Hong Kong · Spearfishing zone
Hong Kong general sea waters (outside marine parks and the marine reserve)
What this zone is
Overview
How spearfishing is treated at Hong Kong general sea waters (outside marine parks and the marine reserve).
Recreational sea fishing in open Hong Kong waters is not licensed and has no quantity restriction. Lawful spearfishing here still requires the diver to hold a Hong Kong Police Force licence for possession of the speargun, since a speargun is statutorily classified as 'arms' under Cap. 238. Destructive methods (explosives, toxic substances, electricity) remain prohibited under the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171).
What applies here
Restrictions
Specific rules and limits that apply within this area.
Speargun is 'arms' under Cap. 238; possession requires a police licence for possession (s.13). No explosives/poison/electricity (Cap. 171).
Source
This zone is documented in the official source below.
Before you dive
License for Hong Kong
Whether you need a license to spearfish here, and how to get one.
Apply to the Arms Licensing Section of the Hong Kong Police Force for a licence for possession of arms. Recreational sea fishing itself needs no fishing licence; freshwater reservoir fishing (not spearfishing) is licensed separately by the Water Supplies Department.
Get your licenseOpens the official portal · police.gov.hk