Pakistan · Spearfishing zone
Astola Island Marine Protected Area
What this zone is
Overview
How spearfishing is treated at Astola Island Marine Protected Area.
Pakistan's first Marine Protected Area, designated 15 June 2017. Astola is Pakistan's largest offshore island (~6.7 km long, area ~6.7 km2), ~25 km off the Balochistan coast and ~39 km SE of Pasni, Gwadar District. The notification bans harming endangered marine life, fishing with explosives or chemicals, building structures, staying without permission and use of firearms (except law enforcement); a management plan was endorsed in 2025.
On the coast
Location
Approximate reference point for this zone. See the full picture on the interactive map.
25.1228°N, 63.8476°E
View on the mapSource
This zone is documented in the official source below.
Before you dive
License for Pakistan
Whether you need a license to spearfish here, and how to get one.
For EEZ fishing, via the licensing authority designated by the Federal Government (Marine Fisheries Department). Provincial fisheries departments for territorial waters.
Get your licenseOpens the official portal · fao.org