Palau
Oceania · Micronesia
Recreational spearfishing on a single breath (freediving / snorkel) is legal in Palau in open fishing areas, but spearfishing while using SCUBA or any other underwater breathing apparatus is prohibited nationwide under the Marine Protection Act of 1994 (RPPL No. 4-18, Section 4(6)) and reinforced by Koror State law (K4-68-95). No spearfishing or netting is permitted in the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon (a UNESCO World Heritage area), within designated marine protected areas, conservation/preservation/no-take zones, or within 100 yards of named dive and snorkel sites. Several species are protected (e.g. bumphead/humphead parrotfish Bolbometopon muricatum and Napoleon/humphead wrasse Cheilinus undulatus) and closed seasons apply to certain groupers and rabbitfish. Anyone fishing in Koror State needs a fishing permit; non-Palauan citizens may only fish from a registered boat (not from land) and pay higher fees. As of 1 January 2026, Koror State tourist/visitor fishing fees are USD 50 per day.
Diweddarwyd ddiwethaf Mehefin 15, 2026
Fframwaith llywodraethu
- §Marine Protection Act of 1994 (RPPL No. 4-18)
- §Title 27, Palau National Code (Marine and Coastal Resources)
- §Palau National Marine Sanctuary Act (RPPL No. 9-49 of 2015)
- §Koror State Fishing License (Commercial Use) Act, K4-68-95 (1995)
- §Koror State Fishing License Amendment (Non-Commercial Use), K7-138-2003 (2003)
- §Koror State Rock Island Management & Conservation Act, K8-209-2009 (2009)
- §Koror State Prohibit Fishing at Dive and Snorkel Sites, K8-191-2007 (2007)
- §Rock Islands Southern Lagoon Area Management Plan 2012-2016 (Koror State)
- Trwydded yn ofynnol
- Gofynnol
- Gwn gwayw
- Caniatáu
- Sgwba
- Gwaharddedig
- Tramorwyr
- Croeso
Y gyfraith, air am air
Testunau cyfreithiol
Y darpariaethau statudol a rheoleiddiol manwl sy'n llywodraethu pysgota â gwaywffon yma, wedi'u dyfynnu fel y'u cyhoeddwyd, gyda dolen i bob ffynhonnell swyddogol.
Prohibition of fishing with underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA spearfishing ban)
Marine Protection Act of 1994 (RPPL No. 4-18)
Section 4, Prohibited acts. It shall be unlawful for any person within the fishery zones of the Republic to: ... (6) fish while using any form of underwater breathing apparatus other than a snorkel;
Protected juvenile parrotfish and wrasse (size-based prohibition)
Marine Protection Act of 1994 (RPPL No. 4-18)
(2) fish for commercial purposes for, sell, or buy any of the following species: (a) Juvenile parrotfish - Bolbometopon muricatum (Berdebed) which means for purposes of this Act, a parrotfish less than 25 inches in length; and (b) Juvenile wrasse - Cheilinus undulatus (Ngimer) which means for purposes of this Act, a wrasse less than 25 inches in length.
Closed season for groupers (temekai, tiau)
Marine Protection Act of 1994 (RPPL No. 4-18)
(1) fish for commercial purposes for, sell, or buy any of the following species of groupers (temekai, tiau) from April 1 to July 31, inclusive: (a) Plectropomus areolatus (tiau) (b) P. leavis (tiau, katuu'tiau, mokas) (c) P. leopardus (tiau) (d) Epinephelus microdon (ksau'temekai) (e) E. fuscoguttatus (meteungerel'temekai)
Closed season for rabbitfish (Meyas)
Marine Protection Act of 1994 (RPPL No. 4-18)
(4) fish for commercial purposes for, sell or buy rabbitfish (Meyas, Siganus canaliculatus) from March 1 to May 31, inclusive;
Koror State prohibition of spearfishing with compressed gas / breathing apparatus
Koror State Fishing License (Commercial Use) Act, K4-68-95 (1995)
Prohibits: Spear fishing using mechanically compressed gas, air, or other breathing apparatus. Fishing using explosive device, or toxic chemicals, fishing with a net smaller than 3 inches in mesh size, commercial fishing within the reef by foreign partnership or joint venture, drag and drift net fishing except for bait collection, and failure to comply with this Act.
Koror State ban on land-based fishing by non-Palauan citizens
Koror State Fishing License Amendment (Non-Commercial Use), K7-138-2003 (2003)
It shall be unlawful for any non-Palauan citizen to engage in fishing activities of any kind on any land or improvements to land on the island of Koror, and non-Palauan citizens may only engage in fishing activities from a boat or other duly registered watercraft. The term "island of Koror" means the islands of Koror, Malakal and Ngerkebesang, and all islets or land areas connected by road or causeway to Koror, Malakal or to Ngerkebesang island and all fringing reefs joined to such islands and land areas.
Koror State prohibition of fishing at dive and snorkel sites
Koror State Prohibit Fishing at Dive and Snorkel Sites Act, K8-191-2007 (2007)
No one may engage in any fishing activities or possess any fish or fishing gear within 100 yards of the following dive sites: Soft Coral Arch, Cemetery Reef, Ngermeaus, Blue Holes, Blue Corner, Sias Tunnel, Shark City, Ngemelis Wall, Short Drop Off, German Channel, Big Drop Off, German Wall, Virgin Blue Holes.
Pryd gallwch blymio
Tymhorau a chyfyngiadau amser
Cyfnodau caeëdig, agored a chyfyngedig drwy gydol y flwyddyn. Cadarnhewch bob amser gaead rhywogaethau penodol yn lleol.
- Ar gauGroupers: Plectropomus areolatus, P. leavis, P. leopardus, Epinephelus microdon, E. fuscoguttatus (temekai, tiau)Ebr 1 – Gor 31
Marine Protection Act of 1994 (RPPL No. 4-18) Section 4(1): unlawful to fish for commercial purposes for, sell or buy these grouper species from April 1 to July 31 inclusive (spawning-season closure).
- Ar gauRabbitfish (Meyas, Siganus canaliculatus)Maw 1 – Mai 31
Marine Protection Act of 1994 (RPPL No. 4-18) Section 4(4): unlawful to fish for commercial purposes for, sell or buy rabbitfish from March 1 to May 31 inclusive.
Caniatâd i bysgota
Trwydded
Beth sydd ei angen arnoch i gael caniatâd i fod yn y dŵr, faint mae'n ei gostio, a sut i'w chael.
Apply to the Koror State Department of Conservation and Law Enforcement (DCLE); applicants must state the type of fishing, frequency, and whether the catch is for sale or consumption. A separate Rock Island Use Permit (USD 50/10 days) or Jellyfish Lake Permit is required to enter the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon.
Cael eich trwyddedYn agor y porth swyddogol · kororstategov.com
- Math
- Koror State fishing permit (separate from the Rock Island Use / Jellyfish Lake visitor permits). Non-commercial fishing permit for visitors/non-citizens; commercial fishing licence (incl. spear-gun category) for commercial fishers.
- Cost
- Visitors/tourists: USD 50 per day (Koror State, effective 1 January 2026). Historically USD 20 per month / USD 200 per year for non-Palauan non-commercial fishing (K7-138-2003). Non-Palauan residents: USD 50 per month (excluding net fishing). Palauan citizen commercial spear-gun/line category: USD 25 per month. Palauan citizens, children under 13, and spouses of Palauan citizens are exempt from fees.
- Dilysrwydd
- Daily (visitors, from 2026) or monthly/annual depending on category.
- Sut i'w chael
- Apply to the Koror State Department of Conservation and Law Enforcement (DCLE); applicants must state the type of fishing, frequency, and whether the catch is for sale or consumption. A separate Rock Island Use Permit (USD 50/10 days) or Jellyfish Lake Permit is required to enter the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon.
- Awdurdod
- Koror State Department of Conservation and Law Enforcement (DCLE)
Offer a thechneg
Rheolau offer
Pa offer sydd wedi'i ganiatáu, sut y gellir ei ddefnyddio, a'r amodau sydd ynghlwm.
Cyfyngiadau
- Spearfishing permitted only on a single breath (snorkel / freediving); spearfishing while using SCUBA or any underwater breathing apparatus other than a snorkel is prohibited nationwide (Marine Protection Act 1994, Section 4(6); Koror K4-68-95).
- No spearfishing or netting in the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon.
- No fishing/spear gun use within 100 yards of designated dive and snorkel sites in Koror State.
- Explosives and toxic chemicals for fishing are prohibited.
- Spear gun is a licensed commercial fishing category in Koror State (USD 25/month).
The defining national rule for spearfishers is the SCUBA ban: a snorkel is the only permitted breathing aid while spearfishing. This is confirmed by both national law (RPPL 4-18 s.4(6)) and Koror State law (K4-68-95).
Beth y cewch ei gymryd
Terfynau dal a rhywogaethau gwarchodedig
Cwotâu dyddiol, meintiau lleiafswm, a rhywogaethau na ddylid byth eu cymryd.
Terfyn dyddiol
unknown
Meintiau lleiafswm
- Bumphead/humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum, Kemedukl/Berdebed)lleiaf 63.5 cm
- Napoleon/humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus, Ngimer/Maml)lleiaf 63.5 cm
Rhywogaethau gwarchodedig — peidiwch â'u cymryd
- GwarchodedigBumphead/humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) - juveniles (<25 inches) and export protected; adults export-prohibited
- GwarchodedigNapoleon/humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) - juveniles (<25 inches) and export protected; adults export-prohibited
- GwarchodedigSea turtles (incl. hawksbill - protected nesting sites)
- GwarchodedigSharks and rays (Palau is a national shark sanctuary; commercial shark fishing banned in the EEZ)
- GwarchodedigDugong (Dugong dugon, mesekiu)
- GwarchodedigGiant clams (Tridacna gigas, T. squamosa, T. derasa, T. maxima, T. crocea, Hippopus hippopus) - export protected
- GwarchodedigSea cucumbers (black/white teatfish, prickly redfish, surf redfish, sandfish) - export protected
- GwarchodedigCoconut crab (Birgus latro) and mangrove crab (Scylla serrata) - size/berried-female limits
- GwarchodedigRock lobster (cheraprukl) - size and berried-female limits
The 25-inch (approx. 63.5 cm) thresholds for bumphead parrotfish and Napoleon wrasse are defined in the Marine Protection Act 1994 s.4(2) as the boundary between protected juveniles and adults; adults are export-prohibited under s.4(3). General per-angler daily bag limits for recreational spearfishing were not located in retrieved official text.
Pwy sy'n cael pysgota
Ymwelwyr a phreswylwyr
Sut mae'r rheolau'n wahanol ar gyfer ymwelwyr tramor a phreswylwyr lleol.
Ymwelwyr tramor
CaniatáuTrwydded arbennig yn ofynnol
Gofynion
- Obtain a Koror State fishing permit (USD 50 per day for visitors as of 1 January 2026).
- Fish only from a registered boat or watercraft - non-Palauan citizens may NOT fish from land anywhere on Koror, Malakal, Ngerkebesang or connected islets/fringing reefs (K7-138-2003).
- Obtain a Rock Island Use Permit (USD 50 / 10 days) or Jellyfish Lake Permit to enter the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon.
- Observe the national SCUBA spearfishing ban (snorkel only) and all protected species/closed seasons.
Cyfyngiadau
- No spearfishing or netting in the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon.
- No land-based fishing for non-citizens on Koror/Malakal/Ngerkebesang.
- No SCUBA spearfishing anywhere in Palau.
- No fishing within marine protected areas, conservation/no-take zones, or within 100 yards of named dive/snorkel sites.
Rules are primarily enforced at the state level (Koror State holds most of the dive tourism areas). Other states may have their own permit regimes and protected areas.
Preswylwyr
Koror State non-commercial fishing permit (Palauan citizens largely exempt from fees) or commercial fishing licence by category (spear-gun/line USD 25/month).
Gofynion
- Palauan citizens fishing in Koror must still register/obtain a permit and declare fishing type and intended use of catch.
- Comply with the national SCUBA spearfishing ban, protected species and closed seasons.
Manteision
- Palauan citizens, children under 13, and spouses of Palauan citizens are exempt from Koror State fishing fees.
- Subsistence and recreational fishing rights within designated Subsistence/Recreational Fishery Zones of the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon.
Palau operates a national fisher registration system supporting coastal fisheries management; traditional/customary fishing rights are recognised within the management framework.
Ble ar yr arfordir
Parthau caniatáu a gwaharddedig
Ardaloedd penodol sydd ar agor i neu wedi'u cau ar gyfer pysgota â gwaywffon. Gweler y darlun llawn ar y map rhyngweithiol.
Ardaloedd caniatáu
Snorkel/freedive spearfishing with a spear gun is permitted in open fishing areas with a Koror State fishing permit, but not from land for non-Palauan citizens (boat only) and not within protected areas or dive/snorkel sites. SCUBA spearfishing is prohibited everywhere.
Single-breath (snorkel/freedive) only; no underwater breathing apparatus; valid fishing permit required; protected species and closed seasons apply.
Ardaloedd gwaharddedig
- Rock Islands Southern Lagoon (UNESCO World Heritage Area)UNESCO World Heritage marine area / conservation zone
No spearfishing or netting is allowed in the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, a designated conservation/multi-use area managed by Koror State. Visitors require a Rock Island Use Permit or Jellyfish Lake Permit, plus a separate Fishing Permit for any permitted fishing.
- Ngerukewid Islands Wildlife Preserve (Seventy Islands)wildlife preserve / no-entry no-take zone
Palau's first conservation area, established 1956. No-entry, no-take preserve and a critical hawksbill turtle nesting site. Restrictions: No entry, fishing, hunting, or disturbance of any kind.
- Ngerumekaol (Ulong Channel) Spawning Areafish spawning aggregation reserve / no-take zone
Grouper spawning channel protected since a 1976 national law; Koror State closed the area to fishing all year round. Restrictions: No fishing all year round.
- Ngederrak Reservemarine reserve / no-take zone
Inner lagoon, seagrass beds and reef channels; important dugong habitat. Restrictions: No fishing and no motorized boat entry.
- Ngerkebesang Conservation Zoneconservation zone / no-take zone
Conservation zone west of Ngerkebesang Island adjacent to Palau Pacific Resort. Restrictions: No fishing, capturing, netting, destroying or otherwise disturbing any marine flora and fauna.
- Ngkisaol (No Take and No Entry Zone)no-take / no-entry baitfish zone
Protected cove and baitfish (mekebud / blue sprat) aggregation site. Restrictions on taking mekebud, merau and teber around the full moon.
- Designated dive and snorkel sites (Koror State)no-fishing dive/snorkel site buffer (K8-191-2007)
No fishing or possession of fish/fishing gear within 100 yards of named dive sites: Soft Coral Arch, Cemetery Reef, Ngermeaus, Blue Holes, Blue Corner, Sias Tunnel, Shark City, Ngemelis Wall, Short Drop Off, German Channel, Big Drop Off, German Wall, Virgin Blue Holes.
- Palau National Marine Sanctuary - No-Take Zone (80% of EEZ)national marine sanctuary / no-take EEZ reserve
Under the Palau National Marine Sanctuary Act (RPPL No. 9-49 of 2015), approximately 80% of Palau's exclusive economic zone (about 500,000 km2) is a fully protected no-take area from which all extractive activities are prohibited (fully in force from 2020). The remaining 20% is a Domestic Fishing Zone. This is an offshore/EEZ measure rather than a coastal spearfishing rule.
- Blue Corner (no-fishing dive site, Koror State)no-fishing dive/snorkel site buffer (K8-191-2007)
Famous reef-corner dive site on the outer edge of the Ngemelis Reef, Rock Islands. Listed among the dive sites where no fishing or possession of fish/fishing gear is permitted within 100 yards under Koror State Act K8-191-2007.
- German Channel (no-fishing dive site, Koror State)no-fishing dive/snorkel site buffer (K8-191-2007)
Channel cut through the barrier reef near Ngemelis Island, manta cleaning-station dive site in the Rock Islands. Listed among the dive sites where no fishing or possession of fish/fishing gear is permitted within 100 yards under Koror State Act K8-191-2007.
- Blue Holes (no-fishing dive site, Koror State)no-fishing dive/snorkel site buffer (K8-191-2007)
Cavern dive site adjacent to Ngemelis Island, immediately next to Blue Corner in the Rock Islands. Listed among the dive sites where no fishing or possession of fish/fishing gear is permitted within 100 yards under Koror State Act K8-191-2007.
Cyflyrau ar y dŵr
Cyflyrau byw
Cipolwg morol a thywydd byw ger pwynt cyfeirio arfordirol yn Palau, o Open-Meteo. Mae cyflyrau'n amrywio ar hyd yr arfordir — triniwch fel dangosol.
Morol byw a thywydd ger Rock Islands Southern Lagoon (UNESCO World Heritage Area).
Pwy i ofyn iddynt
Awdurdodau
Y cyrff swyddogol sy'n gyfrifol am bysgodfeydd a thrwyddedu.
Koror State Department of Conservation and Law Enforcement (DCLE) / Rangers
state conservation and fisheries enforcement authority
kororstategov.comTel: +680 488-4001 / 488-8738; Rangers Tel: +680 488-2150; email: rica@kororstate.orgPalau Bureau of Marine Resources (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment)
national fisheries authority
palaugov.pwunknownPalau National Marine Sanctuary Office (PNMS)
national marine sanctuary management authority
pnatuna.comunknown
O ble daw hyn
Ffynonellau
Mae pob honiad ar y dudalen hon yn deillio o un o'r cyfeiriadau hyn.
- [01]
Marine Protection Act of 1994 (RPPL No. 4-18) - full text PDF (FAOLEX)
Swyddogolfaolex.fao.orgCyrchwyd Meh 15 - [02]
Marine Protection Act of 1994 - ECOLEX record
Swyddogolecolex.orgCyrchwyd Meh 15 - [03]
Rock Islands Southern Lagoon Area Management Plan 2012-2016 (Koror State Government) - includes summaries of K4-68-95, K7-138-2003, K8-209-2009, K8-191-2007 and protected-area restrictions
Swyddogolrris.biopama.orgCyrchwyd Meh 15 - [04]
Palau National Marine Sanctuary Act (RPPL No. 9-49 of 2015) - ECOLEX record
Swyddogolecolex.orgCyrchwyd Meh 15 - [05]
Koror Passes Fishing Rules With New Licensing and Conservation Measures (effective 1 Jan 2026) - Island Times
Eilraddislandtimes.orgCyrchwyd Meh 15 - [06]
Fishing in Palau as a Tourist: A Guide to Permits and Regulations - Lost Travel Blog
Eilraddlosttraveltips.wordpress.comCyrchwyd Meh 15 - [07]
Palau National Marine Sanctuary - Wikipedia (background)
Eilradden.wikipedia.orgCyrchwyd Meh 15
Nodiadau'r ymchwilydd
Spearfishing in Palau is RESTRICTED, not banned: snorkel/freedive spearfishing is legal in open fishing areas with a permit, but SCUBA spearfishing is prohibited nationwide (Marine Protection Act 1994, RPPL 4-18, s.4(6) - 'fish while using any form of underwater breathing apparatus other than a snorkel'; reinforced by Koror State K4-68-95). Most dive tourism and the strictest rules sit within Koror State, which holds the Rock Islands Southern Lagoon (UNESCO World Heritage; no spearfishing/netting) and numerous no-take/conservation zones. Verbatim national law text was extracted from the official FAOLEX PDF of RPPL 4-18 via pdftotext; verbatim Koror State provisions were extracted from the official Koror State Rock Islands Southern Lagoon Area Management Plan PDF (which reproduces the operative restrictions of each cited state act, K4-68-95 / K7-138-2003 / K8-209-2009 / K8-191-2007). The state act texts are summarised within that official management plan rather than quoted from the standalone ordinance PDFs (which were image-based and not machine-readable at fetch time), so article-level wording for those state acts reflects the plan's operative-restriction language. Coordinates for Rock Islands sites are approximate. Palau is a federation of national + state jurisdictions; this record focuses on national law plus Koror State (the principal dive/spearfishing destination); other states (e.g. Peleliu, Ngarchelong) may add local rules and protected areas not captured here. The Palau National Marine Sanctuary (RPPL 9-49) no-take zone (80% of the EEZ) is an offshore measure, included for completeness.
Hysbysu fi pan fo rheolau Palau yn newid
Byddwn yn anfon e-bost atoch pan fo tymhorau neu reoliadau Palau yn cael eu diweddaru yn ein set ddata.