Dominican Republic · Spearfishing zone
Santuario de Mamiferos Marinos Bancos de La Plata y La Navidad
What this zone is
Overview
How spearfishing is treated at Santuario de Mamiferos Marinos Bancos de La Plata y La Navidad.
Marine mammal sanctuary (Category I, Areas de Proteccion Estricta, Ley 202-04 numeral 7) covering the offshore Silver Bank (Banco de la Plata), Navidad Bank and Banco del Panuelo plus the Samana Bay whale-watching waters — the principal North Atlantic humpback-whale breeding ground (WDPA polygon 33,403 km2). Category I permitted uses under Art. 14 of Ley 202-04 (scientific research, monitoring, education, genetic-resource conservation, ecotourism) do not include fishing, and Art. 41 of Law 307-04 expressly EXCEPTS the La Plata and La Navidad banks from the coastal zone reserved for subsistence/artisanal/sport fishing. Any fishing inside requires a Ministry of Environment permit (Art. 43, Law 307-04); spearfishing prohibited. Complements the existing 'Samana Bay marine area' entry, which pins the bay portion of this same sanctuary.
On the coast
Location
Approximate reference point for this zone. See the full picture on the interactive map.
20.1166°N, 69.6329°W
View on the mapSource
This zone is documented in the official source below.
Before you dive
License for Dominican Republic
Whether you need a license to spearfish here, and how to get one.
Apply to CODOPESCA (Consejo Dominicano de Pesca y Acuicultura). Each licence states the fishing activity, permitted gear types and area of operation. Licences are non-transferable. In practice, charter/dive operators can arrange a recreational licence on a visitor's behalf.
Get your licenseOpens the official portal · codopesca.gob.do
