United Arab Emirates
Asia · Western Asia
Spearfishing is legal in the UAE but tightly regulated and the rules differ by emirate. Fisheries are governed at the federal level by Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 (amended by Federal Law No. 7 of 2016), with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and each emirate's local authority issuing detailed rules. In Abu Dhabi, the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) explicitly permits recreational spearfishing under Decision No. 4 of 2023: only spearguns used while free-diving are allowed (scuba-assisted spearfishing is not), a recreational fishing permit is required, the diver must display the international diving flag, and at least three people (a driver plus two holders of a recreational speargun licence) must be on board the boat. Recreational fishing in general requires a free or low-cost permit in every emirate (free 1-week permit in Dubai; AED 50-120 elsewhere). A nationwide breeding-season closure and species-specific bans (sharks, sheri, safi, and protected species such as turtles, dugongs, dolphins, parrotfish) apply. Penalties for unlicensed fishing or taking protected species include heavy fines and equipment confiscation.
Last updated July 1, 2024
Governing framework
- §Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 concerning the Exploitation, Protection and Development of Living Aquatic Resources in the Waters of the State of the United Arab Emirates
- §Federal Law No. 7 of 2016 (amending Federal Law No. 23 of 1999)
- §Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) Decision No. 4 of 2023 regulating recreational fishing and fishing competitions in Abu Dhabi
- §Ministerial Resolution No. 43 of 2019 regulating shark fishing and trade
- §Ministerial Decision No. 501 of 2015 prohibiting fishing/trade of Arabian sheri (and safi)
- License required
- Required
- Speargun
- Allowed
- Scuba
- Prohibited
- Foreigners
- Welcome
The law, verbatim
Legal texts
The exact statutory and regulatory provisions that govern spearfishing here, quoted as published, with a link to each official source.
Allowed recreational fishing gear (spearguns while free-diving)
EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023
The recreational fishing gears may include line and hooks or spear guns while practicing free diving, or by any other methods specified by EAD.
Permit requirement for recreational fishing and competitions
EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023
The decision prohibits the practice of recreational fishing and the organisation of marine fishing competitions in the emirate's waters without obtaining a permit from EAD.
Minimum age for a recreational fishing licence
EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023
The applicant should not be under 18 years old; however, those below that age are allowed to accompany an adult holding a valid recreational fishing license.
Diving flag and crew requirements for spearfishing
EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023
The internationally recognised diving flag must also be displayed when spearfishing. There must be at least three (3) persons (a driver and two holders of a recreational license for using spear gun) on board the boat while fishing with a speargun.
Daily catch quota
EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023
Licensees must adhere to the permitted daily fishing quota of 24 fish species of per person, and per pleasure boat.
Prohibition on selling catch and ornamental collection
EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023
Fish or marine species caught must not be disposed of until returning to land or reaching the anchorage or landing area and should not be sold. This is in addition to not catching or keeping marine species, or any part thereof, for ornamental purposes.
Post-trip reporting obligation
EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023
Upon completion of the fishing trip, a report with details of species and quantities of caught fish species is to be submitted to EAD.
Shark fishing season and permanent protection of listed sharks
Ministerial Resolution No. 43 of 2019
The Ministry permanently prohibits the hunting of sharks listed in CITES, CMS, and other protected species of sharks according to Federal Law No. (23) of 1999. The resolution permanently prohibits the import and re-export of shark fins whether fresh, frozen, dried, salted, smoked, or in any other form, except for shark fins imported for scientific research purposes and with the Ministry's approval. The shark fishing season will start from July 1, 2024, lasting until February 28, 2025, with fishing prohibited from the start of March through the end of June each year.
Protection of endangered species and ban on breeding-season fishing (federal law)
Federal Law No. 23 of 1999
The law also bans fishing during breeding seasons. Fishing of sea turtles, collecting their eggs, and fishing of whales, dugong and other endangered species are prohibited. Article 31 stipulates: no UAE fishing boat shall be allowed to sail without a national captain or owner at the helm.
When you can dive
Seasons & time restrictions
Closed, open and restricted periods across the year. Always confirm species-specific closures locally.
- ClosedSharks (all species), nationwideMar 1 – Jun 30
Closed season for shark fishing and trade under Ministerial Resolution No. 43 of 2019; fishing prohibited from the start of March through the end of June each year (open season 1 July - end of February). Sharks listed under CITES/CMS are permanently protected.
- ClosedArabian sheri (spangled emperor) and safi (rabbitfish), nationwideMar 1 – Apr 30
Spawning-season ban on catching, selling, importing and re-exporting Arabian sheri and safi under Ministerial Decision No. 501 of 2015. Ban runs during the breeding period until 30 April.
- ClosedGeneral breeding-season closure (federal)
Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 bans fishing during breeding seasons; specific dates are set annually by MOCCAE ministerial decisions for individual species. Confirm current dated decisions with MOCCAE before fishing.
Permission to fish
License
What you need to be allowed in the water, what it costs, and how to get it.
Apply through the relevant emirate authority. In Abu Dhabi, apply via the 'Tamm' government services portal (EAD). In Dubai, via Dubai Municipality. Spearfishing requires a recreational licence for using a speargun.
Get your licenseOpens the official portal · mediaoffice.abudhabi
- Type
- Recreational fishing licence/permit (issued per emirate); spearfishing requires an additional speargun authorisation. Abu Dhabi issues licences for using a speargun.
- Cost
- Dubai: free (one-week permit). Fujairah/Sharjah: ~AED 50. Ajman/Ras Al Khaimah: ~AED 110. Abu Dhabi: ~AED 120 (annual or weekly options).
- Validity
- Weekly or annual depending on emirate and permit type.
- How to obtain
- Apply through the relevant emirate authority. In Abu Dhabi, apply via the 'Tamm' government services portal (EAD). In Dubai, via Dubai Municipality. Spearfishing requires a recreational licence for using a speargun.
- Authority
- Per-emirate environment authority (e.g. Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi; Dubai Municipality), under MOCCAE federal framework.
Gear & technique
Equipment rules
What gear is permitted, how it may be used, and the conditions attached.
Restrictions
- Spearguns permitted only while free-diving (Abu Dhabi: 'while practicing free diving'); no scuba-assisted spearfishing
- Internationally recognised diving flag must be displayed when spearfishing
- At least three persons on board the boat: a driver plus two holders of a recreational speargun licence (Abu Dhabi)
- Spearfishing requires a separate permit/approval beyond a standard recreational fishing licence (notably in Dubai)
- Nets, trawling and drift nets prohibited without separate approval
Approved recreational gear is line and hooks or spearguns used while free-diving (Hayari), or any other method specified by EAD. Rules differ by emirate; the most detailed published framework is Abu Dhabi's EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023.
What you may take
Catch limits & protected species
Daily quotas, minimum sizes, and species that must never be taken.
Daily limit
Abu Dhabi: 24 fish per person and per pleasure boat per day (EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023).
Protected species — do not take
- ProtectedPainted sweetlips
- ProtectedYellow grouper
- ProtectedRed coral
- ProtectedSea horse fish (seahorses)
- ProtectedParrotfish
- ProtectedSharks (all kinds; CITES/CMS-listed permanently protected)
- ProtectedStingrays (all kinds)
- ProtectedSea turtles
- ProtectedWhales
- ProtectedDolphins
- ProtectedDugongs
- ProtectedCorals
Endangered/protected species must be released. Catching, keeping or selling them is prohibited. Catch may not be sold and may not be kept for ornamental purposes. Seasonal bans additionally restrict sharks (Mar-Jun) and sheri/safi (Mar-Apr).
Who may fish
Visitors & residents
How the rules differ for foreign visitors and local residents.
Foreign visitors
AllowedSpecial license required
Requirements
- Obtain a recreational fishing permit from the relevant emirate authority before fishing
- Obtain separate spearfishing/speargun authorisation where required
- Do not bring spearfishing equipment into the UAE without first obtaining authorisation from the relevant emirate authority
Restrictions
- Same protected-species, seasonal, zone and equipment rules as residents apply
- Note Federal Law No. 23/1999 Art. 31: a UAE fishing boat may not sail without a national (Emirati) captain or owner at the helm - relevant when chartering
Residents and visitors alike can obtain recreational permits. The standard recreational permit is aimed at residents/citizens; tourists typically fish via licensed charter operators that hold the necessary permits. Verify current eligibility with the emirate authority.
Residents
Recreational fishing licence (per emirate), plus speargun authorisation for spearfishing.
Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old to hold a licence (minors may accompany a licensed adult) - Abu Dhabi
- Apply through the emirate authority (e.g. Tamm portal for Abu Dhabi / EAD)
- Comply with daily quotas, protected-species bans, closed seasons and reporting obligations
Emirati citizens and UAE residents are the primary holders of recreational permits.
Where on the coast
Allowed & prohibited zones
Named areas that are open to or closed for spearfishing. See the full picture on the interactive map.
Allowed areas
Recreational spearfishing with spearguns while free-diving is permitted in Abu Dhabi waters under EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023, subject to a permit, the diving-flag and three-persons-on-board conditions, the 24-fish daily quota, protected-species bans and post-trip reporting. EAD's 'Hadaq' interactive map defines where fishing is permitted/prohibited.
Free-diving only (no scuba); permit required; diving flag must be displayed; min. 3 persons on boat (driver + 2 speargun licence holders); 24 fish/day per person and per boat; no selling catch; protected species banned; report catch to EAD.
Recreational fishing in Dubai waters requires a free one-week (or longer) permit. A standard recreational licence covers rod and line only; nets, spearfishing, trawling and drift nets require separate approvals. Where permitted, spearfishing uses spearguns while free-diving (Hayari) and follows the diving-flag and three-persons-on-board safety rules.
Recreational permit required; spearfishing needs separate approval; free-diving spearguns only; diving flag required; closed season approximately June-October in practice.
Prohibited areas
- Marine protected areas and no-fishing zones (EAD Hadaq map)marine reserve / restricted coastal and infrastructure zones
The UAE uses 'Hadaq', an interactive geographical map that defines protected areas and zones along the coastline where fishing is prohibited. Fishing in marine reserves, near public beaches and near oil and gas extraction structures is restricted or banned.
Who to ask
Authorities
The official bodies responsible for fisheries and licensing.
Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE)
environment ministry / federal fisheries authority
moccae.gov.aeToll-free 800 3050Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD)
regional environment / fisheries authority (Abu Dhabi)
ead.gov.aeToll-free 800 555Dubai Municipality
regional fisheries / permitting authority (Dubai)
dm.gov.aeToll-free 800 900
Where this comes from
Sources
Every claim on this page traces back to one of these references.
- [01]
Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi issues decision to regulate recreational fishing and fishing competitions in the emirate (EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023)
Officialmediaoffice.abudhabiAccessed Jun 15 - [02]
Abu Dhabi issues decision to regulate recreational fishing (Zawya / WAM republication of EAD press release)
Secondaryzawya.comAccessed Jun 15 - [03]
Ministry of Climate Change and Environment announces start of shark fishing season (Ministerial Resolution No. 43 of 2019)
Secondaryen.aletihad.aeAccessed Jun 15 - [04]
UAE bans shark, safi, sheri fishing from March 1 (Gulf News)
Secondarygulfnews.comAccessed Jun 15 - [05]
New fishing law takes effect tomorrow - Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 (Gulf News)
Secondarygulfnews.comAccessed Jun 15 - [06]
Regulating fishing practices - The Official Portal of the UAE Government (u.ae)
Officialu.aeAccessed Jun 15 - [07]
Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 concerning the Exploitation, Protection and Development of Living Aquatic Resources (UAE Legislation portal)
Officialuaelegislation.gov.aeAccessed Jun 15 - [08]
Fishing License in Dubai - A Complete Guide (Sotheby's Realty UAE)
Secondarysothebysrealty.aeAccessed Jun 15 - [09]
Is Spearfishing Legal in UAE? An In-Depth Exploration (Lancaster Scuba)
communitylancasterscuba.comAccessed Jun 15
Researcher notes
Spearfishing in the UAE is legal but governed by a federal+emirate split. Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 (as amended by Federal Law No. 7 of 2016) and MOCCAE set the national baseline (protected species, breeding-season and species-specific closures, penalties); each emirate's authority issues the operational recreational rules. The clearest, most recent published instrument is EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023 for Abu Dhabi, which expressly allows recreational spearfishing with free-diving spearguns under a permit. Dubai requires a (free) recreational permit and separate approval for spearfishing. Verbatim federal-law article text could not be retrieved: the official uaelegislation.gov.ae and u.ae portals were behind Cloudflare/bot protection in this environment, and the EAD recreational-fishing factsheet PDF did not parse; federal-law content here is drawn from a reputable secondary report (Gulf News) and is flagged 'translated' where it paraphrases. Coordinates for specific MPAs were not published in machine-readable form (EAD's 'Hadaq' map is the authoritative source) and are left empty rather than guessed. Confidence is medium: the emirate-level spearfishing rules are well-corroborated by official EAD releases, but exact verbatim federal statute articles and per-MPA coordinates were not directly captured. License costs are indicative figures from secondary guides and should be reconfirmed with each emirate authority.
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