en directe prop d'un punt de referència costaner de Iran, de Open-Meteo. Les condicions varien al llarg de la costa — tracteu-ho com a indicatiu.
Marina i meteorologia en directe prop de Qeshm (Gheshm), Khomair and adjacent main Persian Gulf coasts - shrimp nursery grounds.
A qui preguntar
Autoritats
Els organismes oficials responsables de la pesca i les llicències.
Iranian Fisheries Organization (Shilat / Shilat-e Iran)
fisheries authority
fao.orgHead office and branch offices at southern ports of Iran (per 1973 Regulations, Art. 3)Department of Environment of the Islamic Republic of Iran (DoE)
environment authority
doe.irManages national marine parks, wildlife refuges and protected/biosphere areas (e.g. Hara, Nayband, Khark)Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran (PMO)
maritime authority
pmo.irVessel registration and maritime affairs
D'on prové aquesta informació
Fonts
Cada afirmació d'aquesta pàgina es remunta a una d'aquestes referències.
- [01]
Law of Protection and Exploitation of the Fisheries Resources of the Islamic Republic of Iran (1995) - full English text (FAOLEX PDF)
Oficialfaolex.fao.orgConsultat el Jun 14 - [02]
Law of Protection and Exploitation of the Fisheries Resources of the Islamic Republic of Iran - ECOLEX record (LEX-FAOC016944)
Oficialecolex.orgConsultat el Jun 14 - [03]
Temporary Regulations for the catching of fish, shrimp and other sea animals in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and all rivers of southern parts of Iran (1973) - full English text (FAOLEX PDF)
Oficialfaolex.fao.orgConsultat el Jun 14 - [04]
Temporary Regulations ... Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman - ECOLEX record (LEX-FAOC001661)
Oficialecolex.orgConsultat el Jun 14 - [05]
Law on the Exploitation and Protection of Aquatic Resources of Iran - FAOLEX record (LEX-FAOC001671)
Oficialfao.orgConsultat el Jun 14 - [06]
Investigating Iranian Fishing Rules in the Realm of Persian Gulf and Oman Sea (academic analysis of Iranian fisheries law and licensing)
Secundariacademia.eduConsultat el Jun 14 - [07]
Assessing cultural ecosystem services in the Hara mangrove forests - a Middle Eastern coastal marine protected area (ScienceDirect)
Secundarisciencedirect.comConsultat el Jun 14 - [08]
Nayband National Marine Park - Iran Travel Guide (protected marine areas of Bushehr province)
Secundaritripyar.comConsultat el Jun 14 - [09]
Scuba and Diving / Iran - Iran Traveling Center (diving permits in protected areas, marine conservation guidance)
communityirantravelingcenter.comConsultat el Jun 14
Notes de l'investigador
ASSESSMENT: Iranian law does not mention spearfishing/underwater hunting by name. The governing instruments (1995 Law of Protection and Exploitation of Fisheries Resources; 1973 Temporary Regulations) build a licence-only commercial/artisanal fishing regime under Shilat (the Iranian Fisheries Organization). Key implications for recreational spearfishing: (1) any exploitation of fisheries resources requires a valid Shilat licence (1995 Art. 6); (2) 'illegal fishing gears' and explosive/toxic/electric materials are banned (1995 Art. 12; 1973 Art. 32); (3) authorised gears are enumerated (nets, traps, hooks, personal gear Mashk/Salik, 'sport gear') and sport fishing must follow Shilat's rules (1973 Art. 19) - spearguns/harpoons are not listed; (4) foreigners cannot engage in fishing operations except under contract/agreement (1973 Art. 8; 1995 Art. 13) and face penalties for unlicensed fishing (1995 Art. 22). There is no public recreational spearfishing licence pathway. Status therefore classified as 'restricted' (effectively not permitted without specific authorisation). CONFIDENCE = low because no Iranian source explicitly addresses recreational spearfishing legality, the verbatim statutes are English FAOLEX translations of older instruments, and current Department of Environment marine-park rules and annual Shilat notices were not retrievable in full. CAVEAT (legal product): all law_texts are verbatim English translations extracted from the official FAOLEX PDFs (ira16944E.pdf and ira1661E.pdf) via local text extraction; minor OCR/translation artefacts in the source PDFs were cleaned only where unambiguous. Verify with Shilat and the relevant island/free-zone and DoE authorities before any spearfishing activity. Note the ongoing regional security situation (military zones in the Persian Gulf/Strait of Hormuz) adds further practical and legal restrictions on coastal diving and underwater activity.
Notifiqueu-me quan canviïn les normes de Iran
Us enviarem un correu quan les temporades o normatives de Iran s'actualitzin en el nostre conjunt de dades.