SpearfishingMap

United States of America · Spearfishing zone

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary — Geyer Bank (Gulf of Mexico)

Prohibited zonenational marine sanctuary

What this zone is

Overview

How spearfishing is treated at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary — Geyer Bank (Gulf of Mexico).

Spearfishing is prohibited on Geyer Bank, one of the largest sanctuary units, added by the January 2021 expansion rule (86 FR 4953). Inside Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary 15 CFR 922.122(a)(8) allows fish to be taken only "by use of conventional hook and line gear", and 922.122(a)(10) prohibits possessing or using any other fishing gear in the Sanctuary except while possessing it "while passing without interruption through it". Spearguns, pole spears and Hawaiian slings are therefore illegal to use here, and may only be carried through the Sanctuary in uninterrupted transit.

On the coast

Location

Approximate reference point for this zone. See the full picture on the interactive map.

27.8215°N, 93.0629°W

View on the map

Source

This zone is documented in the official source below.

Before you dive

License for United States of America

Whether you need a license to spearfish here, and how to get one.

License requiredvia State fish and wildlife agencies (e.g. FWC Florida, CDFW California, Hawaii DLNR/DAR, TPWD Texas); NOAA Fisheries for federal waters/HMS permits.

Purchase from the relevant state fish and wildlife agency online portal, license vendors, or in person. Requirements differ by state and by resident/non-resident status.

Get your license

Opens the official portal · fisheries.noaa.gov

← All spearfishing rules for United States of America

RevoiceLab — AI voiceover & media translation in 60+ languages