Malawi · Spearfishing zone
Lake Malawi (open waters under Malawi sovereignty, outside protected areas)
What this zone is
Overview
How spearfishing is treated at Lake Malawi (open waters under Malawi sovereignty, outside protected areas).
Spearfishing is permissible in Malawi's fishing waters subject to licensing (sport fishing licence, reg. 21) and, where scuba/underwater breathing apparatus is used with a spear/speargun/harpoon, a written permit from the Director of Fisheries (reg. 35). Areas inside Lake Malawi National Park and any Gazetted closed areas are excluded.
What applies here
Restrictions
Specific rules and limits that apply within this area.
Sport fishing licence required for controlled species/gear; separate written permit required to use any underwater breathing apparatus with a spear, spear gun, harpoon or net; size limits (reg. 36) and close seasons (reg. 37) apply.
When it applies
Seasons
Time-of-year periods that affect spearfishing in this zone.
Rainbow trout closed 1 May - 31 Aug; other species/areas as Gazetted
On the coast
Location
Approximate reference point for this zone. See the full picture on the interactive map.
12.0000°S, 34.5000°E
View on the mapSource
This zone is documented in the official source below.
Before you dive
License for Malawi
Whether you need a license to spearfish here, and how to get one.
Apply to the Director of Fisheries (Department of Fisheries). For scuba spearfishing, submit the application in the Thirteenth Schedule form; permit issued in the Fourteenth Schedule form.
Get your licenseOpens the official portal · malawitradeportal.org