Ecuador · Spearfishing zone
Reserva Marina Galera-San Francisco
What this zone is
Overview
How spearfishing is treated at Reserva Marina Galera-San Francisco.
Largest marine protected area on continental Ecuador (~54,604 ha / 546.89 km2) off Cabo San Francisco, Esmeraldas province, between Atacames and Mompiche, extending up to 10 nautical miles offshore. Part of the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP); recreational/sport fishing inside the SNAP is regulated under Art. 127 per each area's management plan and zoning, and extractive use is restricted/prohibited in its no-take and conservation zones. Spearfishing not permitted without specific authorization compatible with conservation objectives.
On the coast
Location
Approximate reference point for this zone. See the full picture on the interactive map.
0.7700°N, 80.1300°W
View on the mapSource
This zone is documented in the official source below.
Before you dive
License for Ecuador
Whether you need a license to spearfish here, and how to get one.
Apply to the Viceministerio de Acuacultura y Pesca / Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganaderia y Pesca (MAGP) for authorization and registration to practice extractive sport fishing with a harpoon (Art. 124). Sport-fishing vessel permits are requested online via the SIAP system (https://siap.aciis.services/acrm/) with cedula/RUC, naval registration, tonnage certificate, safety inspection and proof of payment. In Galapagos, only registered resident artisanal fishers may obtain a PARMA licence from the DPNG plus a DIGMER diving matricula for underwater fishing.
Get your licenseOpens the official portal · gob.ec