Bangladesh · Spearfishing zone
St Martin's Island Marine Protected Area
What this zone is
Overview
How spearfishing is treated at St Martin's Island Marine Protected Area.
Approximately 1,743 km2 of the Bay of Bengal around St Martin's Island, declared a Marine Protected Area in 2022 under sections 13(1) and 13(2) of the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012. Bangladesh's only coral reef and ~230 finfish species. Coral destruction and uncontrolled/overfishing are restricted; the area is the prime location any diver might attempt spearfishing, and it is protected. A 590-hectare part of the island was also declared an Ecologically Critical Area in 1999.
On the coast
Location
Approximate reference point for this zone. See the full picture on the interactive map.
20.6275°N, 92.3225°E
View on the mapSource
This zone is documented in the official source below.
Before you dive
License for Bangladesh
Whether you need a license to spearfish here, and how to get one.
There is no licensing pathway for recreational spearfishing. Marine fishing licences and permits under the Marine Fisheries Act, 2020 are for commercial industrial vessels and artisanal fishing vessels, not for recreational divers. Killing fish with a gun, bow and arrow (covering spearguns/harpoons) may be prohibited under section 3(b) of the Protection and Conservation of Fish Act, 1950.
Get your licenseOpens the official portal · fisheries.portal.gov.bd