SpearfishingMap

French Polynesia

Oceania · Polynesia

Recreational spearfishing (peche sous-marine / chasse sous-marine) is legal and a long-standing tradition in French Polynesia, and no recreational fishing licence is required. It is governed primarily by Deliberation No. 88-183 AT of 8 December 1988 (as amended), Title III of which sets the core rules for underwater fishing. Spearfishing while breathing underwater is prohibited: no scuba tank or hookah (narguile) may be used (except to destroy the crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci), and combining autonomous breathing equipment with a speargun is banned (except 'Lupara' powerheads used as defence against sharks). Spearfishers may not approach within 150 m of water intakes, marine farms (pearl/aquaculture) or marked nets/gear, may not keep a speargun loaded out of the water, and may not take animals caught in others' gear. Many lagoon and reef areas are closed to spearfishing via marine protected areas, the Moorea PGEM, and traditional 'rahui' reserves. Species-specific minimum sizes and seasonal closures (e.g. spiny lobster, mangrove crab, mantis shrimp, slipper lobster, river prawns) apply under Deliberation No. 88-184 AT, and several species (burgau, trochus, sea cucumbers, turtles) are fully protected.

Restricted
DatenverlässlichkeitHohe Verlässlichkeit

Zuletzt aktualisiert Juni 15, 2026

Rechtsrahmen

  • §Deliberation No. 88-183 AT of 8 December 1988 on fishing regulation in French Polynesia (consolidated; amended by Del. 94-162 AT, 96-151 APF, 2012-50 APF)
  • §Deliberation No. 88-184 AT of 8 December 1988 on the protection of certain marine and freshwater animal species (amended by Del. 96-148 APF, 2002-76 APF, 2012-50 APF)
  • §Deliberation No. 90-83 AT of 13 July 1990 on the protection of marine turtles; Washington Convention (CITES)
  • §Moorea PGEM (Plan General d'Amenagement / Plan de Gestion de l'Espace Maritime) - marine protected areas and special fishing zones
  • §Code de l'environnement de la Polynesie francaise (legal basis for modern rahui marine managed areas)
Lizenz erforderlich
Nicht erforderlich
Harpune
Erlaubt
Tauchgerät
Verboten
Ausländer
Willkommen

Das Gesetz, wortgetreu

Gesetzestexte

Die genauen gesetzlichen und behördlichen Bestimmungen, die das Speerfischen hier regeln, wie veröffentlicht zitiert, mit einem Link zu jeder offiziellen Quelle.

01Article 2French Polynesia · regional

Definition of underwater fishing

Deliberation No. 88-183 AT of 8 December 1988 on fishing regulation in French Polynesia (consolidated version)

FROriginal

Art. 2.- Est reputee sous-marine la peche qui se pratique en action de nage, en surface ou en plongee.

02Article 8French Polynesia · regional

Prohibitions for underwater fishers (distances, charged speargun, others' gear)

Deliberation No. 88-183 AT of 8 December 1988 on fishing regulation in French Polynesia (consolidated version), Title III - Peche sous-marine

FROriginal

Art. 8.- Est interdit aux pecheurs sous-marins : - de s'approcher a moins de 150 m de prise d'eau, des etablissements de cultures marines ainsi que des filets et engins de peche balises ; - de capturer des animaux marins pris dans des engins ou filets poses par d'autres pecheurs ; - de conserver charge, hors de l'eau, tout appareil de peche sous-marine.

03Article 9French Polynesia · regional

Prohibition of breathing apparatus for underwater fishing (scuba / hookah ban)

Deliberation No. 88-183 AT of 8 December 1988 on fishing regulation in French Polynesia (consolidated version), Title III - Peche sous-marine

FROriginal

Art. 9.- Est interdit d'utiliser pour l'exercice de la peche sous-marine, tout equipement autonome ou non permettant a une personne immergee de respirer sans revenir a la surface, excepte pour la destruction de la «Taramea» Acanthaster planci.

04Article 10French Polynesia · regional

Prohibition of speargun combined with breathing apparatus

Deliberation No. 88-183 AT of 8 December 1988 on fishing regulation in French Polynesia (consolidated version), Title III - Peche sous-marine

FROriginal

Art. 10.- Est interdit pour l'exercice de la peche sous-marine l'utilisation conjointe d'un equipement autonome et d'un fusil sous-marin a l'exception des «Lupara» utilises comme arme de defense contre les squales.

05Article 11French Polynesia · regional

Night spearfishing projectors may be banned by zone/season

Deliberation No. 88-183 AT of 8 December 1988 on fishing regulation in French Polynesia (consolidated version), Title III - Peche sous-marine

FROriginal

Art. 11.- Le conseil des ministres pourra interdire l'utilisation de projecteurs pour la peche sous-marine de nuit (entre le coucher et le lever du soleil) dans certaines zones et en certaines saisons.

06Articles 7 and 8French Polynesia · regional

Minimum sizes and closed seasons for lobster, crab, mantis shrimp, slipper lobster

Deliberation No. 88-184 AT of 8 December 1988 on the protection of certain marine and freshwater animal species (amended Del. 2012-50 APF)

FROriginal

Art. 7.- Sont interdits en tout temps et sur toute l'etendue du territoire de la Polynesie Francaise, la peche, le transport, la detention, la commercialisation et la consommation : - des langoustes dont la taille est inferieure a 20 cm mesuree de l'oeil a la naissance de la nageoire caudale, - des crabes dont la taille est inferieure a 12 cm mesuree dans la plus grande largeur, - des squilles dont la taille est inferieure a 18 cm mesuree de l'oeil a la naissance de la nageoire caudale, - des cigales de mer dont la taille est inferieure a 14 cm mesuree de l'oeil a la naissance de la nageoire caudale, - des femelles ovigeres de langoustes, de crabes, de squilles et de cigales de mer. Art. 8.- Sont prohibes, du 1er novembre au 31 janvier inclus, sur toute l'etendue de la Polynesie francaise, excepte l'ile de Rapa, la peche, le transport, la detention, la commercialisation et la consommation des crabes, des squilles et des cigales de mer, quelle qu'en soit la taille. Sont prohibes, du 1er fevrier au 30 avril inclus, sur toute l'etendue de la Polynesie francaise, excepte l'ile de Rapa, la peche, le transport, la detention, la commercialisation et la consommation des langoustes quelle qu'en soit la taille.

07Articles 3, 4, 9 and 10French Polynesia · regional

Fully protected giant clam (Pahua) minimum size and burgau / trochus / sea cucumber bans

Deliberation No. 88-184 AT of 8 December 1988 on the protection of certain marine and freshwater animal species (amended Del. 2002-76 APF, 2012-50 APF)

FROriginal

Art. 3.- Sont interdits en tout temps, sur toute l'etendue du territoire, et quel qu'en soit le procede : - la peche des burgaux [...]. Art. 4.- Sont interdits en tout temps et sur toute l'etendue du territoire, la peche, le transport, la detention, la commercialisation, la consommation : - des benitiers dont la taille de la coquille est inferieure a 12 cm dans sa plus grande longueur. Art. 9.- Sont interdits en tout temps et sur toute l'etendue du territoire de la Polynesie Francaise, la peche, le transport, la detention, la commercialisation et la consommation des trocas. Art. 10.- La peche, la detention, le transport, la commercialisation des holothuries est interdite sur toute l'etendue de la Polynesie francaise et en tout temps, sauf pour les lagons et pentes externes recifales ainsi que pour les periodes d'autorisation de peche definis par un arrete en conseil des ministres.

08Articles 51-52 (PGEM)French Polynesia · regional

Marine turtle nesting site protection

Moorea/Tuamotu PGEM referencing Deliberation No. 90-83 AT of 13 July 1990 and the Washington Convention (CITES)

FROriginal

Art. 51 : Rappel de la legislation. Conformement aux dispositions reglementaires existantes (convention de Washington et deliberation n° 90-83 AT du 13 juillet 1990), les sites de pontes des tortues sont proteges. Toutes actions pouvant deteriorer ces sites ou detruire les nids, les oeufs et les tortues juveniles ou adultes sont strictement interdits. Art. 52 : Preservation des habitats. Afin de preserver les sites de pontes de tortues, leur acces est interdit entre le mois d'octobre et le mois de fevrier.

09Articles 10 and 14Moorea (commune) · municipal

Moorea PGEM - speargun distance from swimmers/beaches and recreational fishing gear

Moorea PGEM (Plan General d'Amenagement)

FROriginal

Art. 10.- Peche au fusil. Le pecheur ne doit pas s'approcher au moins de 50 metres des baigneurs et a moins de 100 metres des plages frequentees. Art. 14.- Peche de loisir. Est consideree comme peche de loisir, toute action de peche pratiquee par une personne quel que soit son age, dont ce n'est pas l'occupation principale. Elle ne peut s'exercer qu'a la canne, a la ligne et au fusil ; l'emploi du filet est interdit de nuit. Le produit de la peche ne doit etre ni expose ni vendu.

10Article 55Moorea (commune) · municipal

Moorea PGEM - spearfishing prohibited in scientific reserve / marine protected areas

Moorea PGEM (Plan General d'Amenagement), Aire marine protegee de Tiahura

FROriginal

Art. 55.- Reserve scientifique. - sont interdits toute collecte de corail, de coquillage et de crustaces, toute activite de nourrissage, de peche sous-marine, de plongee (en apnee ou en scaphandre autonome) autre que scientifique ; - sont autorisees la navigation de surface, le surf.

Wann du tauchen darfst

Saisonzeiten & zeitliche Einschränkungen

Schon-, Fang- und eingeschränkte Zeiten über das Jahr. Bestätige artspezifische Schonzeiten stets vor Ort.

Jan
Feb
Mär
Apr
Mai
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Okt
Nov
Dez
GeschlossenEingeschränktOffen
  • GeschlossenCrabs (upai), mantis shrimp (varo), slipper/reef lobster (tianee) - all of French Polynesia except RapaNov 1 – Jan 31

    Prohibited season for crabs, mantis shrimp and slipper lobster (any size) - fishing, transport, holding, sale and consumption banned. Per Deliberation 88-184 AT, Art. 8 (amended Del. 2012-50 APF).

  • GeschlossenSpiny lobster (oura miti / langouste) - all of French Polynesia except RapaFeb 1 – Apr 30

    Prohibited season for spiny lobster (any size). Per Deliberation 88-184 AT, Art. 8 (amended Del. 2012-50 APF).

  • GeschlossenSpiny lobster, crabs, mantis shrimp and slipper lobster - island of Rapa onlyNov 1 – Apr 30

    On Rapa, all four crustacean species are under closed season from 1 November to 30 April inclusive. Per Deliberation 88-184 AT, Art. 8.

  • GeschlossenRiver prawns (chevrettes / oura pape) and river fish (nato) - all of French PolynesiaNov 1 – Feb 28

    Prohibited season for legal-size river prawns and river fish (fishing, transport, holding, sale, consumption). Per Deliberation 88-184 AT, Art. 6.

  • GeschlossenMarine turtle nesting sites (e.g. Tuamotu atolls Kauehi, Raraka - zones marked HP)Okt 1 – Feb 28

    Access to turtle nesting sites is prohibited from October to February (PGEM Art. 52). Marine turtles are fully protected year-round (Del. 90-83 AT, Washington Convention).

  • EingeschränktSea cucumbers (holothuries / rori)

    No-time fishing of sea cucumbers is prohibited except where and when opened by a Council of Ministers order; subsistence (vivriere) take only is otherwise allowed. Sea cucumbers must be hand-collected only and may not be fished from 18:00 to 06:00. Per Deliberation 88-184 AT, Art. 10, and Del. 88-183 AT Art. 13/17 ter.

Erlaubnis zum Fischen

Lizenz

Was du brauchst, um ins Wasser zu dürfen, was es kostet und wie du es bekommst.

Keine Lizenz erforderlichüber Direction des Ressources Marines (DRM)
Keine Lizenz erforderlich
Typ
None for recreational/lagoon spearfishing
Kosten
n/a
Gültigkeit
n/a
Wie zu erhalten
No recreational fishing or spearfishing licence is issued or required in French Polynesia. Licences exist only for professional fishing (e.g. offshore/hauturiere commercial fishing).
Behörde
Direction des Ressources Marines (DRM)

Ausrüstung & Technik

Ausrüstungsregeln

Welche Ausrüstung erlaubt ist, wie sie verwendet werden darf und welche Auflagen gelten.

HarpuneErlaubt
TauchgerätVerboten

Einschränkungen

  • Spearguns (fusil sous-marin / harpon) are permitted; recreational fishing may be done by rod, line and speargun (Moorea PGEM Art. 14)
  • Use of any apparatus allowing an immersed person to breathe without returning to the surface (scuba / hookah / narguile) for spearfishing is prohibited, except to destroy crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci (Del. 88-183 AT Art. 9)
  • Combining autonomous breathing equipment with a speargun is prohibited, except 'Lupara' powerheads used as defence against sharks (Del. 88-183 AT Art. 10)
  • A speargun may not be kept loaded out of the water (Del. 88-183 AT Art. 8)
  • Must stay 150 m from water intakes, marine farms (pearl/aquaculture) and marked nets/gear (Del. 88-183 AT Art. 8)
  • Moorea PGEM: keep at least 50 m from swimmers and 100 m from busy beaches (Art. 10)
  • Council of Ministers may ban use of projectors/lights for night spearfishing in certain zones/seasons (Del. 88-183 AT Art. 11)
  • Explosive and gas substances prohibited except 'Lupara' as shark defence (Del. 88-183 AT Art. 17)

Spearfishing is by definition practised while swimming, at the surface or in apnea (free-diving); breathing apparatus is incompatible with the speargun. Industrial fishing and net fishing are banned across the EEZ; nets are heavily restricted in lagoons.

Was du entnehmen darfst

Fangbeschränkungen & geschützte Arten

Tagesquoten, Mindestmaße und Arten, die niemals entnommen werden dürfen.

Tageslimit

No general numeric daily bag limit specified for recreational spearfishing; species minimum sizes and seasonal closures apply, and catch may not be displayed or sold (Moorea PGEM Art. 14).

Mindestmaße

  • Spiny lobster (oura miti / langouste, Panulirus penicillatus)min 20 cm
  • Mangrove crab (upai, Scylla serrata)min 12 cm
  • Mantis shrimp (varo, Squilla mantis)min 18 cm
  • Slipper/reef lobster (tianee, Parribacus holthuisi)min 14 cm
  • Giant clam (pahua, Tridacna maxima) - shell lengthmin 12 cm
  • River prawns (chevrettes / oura pape)min 6 cm
  • River fish (nato, Kuhlia marginata)min 12 cm
  • Napoleon/humphead wrasse (mara, Cheilinus undulatus) - Moorea PGEM recommended sizemin 80 cm

Geschützte Arten — nicht entnehmen

  • GeschütztMarine turtles (tortues marines) - fully protected (Del. 90-83 AT, Washington Convention/CITES)
  • GeschütztCetaceans and other marine mammals - sanctuary, fully protected
  • GeschütztBurgau (Turbo marmoratus) - fishing prohibited at all times
  • GeschütztTrochus (trocas, Trochus niloticus) - fishing, holding and sale prohibited at all times
  • GeschütztSea cucumbers (holothuries / rori) - prohibited except in opened zones/seasons; subsistence only; hand-collection only; no take 18:00-06:00
  • GeschütztOvigerous (egg-bearing) females of spiny lobster, crab, mantis shrimp and slipper lobster - prohibited at all times
  • GeschütztCrown-of-thorns starfish (taramea, Acanthaster planci) - destruction encouraged; only species for which breathing apparatus is allowed

The Napoleon wrasse (mara) appears in the Moorea PGEM size table with a recommended (taille conseillee) minimum of 80 cm; the IUCN-endangered humphead wrasse should be avoided. Ciguatera risk is significant on many reefs - local consultation is advised. Minimum sizes and seasons are set by Deliberation 88-184 AT (as amended).

Wer fischen darf

Besucher & Einheimische

Wie sich die Regeln für ausländische Besucher und einheimische Bewohner unterscheiden.

Ausländische Besucher

Erlaubt

Einschränkungen

  • Same rules as for residents apply (Del. 88-183 AT, 88-184 AT, local PGEM and rahui restrictions)
  • Catch is for personal consumption only - it may not be exposed for sale or sold (Moorea PGEM Art. 14)
  • Must respect marine protected areas, rahui zones and protected species

No specific tourist/foreigner permit exists for recreational spearfishing. Visitors should consult locals about safe fishing areas and ciguatera-prone species, and respect community rahui.

Einheimische

None required for recreational/subsistence (vivriere) lagoon fishing and spearfishing

Vergünstigungen

  • Subsistence fishing (peche vivriere) is a recognised traditional right
  • Communities can establish and manage local rahui reserves

Lagoon and reef fishing for personal/subsistence use is a long-standing customary practice; only professional/commercial fishing requires a licence.

Wo an der Küste

Erlaubte & verbotene Zonen

Benannte Gebiete, die für das Speerfischen offen oder gesperrt sind. Das Gesamtbild siehst du auf der interaktiven Karte.

Erlaubte Gebiete

  • Recreational spearfishing is permitted across most lagoons and reefs of the territory subject to Deliberation 88-183 AT (Title III) and species protections, outside marine protected areas, rahui reserves and other closed zones. No recreational licence is required.

    No scuba/hookah while spearfishing (Art. 9-10); speargun may not be kept loaded out of the water; keep 150 m from water intakes, marine farms and marked gear (Art. 8); respect protected species and minimum sizes.

Verbotene Gebiete

  • Aire marine protegee de Tiahura (Moorea scientific reserve)marine protected area / scientific reserve

    Spearfishing (peche sous-marine), collection of coral/shells/crustaceans, feeding and diving (apnea or scuba) other than scientific are prohibited. Located NW of Moorea off Haapiti, between PK 24.5 and 26.7, including islets Fareone, Tiahura and motu Irioa up to Taoatai pass (Moorea PGEM Art. 54-55).

  • Moorea PGEM marine protected areas (AMP)marine protected area network (PGEM)

    Network of marine protected areas around Moorea (e.g. Nuarei/Teavaro, Aroa/Paopao, and others) where fishing including spearfishing is restricted or prohibited under the Moorea PGEM.

  • Cetacean / marine mammal sanctuarymarine mammal sanctuary

    French Polynesia's internal waters, territorial sea and EEZ form a sanctuary for whales and other marine mammals; lagoons and bays (e.g. Opunohu, Haumi and Matauvau passes on Moorea) are designated rest/reception sites for cetaceans (Moorea PGEM Art. 43-44).

  • Rahui de Teahupoo (Tahiti)rahui / community marine managed area

    Traditional rahui marine managed area in Teahupoo with legal protection under French Polynesia's environmental code since 2016; one of the strictest rahui where resource exploitation is restricted or prohibited for set periods.

  • Traditional Polynesian rahui reserves established in several lagoons and islands where fishing is restricted or entirely prohibited for a defined period to allow stocks to recover; managed by communities and increasingly backed by environmental/fishing regulation.

  • Fakarava UNESCO Biosphere ReserveUNESCO biosphere reserve / managed marine area

    Fakarava and surrounding Tuamotu atolls form a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere reserve with managed/protected zones (PGEM) limiting resource exploitation; certain areas are no-take.

Bedingungen auf dem Wasser

Live-Bedingungen

Live-Momentaufnahme von Meer und Wetter nahe einem Küstenreferenzpunkt in French Polynesia, von Open-Meteo. Die Bedingungen variieren entlang der Küste — als Richtwert betrachten.

Live-Meer & -Wetter nahe Aire marine protegee de Tiahura (Moorea scientific reserve).

Bedingungen

Wen man fragt

Behörden

Die offiziellen Stellen, die für Fischerei und Lizenzierung zuständig sind.

  • Direction des Ressources Marines (DRM)

    fisheries / marine resources authority

    ressources-marines.gov.pfPapeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
  • Service de la mer et de l'aquaculture / Ministere en charge de la mer (Government of French Polynesia)

    maritime / fisheries ministry

  • Direction de l'environnement (DIREN) de la Polynesie francaise

    environment authority (protected species, rahui, marine areas)

Woher das stammt

Quellen

Jede Aussage auf dieser Seite lässt sich auf eine dieser Referenzen zurückführen.

  1. [01]

    Recueil des textes - peche (compendium of fishing legislation, incl. Del. 88-183 AT, 88-184 AT, Moorea PGEM) - Ministere/Direction des Ressources Marines

    Offiziell
  2. [02]

    Reglementation : Peche au filet et Peche sous-marine - Direction des Ressources Marines

    Offiziell
  3. [03]

    Peche lagonaire : reglementation - Direction des Ressources Marines

    Offiziell
  4. [04]

    Polynesie francaise - SPC Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture (Pacific Community)

    Offiziell
    cbfm.spc.intAbgerufen Jun 15
  5. [05]

    In French Polynesia, an ancient conservation model is helping revive fisheries (rahui) - Pew Charitable Trusts

    Sekundär
    pewtrusts.orgAbgerufen Jun 15
  6. [06]

    In Tahiti, a lagoon rescued by tradition (Teahupoo rahui) - UNESCO Courier

    Sekundär
    courier.unesco.orgAbgerufen Jun 15
  7. [07]

    Boat fishing and spearfishing in French Polynesia - Sail Tahiti

    community
    sailtahiti.comAbgerufen Jun 15

Anmerkungen des Rechercheurs

Spearfishing in French Polynesia is legal, traditional and licence-free for recreation/subsistence, but heavily framed by conservation rules. Core spearfishing law: Deliberation No. 88-183 AT of 8 December 1988 (consolidated), Title III (Arts. 8-12) - verbatim text captured from the official DRM 'recueil de textes peche'. Key constraints: NO scuba/hookah while spearfishing (Art. 9), NO speargun + breathing apparatus (Art. 10, except 'Lupara' shark-defence powerheads), 150 m exclusion from water intakes/marine farms/marked gear, no loaded speargun out of water (Art. 8). Species protections and seasons under Del. 88-184 AT (minimum sizes for lobster 20 cm, crab 12 cm, mantis shrimp 18 cm, slipper lobster 14 cm, giant clam 12 cm; closed seasons Nov-Apr for crustaceans). Fully protected: turtles, marine mammals, burgau, trochus, sea cucumbers. Large additional spatial restrictions come from the Moorea PGEM (marine protected areas, Tiahura scientific reserve bans spearfishing), the cetacean sanctuary, and a growing network of community 'rahui' reserves (Teahupoo, Tautira, Maiao, Fakarava, Rapa, Marquesas, Australes) that close areas to fishing - these vary by island/commune and should be checked locally before diving. Confidence is HIGH for the territory-wide statutory rules (official verbatim sources retrieved); MEDIUM for the precise current boundaries/status of individual rahui and some PGEM zones, which change over time. Coordinates for protected zones are approximate centroids derived from the source descriptions and used for map placement only.

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