Burundi
Africa · Eastern Africa
Burundi is landlocked; all fishing is freshwater, dominated by Lake Tanganyika and inland lakes/rivers. Fishing is governed by Law No. 1/17 of 30 November 2016 on the organisation of fishing and aquaculture. The law recognises 'recreational/sport fishing' (peche sportive) as a category (Art. 4) and allows it to be practised freely within limits fixed by ministerial ordinance (Art. 32). Spearfishing / harpoon / speargun (peche au harpon / fusil sous-marin) is NOT named or specifically authorised anywhere in the law, and is not in the list of explicitly prohibited gear or methods (Art. 37-39). It therefore falls in a grey area: recreational fishing is permitted, but the specific use of an underwater speargun is unregulated and unaddressed. The law does prohibit attracting fish with underwater lights (Art. 38.6), electrocution/stunning gear (Art. 38.7), explosives (Art. 38.8) and toxic substances (Art. 38.2). A regional annual closed season applies to Lake Tanganyika (15 May to 15 August). Classified as 'restricted' because recreational fishing is allowed but subject to seasonal closures, protected-area exclusions and species protections, while spearfishing itself is not expressly permitted.
Sidst opdateret Maj 15, 2024
Overordnet lovramme
- §Loi n 1/17 du 30 novembre 2016 portant organisation de la peche et de l'aquaculture au Burundi
- §Lake Tanganyika regional closed season (15 May - 15 August) coordinated via the Lake Tanganyika Authority / 2003 Convention on the Sustainable Management of Lake Tanganyika
- Licens påkrævet
- Påkrævet
- Udlændinge
- Velkommen
Loven, ordret
Lovtekster
De præcise lovbestemmelser og reguleringsforskrifter, der regulerer harpunfiskeri her, citeret som offentliggjort, med et link til hver officiel kilde.
Types of fishing (sport/recreational fishing recognised)
Loi n 1/17 du 30 novembre 2016 portant organisation de la peche et de l'aquaculture au Burundi
Les differents types de peche sont : - la peche de subsistance ; - la peche coutumiere ; - la peche artisanale ; - la peche sportive ; - la peche industrielle ; - la peche scientifique ; - la peche de poissons d'aquarium; - la peche professionnelle.
Definition of sport (recreational) fishing
Loi n 1/17 du 30 novembre 2016 portant organisation de la peche et de l'aquaculture au Burundi
Peche sportive : activite de peche pratiquee a des fins recreatives et ne donnant pas lieu a la vente des captures ;
Sport and subsistence fishing may be practised freely within ministerial limits
Loi n 1/17 du 30 novembre 2016 portant organisation de la peche et de l'aquaculture au Burundi
La peche de subsistance et la peche sportive peuvent s'exercer librement dans les limites fixees par ordonnance du Ministre ayant la peche dans ses attributions.
Minister's power to set closed seasons, prohibited zones, gear and minimum sizes
Loi n 1/17 du 30 novembre 2016 portant organisation de la peche et de l'aquaculture au Burundi
Le Ministre fixe pour toute ou partie des eaux burundaises : 1 Les periodes, les saisons, les heures pendant lesquelles la peche de toutes ou certaines especes est interdite ; 2 Les zones ou la peche est interdite soit a titre temporaire, soit de maniere permanente ainsi que les zones dans lesquelles ou les periodes pendant lesquelles certaines techniques de peche sont interdites ; 3 Les dimensions au-dessous desquelles la capture de certains organismes aquatiques est interdite ; 4 Les caracteristiques des embarcations, engins et instruments de peche dont l'usage est autorise, les dimensions minimales des mailles des filets ou des interstices des nasses et la facon de les mesurer ; 5 Les engins de peche dont l'usage est interdit ou limite, les substances, les procedes et les modes de peche prohibes; 6 Le volume des captures autorisees pour certaines especes et, le cas echeant, les conditions de capture.
Prohibited fishing gear (nets, lines)
Loi n 1/17 du 30 novembre 2016 portant organisation de la peche et de l'aquaculture au Burundi
Nul ne peut utiliser, permettre l'utilisation, tenter d'utiliser ou prendre a bord d'un bateau: 1 Une senne de plage ; 2 Un filet mono filament; 3 Un filet moustiquaire; 4 Tout filet de Ndagala modifie ayant une maille de moins de 10mm de diagonale etiree ; 5 Une senne tournante dont la maille est inferieure a 10mm de diagonale etiree ou autre plus longue ; 6 Un filet a la frappe denomme Mutobi ou Umutimbo dont la maille est inferieure a 8mm de diagonale etiree ; 7 Un filet maillant dont la maille etiree est inferieure a 76,2 mm de diagonale et dont la longueur ne depasse pas 1000 m et la profondeur 5 m ; 8 Un filet carrelet dont la maille etiree est inferieure a 6 mm de cote et moins de 5 mm de maille etiree au niveau de la poche ; 9 Une peche a la ligne ou a la palangre utilisant des hamecons superieurs a la taille inferieure au n10.
Prohibited fishing methods (underwater lights, electrocution, explosives, toxics)
Loi n 1/17 du 30 novembre 2016 portant organisation de la peche et de l'aquaculture au Burundi
Il est interdit a toute personne de: 1 Frapper l'eau par quelque moyen que ce soit a des fins de pousser le poisson a entrer dans l'engin de peche ; 2 Utiliser pour tuer, assommer ou faire peur au poisson des substances chimiques ou naturelles nocives ou tout autre moyen pour le capturer facilement ; 3 Superposer ou combiner des filets maillants qui, en tout, depassent 1000m au maximum les dimensions d'un filet autorise s'il etait utilise seul; 4 Utiliser un engin de dragage qui detruit le lit du lac ou autre environnement aquatique; 5 Utiliser un groupe electrogene sur les pirogues en vue de creer une lumiere qui attire le poisson; 6 Utiliser des lumieres sous-marines pour attirer le poisson ; 7 Utiliser du materiel qui assomme ou electrocute le poisson ; 8 Utiliser des explosifs.
Permanently protected species (aquatic mammals, turtles, aquatic birds)
Loi n 1/17 du 30 novembre 2016 portant organisation de la peche et de l'aquaculture au Burundi
Sont interdites en tous temps et en tous lieux : 1 La peche, la detention et la commercialisation de toutes les especes de mammiferes aquatiques ; 2 La peche, la capture, la detention et la commercialisation de toutes les especes de tortues aquatiques ; 3 La chasse, la capture, la detention et la commercialisation de toutes les especes d'oiseaux aquatiques.
Ban on fishing in spawning zones and on taking juveniles
Loi n 1/17 du 30 novembre 2016 portant organisation de la peche et de l'aquaculture au Burundi
Il est interdit de pratiquer la peche dans les zones de frayere ou de detruire les alevins et les juveniles de toutes les especes dans les eaux territoriales burundaises. Une ordonnance determine les zones de frayere et leur delimitation geographique. L'ordonnance peut etre completee, le cas echeant, par une reglementation locale.
Professional fishing reserved to nationals and resident foreigners; licence required
Loi n 1/17 du 30 novembre 2016 portant organisation de la peche et de l'aquaculture au Burundi
Article 23: La peche professionnelle est reservee aux nationaux et aux etrangers residents. Sont toutefois admises a pecher dans les eaux burundaises : 1 Les personnes physiques ou morales etrangeres beneficiant d'un droit d'acces en vertu d'un accord entre le Burundi et l'Etat dont elles sont ressortissantes ; 2 Les personnes physiques ou morales etrangeres qui, compte tenu des circonstances locales particulieres, ont obtenu une autorisation speciale du Ministre ayant la peche dans ses attributions. Article 24: L'exercice de la peche professionnelle est soumis a l'obtention d'une licence de peche delivree par le Ministre ayant la peche dans ses attributions.
Higher fishing-licence fee for foreigners than for Burundian citizens
Loi n 1/17 du 30 novembre 2016 portant organisation de la peche et de l'aquaculture au Burundi
La redevance d'une licence de peche pour un etranger doit etre d'un montant superieur a celui d'un citoyen burundais.
Penalty for fishing without authorisation or during a closed period
Loi n 1/17 du 30 novembre 2016 portant organisation de la peche et de l'aquaculture au Burundi
Est passible d'une peine d'emprisonnement de trois mois a un an et d'une amende de deux cent cinquante mille francs a un million francs burundais ou de l'une de ces peines seulement, quiconque se livre a la peche sans permission ou pendant la periode interdite.
Hvornår du kan dykke
Sæsoner og tidsbegrænsninger
Lukkede, åbne og begrænsede perioder over året. Bekræft altid artsspecifikke lukkede perioder lokalt.
- LukketLake Tanganyika (all fishing, all riparian countries including Burundi)maj 15 – aug 15
Annual three-month fishing closure on Lake Tanganyika, jointly agreed by the four riparian states (Burundi, Tanzania, DR Congo, Zambia) to allow fish breeding, coordinated through the Lake Tanganyika Authority. Applies to all fishing on the lake during the breeding season.
Tilladelse til at fiske
Licens
Hvad du skal have for at må være i vandet, hvad det koster, og hvordan du får det.
On-site, through the ministry responsible for fisheries or local fishing associations; no online application. Artisanal fishing requires prior declaration to the local administrative authority (Art. 31).
Få din licensÅbner den officielle portal · fishingworldguide.com
- Type
- Fishing permit / authorisation. Professional fishing requires a licence issued by the Minister responsible for fisheries (Art. 24); sport and subsistence fishing may be practised freely within limits set by ministerial ordinance (Art. 32), but in practice access to Lake Tanganyika for sporting activities requires an official permit.
- Pris
- Approx. USD 10-20 per permit for recreational/sport access to Lake Tanganyika (secondary source); professional-licence fees are set by joint ordinance of the fisheries and finance ministers and are higher for foreigners than for citizens (Art. 25).
- Gyldighed
- Day or short-term permits available for recreational access; professional licence duration set by ministerial ordinance (Art. 26).
- Sådan får du licensen
- On-site, through the ministry responsible for fisheries or local fishing associations; no online application. Artisanal fishing requires prior declaration to the local administrative authority (Art. 31).
- Myndighed
- Ministry responsible for fisheries and aquaculture (Burundi); local fishing associations
Udstyr og teknik
Udstyrskrav
Hvilket udstyr er tilladt, hvordan det må bruges, og hvilke betingelser der er knyttet hertil.
Restriktioner
- Explosives prohibited (Art. 38.8)
- Toxic / harmful chemical or natural substances to kill, stun or scare fish prohibited (Art. 38.2)
- Equipment that stuns or electrocutes fish prohibited (Art. 38.7)
- Underwater lights to attract fish prohibited (Art. 38.6)
- Generators on canoes to create light to attract fish prohibited (Art. 38.5)
- Dredging gear that destroys the lake bed / aquatic environment prohibited (Art. 38.4)
- Various prohibited nets and undersized-mesh gear (Art. 37)
The 2016 law does not mention spearguns, harpoons or 'fusil sous-marin' at all; the underwater speargun is neither expressly authorised nor expressly prohibited. Note Art. 38.6 prohibits underwater lights used to attract fish, which could affect night spearfishing setups. SCUBA-assisted fishing is not addressed in the law.
Hvad du må tage
Fangstbegrænsninger og fredede arter
Daglige kvoter, minimumsstørrelser og arter, der aldrig må fanges.
Dagsgrænse
unknown
Fredede arter — må ikke fanges
- FredetAll aquatic mammal species (Art. 39.1)
- FredetAll aquatic turtle species (Art. 39.2)
- FredetAll aquatic bird species (Art. 39.3)
- FredetFry and juveniles of all fish species (Art. 40 / Art. 53)
The law empowers the Minister to set minimum capture sizes and authorised catch volumes per species (Art. 6.3 and 6.6), but specific numeric daily/size limits for recreational fishing are set by separate ministerial ordinances not retrieved here. Taking, holding or trading fry/juveniles of any species is an offence (Art. 53).
Hvem må fiske
Besøgende og fastboende
Hvordan reglerne adskiller sig for udenlandske besøgende og lokale fastboende.
Udenlandske besøgende
TilladtSærlig licens påkrævet
Krav
- Valid Burundian visa (visa on arrival ~USD 40 or e-visa)
- Permit obtained on-site via the fisheries ministry or local fishing associations
- For professional fishing: special authorisation from the Minister or an access right under an inter-state agreement (Art. 23)
Restriktioner
- Professional fishing is reserved to nationals and resident foreigners; non-resident foreigners need a special ministerial authorisation or treaty-based access right (Art. 23)
- Foreigners pay a higher licence fee than Burundian citizens (Art. 25)
Tourist/recreational fishing on Lake Tanganyika is accessible to foreigners with the appropriate permit. Spearfishing specifically is not addressed for foreigners or residents.
Fastboende
Professional fishing licence (for commercial activity) or prior declaration for artisanal fishing; sport/subsistence fishing free within ministerial limits.
Krav
- Professional fishing requires a licence from the fisheries Minister (Art. 24)
- Artisanal commercial fishing requires prior declaration to the local administrative authority (Art. 31)
Fordele
- Lower licence fees than foreigners (Art. 25)
- Professional fishing reserved to nationals and resident foreigners (Art. 23)
Residents (nationals and resident foreigners) have preferential access to professional fishing. Recreational/sport fishing is open to all within ministerial limits (Art. 32).
Hvor langs kysten
Tilladte og forbudte zoner
Navngivne områder der er åbne for eller lukket for harpunfiskeri. Se det fulde billede på det interaktive kort.
Tilladte områder
Main freshwater fishing area in Burundi, along the Bujumbura/Rumonge shoreline. Recreational/sport fishing is permitted (subject to the 15 May - 15 August closed season and protected-area exclusions). Spearfishing is not specifically regulated.
Closed 15 May - 15 August; spawning zones off-limits (Art. 40); protected species (aquatic mammals, turtles, birds) may not be taken (Art. 39); prohibited methods include explosives, toxics, electrocution and underwater lights (Art. 38).
Forbudte områder
- Rusizi National Park (Parc National de la Rusizi)national park / Ramsar wetland reserve
Protected wetland and Ramsar site (designated 5 June 2002, ~90 km2, established 1980) covering the Rusizi River and its delta into Lake Tanganyika, north of Bujumbura. Fishing in national parks and nature reserves is managed/restricted by the Office Burundais pour la Protection de l'Environnement (OBPE) per Art. 36 of the 2016 law.
- Spawning zones (zones de frayere)fisheries no-take / spawning reserve
All designated fish spawning zones in Burundian territorial waters, where fishing is prohibited under Article 40 of Law No. 1/17 of 2016. Exact geographic delimitation is set by ministerial ordinance.
- Rumonge Nature Reservenature reserve
Nature reserve on the Lake Tanganyika shoreline south of Bujumbura. Fishing within nature reserves is restricted and managed by OBPE under Art. 36 of the 2016 law.
- Lake Rwihinda Managed Nature Reserve (Lac aux Oiseaux)managed nature reserve / protected lake (bird reserve, IBA)
Protected lake in Kirundo Province, northern Burundi, immediately north of Kirundo town near the Rwandan border. Formerly 'Lac aux Oiseaux' (Bird Lake); lake area ~425 ha within a ~8,000 ha protected area. Designated a 'Managed Natural Reserve' (2011 management plan) and part of the 'Protected Aquatic Landscape of the North'; an Important Bird Area (BirdLife). Fishing and agriculture occur but the reserve is managed for nature conservation, so fishing within the protected lake is restricted; all aquatic bird species are fully protected under Art. 39 of Law No. 1/17 of 2016.
Forhold på vandet
Live forhold
Live hav- og vejrøjebliksbillede nær et kystreferencepunkt i Burundi, fra Open-Meteo. Forholdene varierer langs kysten — brug som vejledning.
Live hav og vejr nær Lake Tanganyika (Burundian waters).
Hvem du kan spørge
Myndigheder
De officielle organer, der er ansvarlige for fiskeri og licensudstedelse.
Ministry responsible for Fisheries and Aquaculture (Ministere ayant la peche et l'aquaculture dans ses attributions) - Department of Water, Fisheries and Aquaculture
fisheries authority
fao.orgunknownOffice Burundais pour la Protection de l'Environnement (OBPE)
environment authority (manages fishing in national parks and nature reserves, Art. 36)
bi.chm-cbd.netunknownLake Tanganyika Authority (Autorite du Lac Tanganyika / LTA)
regional transboundary fisheries authority (2003 Convention; coordinates the 15 May - 15 August closed season)
lta-alt.orgunknown
Hvor dette kommer fra
Kilder
Hvert udsagn på denne side kan spores tilbage til én af disse referencer.
- [01]
Loi n 1/17 du 30 novembre 2016 portant organisation de la peche et de l'aquaculture au Burundi (full text PDF, FAOLEX)
Officielfaolex.fao.orgTilgået jun 14 - [02]
Ecolex record: Loi n 1/17 du 30 novembre 2016 (Burundi fisheries and aquaculture law)
Officielecolex.orgTilgået jun 14 - [03]
Presidence de la Republique du Burundi - promulgation of Loi N1/017 du 30 novembre 2016
Officielpresidence.gov.biTilgået jun 14 - [04]
Xinhua: Fishing in Lake Tanganyika to be closed for breeding season (15 May - 15 August)
Sekundærenglish.news.cnTilgået jun 14 - [05]
France 24 - Burundi, neighbouring countries step up protection for Lake Tanganyika
Sekundærfrance24.comTilgået jun 14 - [06]
Rusizi National Park (Wikipedia) - Ramsar wetland, coordinates, area
Sekundæren.wikipedia.orgTilgået jun 14 - [07]
List of protected areas of Burundi (Wikipedia)
Sekundæren.wikipedia.orgTilgået jun 14 - [08]
Fishing in Burundi 2026: Permits, Best Spots, Charters & Costs (Fishing World Guide)
communityfishingworldguide.comTilgået jun 14 - [09]
FAO FAOLEX country profile - Burundi
Officielfao.orgTilgået jun 14
Forskernoter
Burundi is landlocked (no sea coastline); all fishing is freshwater, principally on Lake Tanganyika and inland lakes (Rwihinda, Cohoha) and rivers. The single governing instrument retrieved with verbatim text is Law No. 1/17 of 30 November 2016 (full French text obtained from the FAOLEX PDF). CRITICAL CAVEAT: spearfishing / underwater harpoon / speargun ('peche au harpon', 'fusil sous-marin') is NOT mentioned anywhere in the law - it is neither explicitly authorised nor explicitly prohibited. Recreational 'sport fishing' (peche sportive) is a recognised category (Art. 4) that may be practised freely within ministerial limits (Art. 32), which is why the status is set to 'restricted' rather than 'yes' or 'no'. The list of prohibited methods (Art. 38) targets explosives, toxics, electrocution, dredging and lights-to-attract-fish, none of which is a speargun. Specific numeric catch/size limits and closed-season ordinances are issued separately by the Minister and were not retrieved verbatim. The Lake Tanganyika 15 May - 15 August closure is well documented in news/secondary sources but the underlying regional ordinance text was not retrieved. Coordinates for the general Lake Tanganyika allowed zone are approximate (Burundian shoreline near Bujumbura/Rumonge). Confidence set to 'medium': the primary national law text is fully verified, but spearfishing-specific rules are absent and recreational permit/cost details rely on a secondary/community source.
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