Montenegro
Europe · Southern Europe
Recreational spearfishing is legal in Montenegro but tightly regulated. A sport-recreational fishing licence is mandatory, and a dedicated speargun (podvodna puska) authorisation is required to carry/use a speargun. Spearfishing must be done on breath-hold only: combining a diving/breathing apparatus (scuba/aqualung) with a speargun is prohibited. Night spearfishing (from sunset to sunrise) is banned, as is spearfishing by persons under the relevant minimum age (16 under the consolidated 2009 Law; reported as 18 under the 2025 reform). Catch may not be sold. Fishing is prohibited inside marked bathing areas (1 May - 1 October, by day) and inside declared marine protected areas (Platamuni, Katic, Stari Ulcinj). Date mussel (Litophaga litophaga) and other protected species may not be taken.
Last updated June 15, 2026
Governing framework
- §Law on Marine Fisheries and Mariculture (Zakon o morskom ribarstvu i marikulturi), Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 56/09 (14 Aug 2009), amended 40/11 (8 Aug 2011)
- §Law on Recreational and Sport Fishing / reform of marine fisheries (sportsko-rekreativni ribolov), adopted 2025 (reported in force from September 2025) - secondary-source reported
- 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.
Prohibition of diving apparatus with a speargun
Law on Marine Fisheries and Mariculture, Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 56/09, 40/11
Pri obavljanju privrednog ili sportsko - rekreativnog ribolova zabranjena je upotreba ronilackog aparata sa podvodnom puskom, kao i drzanje ovih sredstava u ribolovnim plovnim objektima ili njihovo nosenje uz obalu ili drzanje na obali. Pod ronilackom opremom iz stava 1 ovog clana smatraju se sve vrste ronilackih aparata ili slicnih naprava pomocu kojih je zaronjenom licu omoguceno disanje pod vodom.
Speargun carriage, night and minimum-age restrictions for sport-recreational spearfishing
Law on Marine Fisheries and Mariculture, Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 56/09, 40/11
Sportsko rekreativnim ribolovom ne smije se ometati privredni ribolov. Zabranjeno je, bez dozvole za sportsko-rekreativni ribolov, na plovnom objektu drzati ribolovni alat i opremu za sportsko-rekreativni ribolov. Zabranjeno je, bez dozvole za ribolov podvodnom puskom, nosenje podvodne puske obalom i drzanje na ribolovnom plovnom objektu. Zabranjeno je obavljati sportsko-rekreativni ribolov podvodnom puskom od zalaska do izlaska sunca. Zabranjeno je obavljanje sportsko-rekreativnog ribolova podvodnom puskom licu koje nije navrsilo 16 godina zivota.
Sport-recreational fishing licence requirement
Law on Marine Fisheries and Mariculture, Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 56/09, 40/11
Sportsko-rekreativnim ribolovom mogu se baviti fizicka lica koja imaju dozvolu za sportsko-rekreativni ribolov. Obrazac dozvole za sportsko-rekreativni ribolov distribuira organ uprave Savezu za sportski ribolov na moru Crne Gore (u daljem tekstu: Savez). Dozvolu za sportsko-rekreativni ribolov izdaju sportsko-ribolovni klubovi koji su clanovi Saveza. U opstinama u kojima nije osnovan sportsko-ribolovni klub koji je clan Saveza, dozvolu izdaje organ lokalne uprave nadlezan za poslove sporta i rekreacije.
Licence types: permanent and temporary (temporary available to non-citizens)
Law on Marine Fisheries and Mariculture, Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 56/09, 40/11
Dozvola za sportsko-rekreativni ribolov moze biti stalna i povremena. Stalna dozvola za sportsko-rekretivni ribolov izdaje se za tekucu kalendarsku godinu, a povremena najvise do 30 dana. Povremena dozvola za sportsko-rekreativni ribolov moze se izdati licu koje nije drzavljanin Crne Gore.
Daily catch quantity set by Ministry; sale of catch prohibited
Law on Marine Fisheries and Mariculture, Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 56/09, 40/11
Sportsko-rekreativni ribolov moze se obavljati uz upotrebu dozvoljenih ribolovnih alata i opreme. Kolicinu ribe koju nosilac dozvole za sportsko rekreativni ribolov moze uloviti u toku dana propisuje Ministarstvo. Nosilac dozvole za sportsko-rekreativni ribolov ne smije stavljati ulov u promet.
Fishing prohibited in marked bathing areas, 1 May - 1 October by day
Law on Marine Fisheries and Mariculture, Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 56/09, 40/11
Ribolov je zabranjen na uredenim i oznacenim kupalistima, u vremenu od 1. maja do 1. oktobra, od izlaska do zalaska sunca.
Prohibition of explosives, chemicals and other killing/stunning means
Law on Marine Fisheries and Mariculture, Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 56/09, 40/11
Zabranjeno je loviti ribu i druge morske organizme eksplozivom, hemijskim sredstvima ili drugim sredstvima koja ih ubijaju, omamljuju ili truju, kao i tako ulovljenu ribu i druge morske organizme sakupljati i stavljati u promet. Zabranjeno je drzati na plovnim objektima i na obali eksplozivna ili hemijska sredstva pomocu kojih se moze ubijati, trovati ili omamljivati riba i drugi morski organizmi.
Protection of date mussel (Litophaga litophaga) and rocky shore habitat
Law on Marine Fisheries and Mariculture, Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 56/09, 40/11
Radi zastite kamenite obale, kao posebnog stanista u ribolovnom moru, zabranjen je ulov, stavljanje u promet na teritoriji Crne Gore i izvoz prstaca (Litophaga litophaga).
Fishing gear/trawl prohibitions in the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska)
Law on Marine Fisheries and Mariculture, Official Gazette of Montenegro No. 56/09, 40/11
Na podrucju Bokokotorskog zaliva zabranjen je ribolov: 1) pridnenim kocama; 2) lebdecim kocama i 3) plivaricama velikog ribolova.
When you can dive
Seasons & time restrictions
Closed, open and restricted periods across the year. Always confirm species-specific closures locally.
- ClosedAll marked and managed bathing areas (beaches) along the Montenegrin coastMay 1 – Oct 1
Article 19 of the Law on Marine Fisheries and Mariculture: fishing (including spearfishing) is prohibited at marked/managed bathing areas from 1 May to 1 October, during daylight hours (from sunrise to sunset).
- ClosedSpeargun spearfishing - nightly closuresunset – sunrise
Article 63: sport-recreational spearfishing with a speargun is prohibited from sunset to sunrise (night spearfishing banned).
Permission to fish
License
What you need to be allowed in the water, what it costs, and how to get it.
Issued by sport-fishing clubs that are members of the Association for Sport Fishing on the Sea of Montenegro (Savez za sportski ribolov na moru Crne Gore); where no member club exists in a municipality, by the local self-government body for sport and recreation. Diving centres/clubs may issue daily licences for spearfishing. Bring valid passport/ID and pay the fee.
Get your licenseOpens the official portal · gov.me
- Type
- Sport-recreational fishing licence (dozvola za sportsko-rekreativni ribolov); a separate speargun authorisation (dozvola za ribolov podvodnom puskom) is required to carry/use a speargun.
- Cost
- Reported (2025/2026): residents annual without speargun ~EUR 20, with speargun ~EUR 40-60, under-18 ~EUR 5; tourists/foreigners temporary: ~EUR 5 (1 day), ~EUR 10 (up to 5 days), ~EUR 15 (up to 10 days), ~EUR 30-60 (up to 30 days). Speargun licence for persons over 18 reported at EUR 40. Statutory fee set by the Ministry; figures are from secondary sources.
- Validity
- Permanent licence: current calendar year (1 Jan - 31 Dec regardless of purchase date). Temporary licence: up to 30 days (temporary licence available to non-citizens of Montenegro).
- How to obtain
- Issued by sport-fishing clubs that are members of the Association for Sport Fishing on the Sea of Montenegro (Savez za sportski ribolov na moru Crne Gore); where no member club exists in a municipality, by the local self-government body for sport and recreation. Diving centres/clubs may issue daily licences for spearfishing. Bring valid passport/ID and pay the fee.
- Authority
- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management - Directorate for Fisheries (organ uprave), via the Association for Sport Fishing on the Sea of Montenegro
Gear & technique
Equipment rules
What gear is permitted, how it may be used, and the conditions attached.
Restrictions
- Speargun must be without explosive ammunition; explosives/chemicals to kill, stun or poison fish are prohibited (Article 21)
- Use of a diving/breathing apparatus (scuba/aqualung) together with a speargun is prohibited - spearfishing is breath-hold (apnea) only (Article 22)
- Carrying a speargun along the coast or keeping it on a fishing vessel without a speargun authorisation is prohibited (Article 63)
- No spearfishing with a speargun from sunset to sunrise (Article 63)
- Minimum age 16 to spearfish with a speargun under the consolidated 2009 Law (Article 63); reported as 18 under the 2025 reform
- A surface marker float/buoy is reported to be required for safety; keep clear of swimmers/bathing areas
Permitted underwater gear under the reform is reported to be the speargun without explosive charge, harpoons/spears and traps. Combining scuba tanks with a speargun remains illegal.
What you may take
Catch limits & protected species
Daily quotas, minimum sizes, and species that must never be taken.
Daily limit
Set by the Ministry (Article 62). Reported under the 2025 reform: up to 5 kg of fish/other marine organisms per day plus one specimen exceeding 5 kg (earlier guidance cited 3 kg + one fish over 3 kg). The kg limit does not apply to tuna/swordfish or to catch during sanctioned competitions. Catch may not be sold.
Protected species — do not take
- ProtectedDate mussel / date shell (Litophaga litophaga / prstac) - catch, trade within Montenegro and export prohibited (Article 26)
- ProtectedAll species on the official list of protected species published in the Official Gazette (Article 15) - prohibited to catch, take, buy, sell, store, transport or keep on board
- ProtectedBluefin tuna and swordfish (big-game species) - reserved; require a special daily big-game licence and are not available to ordinary recreational anglers without it
Statutory minimum sizes for individual species are set by Ministry by-law (Article 16) and were not retrieved verbatim; consult the Order on minimum sizes / juveniles protection and authorised clubs for current figures. Fish below the prescribed minimum size may not be taken, kept on board, sold or transported (Article 16).
Who may fish
Visitors & residents
How the rules differ for foreign visitors and local residents.
Foreign visitors
AllowedSpecial license required
Requirements
- Obtain a temporary (povremena) sport-recreational fishing licence (up to 30 days), which is the licence type available to non-citizens (Article 60)
- For spearfishing, also obtain the speargun authorisation; bring a valid passport and pay the fee
- Purchase via an authorised member sport-fishing club or diving centre
Restrictions
- Same rules as residents apply: breath-hold only (no scuba with speargun), no night spearfishing, no fishing in MPAs or marked bathing areas in season, catch may not be sold
- Big-game (tuna/swordfish) spearfishing is not allowed; vessel big-game fishing needs a special daily licence, AIS and catch reporting
Tourists typically buy a daily/short-term temporary licence. Children under 14 may fish without a licence only under adult supervision (secondary source).
Residents
Permanent (stalna) sport-recreational fishing licence valid for the calendar year, plus speargun authorisation for spearfishing.
Requirements
- Hold a valid sport-recreational fishing licence issued by a member sport-fishing club or local authority
- Hold a speargun authorisation to use/carry a speargun
- Carry the licence while fishing (Article 59)
Benefits
- Annual (calendar-year) validity
- Generally lower fees than foreign tourists; reduced fee for under-18s (reported)
Membership cards of sport-fishing and diving clubs do NOT count as a fishing licence (Article 64).
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 on breath-hold is permitted along almost the entire Adriatic coastline of Montenegro with a valid sport-recreational fishing licence and speargun authorisation, outside marine protected areas, marked bathing areas (in season), ports/anchorages and military zones.
Licence + speargun permit required; daylight only; breath-hold only (no scuba); keep clear of swimmers and bathing areas; reported minimum distance ~100 m from swimmers/beaches; catch may not be sold.
Prohibited areas
- Platamuni Marine Nature Parkmarine protected area (nature park)
First marine protected area in Montenegro, declared April 2021, near Budva (coast between Traste and Jaz, off Krimovica/Zagora/Glavaticici), approx. 1,087 ha. Protects Posidonia oceanica seagrass and coastal/rocky habitats. Fishing and spearfishing are restricted/prohibited as an MPA.
- Katic Marine Nature Parkmarine protected area (nature park)
Second marine and coastal protected area, proclaimed 16 September 2021, off Petrovac/Buljarica (Katic and Sveta Nedjelja islets). Fishing and spearfishing restricted/prohibited as an MPA.
- Stari Ulcinj Marine Nature Parkmarine protected area (nature park)
Third marine protected area, proclaimed December 2021 near Ulcinj (Stari Ulcinj / Old Ulcinj rocky islet and surrounding waters). High biodiversity value; the area is reported as endangered by uncontrolled and illegal fishing, including unauthorised spearfishing. Fishing/spearfishing restricted/prohibited as an MPA.
- Marked/managed bathing areas (seasonal)seasonal closure (bathing areas)
All marked and managed bathing areas (beaches) along the coast are closed to fishing, including spearfishing, from 1 May to 1 October during daylight hours (Article 19).
- Ports, harbour approaches and anchoragesport / navigation zone
Fishing in port areas, harbour entrances/approaches and anchorages is allowed only with consent of the port user, the harbour master's office (lucka kapetanija) and the Institute; otherwise prohibited.
Conditions on the water
Live conditions
Live marine and weather snapshot near a coastal reference point in Montenegro, from Open-Meteo. Conditions vary along the coast — treat as indicative.
Live marine & weather near Platamuni Marine Nature Park.
Who to ask
Authorities
The official bodies responsible for fisheries and licensing.
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management - Directorate for Fisheries (Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, sumarstva i vodoprivrede / organ uprave za ribarstvo)
fisheries authority
Association for Sport Fishing on the Sea of Montenegro (Savez za sportski ribolov na moru Crne Gore, SSRM)
national sport-fishing federation (licence issuer)
Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro (Institut za biologiju mora)
scientific advisory institute
Public Enterprise for Coastal Zone Management of Montenegro (Morsko dobro) / Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
marine protected areas / environment authority
Where this comes from
Sources
Every claim on this page traces back to one of these references.
- [01]
Law on Marine Fisheries and Mariculture (Zakon o morskom ribarstvu i marikulturi), consolidated text, Official Gazette 56/09, 40/11 (PDF hosted by EPA Montenegro)
Officialepa.org.meAccessed Jun 15 - [02]
Law on Marine Fisheries and Mariculture (OG 56/09) - English summary, FAO AdriaMed legislation
Officialfaoadriamed.orgAccessed Jun 15 - [03]
Cabinet proclaims third marine protected area - Nature Park Stari Ulcinj (Government of Montenegro)
Officialgov.meAccessed Jun 15 - [04]
The Montenegrin government proclaims its second Marine Protected Area (MedPAN)
Secondarymedpan.orgAccessed Jun 15 - [05]
Spearfishing in Montenegro - How to Get a License (KotorFisherman)
Secondarykotorfisherman.comAccessed Jun 15 - [06]
Fishing in Montenegro - Rules, Licenses & Tips (KotorFisherman)
Secondarykotorfisherman.comAccessed Jun 15 - [07]
Dozvola za podvodni ribolov - Savez za sportski ribolov na moru (SSRM)
Officialssrm-cg.comAccessed Jun 15 - [08]
In Montenegro, Marine Areas Are Protected Only on Paper (Earth Journalism Network)
Secondaryearthjournalism.netAccessed Jun 15
Researcher notes
Spearfishing is legal but restricted in Montenegro. Verbatim provisions are taken from the consolidated Law on Marine Fisheries and Mariculture (Official Gazette 56/09, amended 40/11), retrieved as machine-extracted text from the EPA-hosted PDF; orthographic diacritics were normalised to plain Latin in the verbatim_text fields (content otherwise unchanged). Core rules: licence mandatory (Art. 59-60); speargun authorisation required (Art. 63); breath-hold only, scuba+speargun banned (Art. 22); no night spearfishing (Art. 63); minimum age 16 under the 2009 Law (Art. 63), reported raised to 18 under the 2025 reform; no sale of catch (Art. 62); date mussel and listed protected species banned (Art. 15, 26); seasonal bathing-area closure 1 May-1 Oct by day (Art. 19). A new Law on Recreational and Sport Fishing was adopted in 2025 (reported in force ~Sept 2025) introducing a ~5 kg/day limit (+1 specimen >5 kg), a big-game licence category and an Article 31 on underwater fishing; the verbatim 2025 text was not retrievable from a primary portal during research (the Sluzbeni list and propisi.net article URLs returned HTTP 404), so 2025-specific figures (5 kg limit, age 18, fees) are flagged as secondary-source reported. Three declared marine protected areas (Platamuni, Katic, Stari Ulcinj) restrict/prohibit fishing; their coordinates are approximate locality centroids except Stari Ulcinj (confirmed). Confidence is high for the legal framework and core spearfishing rules (primary verbatim text), medium for exact 2025 fee/limit figures and MPA boundary coordinates.
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