SPECIES GUIDE

Minimum sizes & protected species.

This guide indexes minimum legal landing sizes from each country's catch-limit rules and the species placed off-limits by national protection regulations, gathered across every researched country. Data is sourced per country and rules change — always verify on the country page before you dive.

species with size limits: 318species with size limits
size-limit records: 432size-limit records
countries with protected lists: 171countries with protected lists

Queen conch

9 countries

min 17.78–22.9 cm

Antigua and Barbuda
Queen conch (shell length)
17.78 cm
Belize
Queen conch (Strombus gigas) - shell length
17.78 cm
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Queen conch (Aliger gigas)
17.8 cm
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Queen conch (Aliger gigas) - minimum shell length
17.8 cm
Grenada
Queen conch (shell length)
18 cm
Saint Lucia
Queen conch (shell length, immature threshold)
18 cm
Dominican Republic
Queen conch (lambi, Strombus gigas)
20 cm
United States Virgin Islands
Queen Conch (shell length)
22.86 cm
Puerto Rico
Queen conch (carrucho, Lobatus gigas) - territorial min shell length (9 in)
22.9 cm

Spiny lobster

8 countries

min 7.6–25 cm

Maldives
Spiny lobster (Panulirus spp.)
7.6 cm
Belize
Spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) - carapace
7.62 cm
Grenada
Spiny lobster (carapace length)
9.5 cm
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Spiny lobster (Panulirus argus)
9.5 cm
Saint Lucia
Spiny lobster (carapace length)
9.5 cm
Ghana
Spiny Lobster (Panulirus regius) — carapace length (CL)
12 cm
Cayman Islands
Spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) - tail length
15.2 cm
French Polynesia
Spiny lobster (oura miti / langouste, Panulirus penicillatus)
20 cm
Grenada
Spiny lobster (total length, laid flat)
25 cm

Caribbean spiny lobster

6 countries

min 8.89–25 cm

United States Virgin Islands
Caribbean Spiny Lobster (carapace length)
8.89 cm
Puerto Rico
Caribbean spiny lobster (langosta, Panulirus argus) - min carapace length (3.5 in)
8.9 cm
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) - minimum carapace length
8.9 cm
Antigua and Barbuda
Caribbean spiny lobster (carapace length)
9.5 cm
Dominican Republic
Caribbean spiny lobster (langosta caribe, Panulirus argus)
18 cm
Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
Caribbean spiny lobster (Bonaire) - no take below this carapace/total length and no egg-bearing females
25 cm

Cod

4 countries

min 30–35 cm

Denmark
Cod (torsk) - Skagerrak/Kattegat
30 cm
Denmark
Cod (torsk) - Belts/Baltic & North Sea incl. Limfjorden, Ringkøbing Fjord
35 cm
Estonia
35 cm
Isle of Man
Cod (Gadus morhua)
35 cm
Jersey
35 cm

European lobster

4 countries

min 8.5–9 cm

Guernsey
European lobster (Homarus gammarus)
8.5 cm
Ireland
European lobster (Homarus gammarus) - carapace length
8.7 cm
Jersey
8.9 cm
United Kingdom
European lobster (Homarus gammarus) - carapace length
9 cm

Lobster

4 countries

min 7–15 cm

Nigeria
7 cm
Northern Mariana Islands
Lobster (spiny lobster) — minimum 3 inches (76.2 mm) carapace length; no egg-bearing or stripped females; not by spear
7.62 cm
Trinidad and Tobago
Lobster (carapace length)
8.9 cm
Pakistan
15 cm

Mackerel

4 countries

min 18–20 cm

Cyprus
Mackerel (Scomber spp. / Κολιός, σκουμπρί)
18 cm
Guernsey
Mackerel (Scomber scombrus)
20 cm
Isle of Man
Mackerel (Scomber spp.)
20 cm
Jersey
20 cm

Brown trout

3 countries

min 25–35 cm

Liechtenstein
Brown trout (Bachforelle)
25 cm
Estonia
32 cm
Latvia
Brown trout (taimiņš)
35 cm

Common pandora

3 countries

min 11–28 cm

Israel
Common Pandora (Pagellus erythrinus)
11 cm
Cyprus
Common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus / Λυθρίνι)
15 cm
Gibraltar
Common Pandora (Pagellus erythrinus / Breca)
28 cm

Eel

3 countries

min 35–50 cm

Canada
Eel (Maritimes, per DFO guidance)
35 cm
Estonia
Eel (sea)
35 cm
Estonia
Eel (other inland waters)
50 cm
Liechtenstein
Eel (Aal)
50 cm

European sea bass

3 countries

min 25–42 cm

Malta
European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
25 cm
Ireland
European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
42 cm
United Kingdom
European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
42 cm

Green Turtle

3 countries

min 50.8–86.4 cm

Turks and Caicos Islands
Green turtle (shell length)
50.8 cm
Kiribati
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas, carapace)
86 cm
Marshall Islands
Green turtle (subsistence only)
86.4 cm

Groupers

3 countries

min 40–45 cm

Gambia
40 cm
Cyprus
Groupers (Epinephelus spp. / Ορφός, σφυρίδα, βλάχος)
45 cm
Malta
Groupers (Epinephelus spp.)
45 cm

Hawksbill Turtle

3 countries

min 50.8–68.6 cm

Turks and Caicos Islands
Hawksbill turtle (shell length)
50.8 cm
Kiribati
Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata, carapace)
68 cm
Marshall Islands
Hawksbill turtle (subsistence only)
68.6 cm

Horse mackerel

3 countries

min 15 cm

Guernsey
Horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus)
15 cm
Isle of Man
Horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.)
15 cm
Jersey
15 cm

Langouste

3 countries

min 8–24 cm

Mayotte
Langouste (spiny lobster)
8 cm
Réunion
Langouste (spiny lobster) — rostrum tip to tail end
23 cm
France
Langouste (Spiny lobster, Palinurus)
24 cm

Napoleon Humphead wrasse

3 countries

min 63.5–80 cm

Palau
Napoleon/humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus, Ngimer/Maml)
63.5 cm
Kiribati
Napoleon Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus)
65 cm
French Polynesia
Napoleon/humphead wrasse (mara, Cheilinus undulatus) - Moorea PGEM recommended size
80 cm

Pike

3 countries

min 20–50 cm

Kyrgyzstan
Pike (щука)
20 cm
Estonia
40 cm
Latvia
Pike (līdaka)
50 cm

Salmon

3 countries

min 50–60 cm

Finland
Salmon (Bay of Bothnia, north of 63 deg 30 N)
50 cm
Estonia
55 cm
Finland
Salmon (sea)
60 cm
Latvia
Salmon (lasis)
60 cm

Sole

3 countries

min 24 cm

France
Sole (Solea solea)
24 cm
Isle of Man
Sole (Solea vulgaris)
24 cm
Jersey
24 cm

Spider crab

3 countries

min 12–13 cm

Guernsey
Spider crab (Maia squinado)
12 cm
Jersey
12 cm
Ireland
Spider crab (Maja squinado) - female, carapace
12.5 cm
Ireland
Spider crab (Maja squinado) - male, carapace
13 cm

Yellowtail snapper

3 countries

min 26.7–30.48 cm

Puerto Rico
Yellowtail snapper (colirrubia, Ocyurus chrysurus) - territorial min (10.5 in)
26.7 cm
Bermuda
30 cm
United States Virgin Islands
Yellowtail Snapper (total length, EEZ)
30.48 cm

Bass

2 countries

min 42–50 cm

Jersey
42 cm
Isle of Man
Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
50 cm

Bream

2 countries

min 20–30 cm

Kyrgyzstan
Bream (лещ)
20 cm
Estonia
Bream (Peipsi/Pihkva/Lämmijärv & Emajõgi)
30 cm

Brown Crab

2 countries

min 14–15 cm

Ireland
Brown crab (Cancer pagurus) - carapace width
14 cm
Jersey
15 cm

Burbot

2 countries

min 30–40 cm

Liechtenstein
Burbot (Trüsche)
30 cm
Estonia
40 cm

Carp

2 countries

min 20–30 cm

Kyrgyzstan
Carp (карп)
20 cm
Liechtenstein
Carp (Karpfen)
30 cm

Catfish

2 countries

min 30–40 cm

Gambia
30 cm
Kyrgyzstan
Catfish (сом)
40 cm

Clam

2 countries

min 15–20 cm

Kiribati
Clam (Tridacna maxima)
15 cm
Niue
18 cm
Kiribati
Clam (Tridacna squamosa)
20 cm

Crab

2 countries

min 6–9 cm

Nigeria
6 cm
Bahrain
9 cm

Crawfish

2 countries

min 8.3–23 cm

Bahamas
Crawfish (Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus)
8.3 cm
Guernsey
Crawfish (Palinurus elephas)
23 cm

Cuttlefish

2 countries

min 13–14 cm

Gambia
13 cm
Ghana
Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) — mantle length (ML)
14 cm

Dusky Grouper

2 countries

min 40–50 cm

Israel
Dusky Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus)
40 cm
Gibraltar
Dusky Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus / Mero)
50 cm

Flounder

2 countries

min 18–25 cm

Estonia
Flounder (subareas 29 and 32)
18 cm
Estonia
Flounder (subarea 28)
21 cm
Jersey
25 cm

Gilthead seabream

2 countries

min 15–20 cm

Israel
Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata)
15 cm
Cyprus
Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata / Τσιπούρα)
20 cm

Goatfish

2 countries

min 10–20 cm

Guam
Goatfish (Mullidae) - 'ti'ao' juvenile threshold
10 cm
Kiribati
Goatfish (Upeneus taeniopterus)
20 cm

Grayling

2 countries

min 30–35 cm

Finland
Grayling (north of 67 deg 00 N)
30 cm
Finland
Grayling (south of 67 deg 00 N)
35 cm
Liechtenstein
Grayling (Äsche)
35 cm

Haddock

2 countries

min 30 cm

Isle of Man
Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)
30 cm
Jersey
30 cm

Hake

2 countries

min 27–30 cm

Isle of Man
Hake (Merluccius merluccius)
27 cm
Gambia
30 cm

Herring

2 countries

min 20 cm

Guernsey
Herring (Clupea harengus)
20 cm
Isle of Man
Herring (Clupea harengus)
20 cm

Ling

2 countries

min 63 cm

Isle of Man
Ling (Molva molva)
63 cm
Jersey
63 cm

Mantis shrimp

2 countries

min 18 cm

French Polynesia
Mantis shrimp (varo, Squilla mantis)
18 cm
Kiribati
Mantis shrimp (Lysiosquillina maculata)
18 cm

Meagre

2 countries

min 40–70 cm

Israel
Meagre (Argyrosomus regius)
40 cm
Gambia
Meagre (capitaine)
70 cm

Mullet

2 countries

min 20–35 cm

Jersey
20 cm
Kiribati
Mullet (Crenimugil crenilabis)
35 cm

Nassau grouper

2 countries

min 40.6–61 cm

Cayman Islands
Nassau grouper (min, when open)
40.6 cm
Belize
Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) - total length (min)
50.8 cm
Cayman Islands
Nassau grouper (max, when open)
61 cm

Pike perch

2 countries

min 40–45 cm

Estonia
Pike perch (inland, general)
40 cm
Finland
Pike-perch (zander / kuha)
42 cm
Estonia
Pike perch (Lake Võrtsjärv)
45 cm

Plaice

2 countries

min 27 cm

Isle of Man
Plaice (Pleuronectes platessa)
27 cm
Jersey
27 cm

Pollack

2 countries

min 30 cm

Isle of Man
Pollack (Pollachius pollachius)
30 cm
Jersey
30 cm

Red Mullet

2 countries

min 15 cm

Gambia
15 cm
Jersey
15 cm

Red Pandora

2 countries

min 14–19 cm

Ghana
Red Pandora (Pagellus bellotti)
14 cm
Gambia
19 cm

Rock lobster

2 countries

min 8.5–22 cm

Kiribati
Rock lobster (Panulirus sp., carapace length)
8.5 cm
Vanuatu
Rock lobster (Panulirus spp.)
22 cm

Sardine

2 countries

min 11–13 cm

Jersey
11 cm
Iran
13 cm

Scallop

2 countries

min 10–10.5 cm

Guernsey
Scallop (Pecten maximus)
10 cm
Jersey
10.5 cm

Tench

2 countries

min 18–25 cm

Kyrgyzstan
Tench (линь)
18 cm
Estonia
25 cm

Trochus shell

2 countries

min 9 cm

Fiji
Trochus shell (Trochus niloticus)
9 cm
Vanuatu
Trochus (Trochus niloticus) shell - minimum
9 cm

Trout

2 countries

min 25–30 cm

Lesotho
Trout (rainbow/brown)
25 cm
Andorra
Trout (Gran Valira from Spanish border to Andorra la Vella)
30 cm

White seabream

2 countries

min 11–23 cm

Israel
White Seabream (Diplodus sargus)
11 cm
Cyprus
White seabream (Diplodus sargus / Σορκός)
23 cm

Whitefish

2 countries

min 30 cm

Estonia
Whitefish (sea and rivers to sea)
30 cm
Liechtenstein
Whitefish (Felchen)
30 cm

Whiting

2 countries

min 27 cm

Isle of Man
Whiting (Merlangius merlangus)
27 cm
Jersey
27 cm

Wreckfish

2 countries

min 30–45 cm

Israel
Wreckfish (Polyprion americanus)
30 cm
Cyprus
Wreckfish (Polyprion americanus / Κολαούζος)
45 cm

Acanthurus triostegus

1 country

min 17 cm

Tonga
Acanthurus triostegus (Manini, convict surgeonfish)
17 cm

Amu Darya trout

1 country

min 20 cm

Kyrgyzstan
Amu Darya (river) trout (амударьинская/речная форель)
20 cm

Anchovy

1 country

min 12 cm

Isle of Man
Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus)
12 cm

Andak

1 country

min 24 cm

Bahrain
24 cm

Annular seabream

1 country

min 12 cm

Cyprus
Annular seabream (Diplodus annularis / Σπάρος)
12 cm

Annular seabream / sarago sparaglione

1 country

min 12 cm

Italy
Annular seabream / sarago sparaglione (Diplodus annularis)
12 cm

Ark shell

1 country

min 4 cm

Kiribati
Ark shell (Anadara sp.)
4 cm

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

1 country

min 70 cm

Israel
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus)
70 cm

Axillary seabream

1 country

min 17 cm

Cyprus
Axillary seabream (Pagellus acarne / Φατσούκλι)
17 cm

Ballan Wrasse

1 country

min 43 cm

Isle of Man
Ballan Wrasse (Labrus bergylta)
43 cm

Bar / Loup

1 country

min 35 cm

France
Bar / Loup (European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax)
35 cm

Barbel

1 country

min 25 cm

Kyrgyzstan
Barbel (усач)
25 cm

Barracuda

1 country

min 21 cm

Gibraltar
Barracuda (Sphyraena sphyraena / Espeton)
21 cm

Barracudas , fork length

1 country

min 30 cm

Ghana
Barracudas (Sphyraena spp), fork length
30 cm

Beche-de-mer

1 country

min 7.6 cm

Fiji
Beche-de-mer (sea cucumber)
7.6 cm

Besugo

1 country

min 18 cm

Portugal
Besugo (Pagellus acarne)
18 cm

Bica

1 country

min 15 cm

Portugal
Bica (Pagellus erythrinus)
15 cm

Bigeye & Yellowfin tuna

1 country

min 55 cm

Ghana
Bigeye & Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus obesus/albacares)
55 cm

Black Bream

1 country

min 23 cm

Jersey
23 cm

Black grouper

1 country

min 95 cm

Bermuda
95 cm

Black Scorpionfish

1 country

min 22 cm

Gibraltar
Black Scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus / Rascacio)
22 cm

Black Sea turbot

1 country

min 45 cm

Bulgaria
Black Sea turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)
45 cm

Black Seabream

1 country

min 23 cm

Gibraltar
Black Seabream (Spondyliosoma cantharus / Chopa)
23 cm

Black-lip pearl oyster

1 country

min 10 cm

Japan
Black-lip pearl oyster (Okinawa)
10 cm

Blackspot seabream

1 country

min 33 cm

Cyprus
Blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo / Μπαλάς)
33 cm

Blacktail Comber

1 country

min 21 cm

Gibraltar
Blacktail Comber (Serranus atricauda / Cabrilla)
21 cm

Blue Ling

1 country

min 70 cm

Isle of Man
Blue Ling (Molva dypterygia)
70 cm

Blue spotted seabream

1 country

min 18 cm

Ghana
Blue spotted seabream (Sparus caeruleostictus)
18 cm

Bluefin tuna

1 country

min 115 cm

Malta
Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus)
115 cm

Bluefin tuna / tonno rosso

1 country

min 115 cm

Italy
Bluefin tuna / tonno rosso (Thunnus thynnus)
115 cm

Bogue

1 country

min 12 cm

Gibraltar
Bogue (Boops boops / Boga)
12 cm

Bolbometopon muricatum

1 country

min 69 cm

Tonga
Bolbometopon muricatum (Sikatoki, bumphead parrotfish)
69 cm

Bonefish

1 country

min 30 cm

Kiribati
Bonefish (Albula glossodonta)
30 cm

Boring clam

1 country

min 8 cm

Japan
Boring clam (Okinawa)
8 cm

Bourzwa

1 country

min 32 cm

Seychelles
Bourzwa (Emperor red snapper, Lutjanus sebae)
32 cm

Brill

1 country

min 30 cm

Jersey
30 cm

Bronze bream

1 country

min 30 cm

South Africa
30 cm

Brook trout / salmó de font

1 country

min 20 cm

Andorra
Brook trout / salmó de font (Estany de l'Estanyó)
20 cm

Brown Meagre

1 country

min 25 cm

Gambia
25 cm

Bumphead parrotfish

1 country

min 65 cm

Solomon Islands
Bumphead (humphead) parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum)
65 cm

Bumphead/humphead parrotfish

1 country

min 63.5 cm

Palau
Bumphead/humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum, Kemedukl/Berdebed)
63.5 cm

Canary dentex

1 country

min 22 cm

Ghana
Canary dentex (Dentex canariensis)
22 cm

Cassava fish

1 country

min 18 cm

Ghana
Cassava fish (Pseudotolithus senegalensis)
18 cm

Chebachek

1 country

min 10 cm

Kyrgyzstan
Chebachek (чебачек)
10 cm

Chebak / Issyk-Kul dace

1 country

min 17 cm

Kyrgyzstan
Chebak / Issyk-Kul dace (чебак)
17 cm

Chlorurus microrhinos

1 country

min 45 cm

Tonga
Chlorurus microrhinos (Sikatoki)
45 cm

Choco-vulgar / Common cuttlefish - dorsal mantle

1 country

min 10 cm

Portugal
Choco-vulgar / Common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) - dorsal mantle
10 cm

Cigale de mer

1 country

min 20 cm

Mayotte
Cigale de mer (slipper lobster)
20 cm

Coconut crab

1 country

min 9 cm

Vanuatu
Coconut crab (Birgus latro)
9 cm

Coconut crab carapace

1 country

min 9 cm

Solomon Islands
Coconut crab (Birgus latro) carapace
9 cm

Comb Grouper

1 country

min 45 cm

Gibraltar
Comb Grouper (Mycteroperca rubra / Gitano)
45 cm

Commercial top / Tectus niloticus

1 country

min 6 cm

Japan
Commercial top / Tectus niloticus (Okinawa)
6 cm

Common Dentex

1 country

min 35 cm

Gibraltar
Common Dentex (Dentex dentex / Denton)
35 cm

Common sea bream / red porgy

1 country

min 18 cm

Malta
Common sea bream / red porgy (Pagrus pagrus)
18 cm

Common Seabream / Red Porgy

1 country

min 28 cm

Gibraltar
Common Seabream / Red Porgy (Pagrus pagrus / Pargo)
28 cm

Common snook - territorial min

1 country

min 55.9 cm

Puerto Rico
Common snook (robalo comun, Centropomus undecimalis) - territorial min (22 in)
55.9 cm

Common sole

1 country

min 20 cm

Cyprus
Common sole (Solea vulgaris / Γλώσσα)
20 cm

Common Whelk

1 country

min 4.5 cm

Jersey
4.5 cm

Conch

1 country

min 17.8 cm

Turks and Caicos Islands
Conch (Queen conch, shell length)
17.8 cm

Conger Eel

1 country

min 58 cm

Jersey
58 cm

Corvina

1 country

min 32 cm

Uruguay
Corvina (Micropogonias furnieri)
32 cm

Corvina-legitima / Meagre

1 country

min 42 cm

Portugal
Corvina-legitima / Meagre (Argyrosomus regius)
42 cm

Crabe de mangrove

1 country

min 10 cm

Mayotte
Crabe de mangrove (mangrove crab)
10 cm

Crabe de palétuvier / mud crab , largest dimension

1 country

min 14 cm

New Caledonia
Crabe de palétuvier / mud crab (Scylla serrata), largest dimension
14 cm

Crawfish / spiny lobster

1 country

min 9.5 cm

Turks and Caicos Islands
Crawfish / spiny lobster (whole, carapace length)
9.5 cm

Crayfish - tail length

1 country

min 13 cm

Niue
Crayfish (lobster) - tail length
13 cm

Crayfish / spiny lobster carapace

1 country

min 8 cm

Solomon Islands
Crayfish / spiny lobster (Panulirus spp.) carapace
8 cm

Croakers

1 country

min 70 cm

Gambia
70 cm

Crucian carp

1 country

min 18 cm

Kyrgyzstan
Crucian carp (карась)
18 cm

Ctenochaetus striatus

1 country

min 17 cm

Tonga
Ctenochaetus striatus (Pone 'uli)
17 cm

Cultivated ormer

1 country

min 6 cm

Guernsey
Cultivated ormer (Haliotis tuberculata)
6 cm

Dab

1 country

min 15 cm

Jersey
15 cm

Demersal fish - sportsfishing

1 country

min 48.26 cm

Saint Lucia
Demersal (bottom) fish - sportsfishing
48.26 cm

Dentex

1 country

min 15 cm

Gambia
15 cm

Denti

1 country

min 30 cm

France
Denti (Common dentex, Dentex dentex)
30 cm

Dogtooth Grouper

1 country

min 45 cm

Gibraltar
Dogtooth Grouper (Epinephelus caninus)
45 cm

Dolphinfish - federal EEZ min fork length

1 country

min 61 cm

Puerto Rico
Dolphinfish (dorado/mahi) - federal EEZ min fork length (24 in)
61 cm

Dorade royale

1 country

min 27 cm

France
Dorade royale (Gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata)
27 cm

Dorado

1 country

min 75 cm

Paraguay
Dorado (Salminus brasiliensis)
75 cm

Dourada / Gilthead seabream

1 country

min 19 cm

Portugal
Dourada / Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)
19 cm

Dusky grouper / grouper

1 country

min 45 cm

Greece
Dusky grouper / grouper (Epinephelus spp.)
45 cm

Edible crab

1 country

min 14 cm

Guernsey
Edible crab (Cancer pagurus)
14 cm

European anchovy

1 country

min 9 cm

Cyprus
European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus / Γαύρος)
9 cm

European Barracuda

1 country

min 20 cm

Israel
European Barracuda (Sphyraena sphyraena)
20 cm

European hake

1 country

min 20 cm

Cyprus
European hake (Merluccius merluccius / Μπακαλιάρος)
20 cm

European hake / nasello

1 country

min 20 cm

Italy
European hake / nasello (Merluccius merluccius)
20 cm

European perch

1 country

min 25 cm

Liechtenstein
European perch (Egli)
25 cm

European pilchard / sardine

1 country

min 11 cm

Cyprus
European pilchard / sardine (Sardina pilchardus / Σαρδέλα)
11 cm

European sea bass / spigola-branzino

1 country

min 25 cm

Italy
European sea bass / spigola-branzino (Dicentrarchus labrax)
25 cm

European seabass

1 country

min 25 cm

Cyprus
European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax / Λαβράκι)
25 cm

Faneca / Pouting

1 country

min 17 cm

Portugal
Faneca / Pouting (Trisopterus luscus)
17 cm

Fish

1 country

min 15 cm

Qatar
Fish (general minimum)
15 cm

Flathead Grey Mullet

1 country

min 20 cm

Israel
Flathead Grey Mullet (Mugil cephalus)
20 cm

Fluted Giant Clam

1 country

min 20 cm

Japan
Fluted Giant Clam (Okinawa)
20 cm

Flying fish

1 country

min 20 cm

Kiribati
Flying fish (Cypselurus suttoni)
20 cm

Freshwater fish , total length

1 country

min 14 cm

New Caledonia
Freshwater fish (river fishing), total length
14 cm

Freshwater shrimp , total length excluding antennae

1 country

min 7 cm

New Caledonia
Freshwater shrimp (river fishing), total length excluding antennae
7 cm

Garrick

1 country

min 70 cm

South Africa
Garrick (leervis)
70 cm

Geelbek

1 country

min 60 cm

South Africa
60 cm

General finfish

1 country

min 20.3 cm

Cayman Islands
General finfish (most species)
20.3 cm

Giant clam - shell length

1 country

min 12 cm

French Polynesia
Giant clam (pahua, Tridacna maxima) - shell length
12 cm

Giant clam / Tridacna gigas

1 country

min 30 cm

Japan
Giant clam / Tridacna gigas (Okinawa)
30 cm

Gilt-head sea-bream

1 country

min 20 cm

Malta
Gilt-head sea-bream (Sparus aurata)
20 cm

Gilthead seabream / orata

1 country

min 20 cm

Italy
Gilthead seabream / orata (Sparus aurata)
20 cm

Goldblotch Grouper

1 country

min 40 cm

Israel
Goldblotch Grouper (Epinephelus costae)
40 cm

Goraz / Blackspot seabream

1 country

min 33 cm

Portugal
Goraz / Blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo)
33 cm

Green Turban / Turbo marmoratus

1 country

min 13 cm

Japan
Green Turban / Turbo marmoratus (Okinawa)
13 cm

Grouper — L.I. 1968 reg. 14 / Schedule, fork length

1 country

min 42 cm

Ghana
Grouper (Epinephelus aeneus) — L.I. 1968 reg. 14 / Schedule, fork length
42 cm

Grouper / cernia

1 country

min 45 cm

Italy
Grouper / cernia (Epinephelus spp.)
45 cm

Hamour

1 country

min 42 cm

Bahrain
Hamour (grouper)
42 cm

Havoor

1 country

min 67 cm

Iran
67 cm

Hawksbill sea turtle

1 country

min 25 cm

Japan
Hawksbill sea turtle (Okinawa, plastron length)
25 cm

Hipposcarus longiceps

1 country

min 32 cm

Tonga
Hipposcarus longiceps (Olomea)
32 cm

Homard

1 country

min 27 cm

France
Homard (European lobster, Homarus gammarus)
27 cm

Horse mackerels

1 country

min 15 cm

Cyprus
Horse mackerels (Trachurus spp. / Σαφρίδια)
15 cm

Humpback Red snapper

1 country

min 25 cm

Kiribati
Humpback Red snapper (Lutjanus gibbus)
25 cm

Hyse — south of 62°N

1 country

min 32–40 cm

Norway
Hyse (haddock) — south of 62°N
32 cm
Norway
Hyse (haddock) — north of 62°N
40 cm

Ide

1 country

min 32 cm

Estonia
32 cm

Jacks - 'i'e'' juvenile threshold

1 country

min 10 cm

Guam
Jacks (Carangidae) - 'i'e'' juvenile threshold
10 cm

Juveniles of eels

1 country

min 13 cm

Japan
Juveniles of eels (Okinawa)
13 cm

Kingfish

1 country

min 45 cm

Bahrain
Kingfish (Kanaad)
45 cm

Kob

1 country

min 40 cm

South Africa
Kob (Argyrosomus spp.)
40 cm

Kveite

1 country

min 84 cm

Norway
Kveite (Atlantic halibut)
84 cm

Lady crab

1 country

min 5 cm

Guernsey
Lady crab (Macropipus puber)
5 cm

Lagostas / Spiny lobsters - carapace

1 country

min 9.5 cm

Portugal
Lagostas / Spiny lobsters (Palinurus spp.) - carapace
9.5 cm

Lake marinka

1 country

min 25 cm

Kyrgyzstan
Lake marinka (маринка озерная)
25 cm

Lake trout

1 country

min 50 cm

Liechtenstein
Lake trout (Seeforelle)
50 cm

Landlocked salmon

1 country

min 60 cm

Finland
60 cm

Langouste / spiny lobster

1 country

min 7.5 cm

New Caledonia
Langouste / spiny lobster (carapace length, supra-orbital spines to rear of cephalothorax)
7.5 cm

Lavagante-europeu / European lobster - carapace

1 country

min 8.7 cm

Portugal
Lavagante-europeu / European lobster (Homarus gammarus) - carapace
8.7 cm

Lemon Sole

1 country

min 25 cm

Jersey
25 cm

Lenguado comun

1 country

min 40 cm

Chile
Lenguado comun (Paralichthys spp. - common flounder)
40 cm

Leptoscarus vaigiensis

1 country

min 21 cm

Tonga
Leptoscarus vaigiensis (Ufu)
21 cm

Lethrinus harak

1 country

min 22 cm

Tonga
Lethrinus harak (Tanutanu)
22 cm

Lethrinus nebulosus

1 country

min 41 cm

Tonga
Lethrinus nebulosus (Koango / 'Ika hina)
41 cm

Lethrinus obsoletus

1 country

min 24 cm

Tonga
Lethrinus obsoletus (Tanutanu)
24 cm

Lethrinus olivaceus

1 country

min 43 cm

Tonga
Lethrinus olivaceus (Ngutukao / Ngutuloloa)
43 cm

Lethrinus xanthochilus

1 country

min 43 cm

Tonga
Lethrinus xanthochilus (Ngungutoa)
43 cm

Lingcod

1 country

min 65 cm

Canada
Lingcod (BC, representative; verify current area limit)
65 cm

Lula-vulgar / European squid - dorsal mantle

1 country

min 10 cm

Portugal
Lula-vulgar / European squid (Loligo vulgaris) - dorsal mantle
10 cm

Mackerels

1 country

min 19 cm

Gambia
19 cm

Makrell

1 country

min 30 cm

Norway
Makrell (mackerel)
30 cm

Mangrove crab

1 country

min 12 cm

French Polynesia
Mangrove crab (upai, Scylla serrata)
12 cm

Manguruyú

1 country

min 100 cm

Paraguay
100 cm

Maori / humphead wrasse

1 country

min 65 cm

Solomon Islands
Maori / humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus)
65 cm

Marbré

1 country

min 30 cm

France
Marbré (Striped seabream, Lithognathus mormyrus)
30 cm

Masghati

1 country

min 58 cm

Iran
58 cm

Megrim

1 country

min 20 cm

Isle of Man
Megrim (Lepidorhombus spp.)
20 cm

Merluza

1 country

min 35 cm

Uruguay
Merluza (Merluccius hubbsi)
35 cm

Mero / Grouper

1 country

min 50 cm

Mexico
Mero / Grouper (Epinephelus spp.)
50 cm

Migratory trout / sea trout

1 country

min 50 cm

Finland
Migratory trout / sea trout (without adipose fin, where allowed)
50 cm

Monkfish / anglerfish

1 country

min 30 cm

Cyprus
Monkfish / anglerfish (Lophius spp. / Πεσκαντρίτσα)
30 cm

Mud crab

1 country

min 12 cm

Solomon Islands
Mud crab (Scylla serrata)
12 cm

Mulet

1 country

min 30 cm

France
Mulet (Mullet)
30 cm

Mullets

1 country

min 16 cm

Cyprus
Mullets (Mugil spp. / Κέφαλοι)
16 cm

Narrow Barred Spanish Mackerel

1 country

min 30 cm

Israel
Narrow Barred Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson)
30 cm

Naso hexacanthus

1 country

min 54 cm

Tonga
Naso hexacanthus (Ume atu)
54 cm

Naso lituratus

1 country

min 22 cm

Tonga
Naso lituratus (Ume lei)
22 cm

Naso lopezi

1 country

min 32 cm

Tonga
Naso lopezi (Ume atu)
32 cm

Naso unicornis

1 country

min 32 cm

Tonga
Naso unicornis (Ume / 'Ume kaki)
32 cm

Nile perch - recreational slot limit

1 country

min 50.8 cm

Uganda
Nile perch (Lates niloticus) - recreational slot limit
50.8 cm

Oblade

1 country

min 23 cm

France
Oblade (Oblada melanura)
23 cm

Octopus

1 country

min 60 cm

Tonga
Octopus (Feke)
60 cm

Ormer

1 country

min 9 cm

Jersey
9 cm

Other allowable Parrotfish

1 country

min 22.86 cm

United States Virgin Islands
Other allowable Parrotfish (fork length, St. Croix EEZ)
22.86 cm

Oursin

1 country

min 7 cm

France
Oursin (Sea urchin, diameter without spines)
7 cm

Pacú

1 country

min 45 cm

Paraguay
45 cm

Pageot

1 country

min 23 cm

France
Pageot (Pandora, Pagellus)
23 cm

Pargo-legitimo / Common seabream

1 country

min 20 cm

Portugal
Pargo-legitimo / Common seabream (Pagrus pagrus)
20 cm

Patí

1 country

min 70 cm

Paraguay
70 cm

Pearl oyster shell

1 country

min 10 cm

Fiji
Pearl oyster shell (minimum nacre length)
10 cm

Perch

1 country

min 16 cm

Estonia
Perch (sea)
16 cm

Pescadilla

1 country

min 27 cm

Uruguay
Pescadilla (Cynoscion striatus)
27 cm

Picot rayé / striped rabbitfish

1 country

min 20 cm

New Caledonia
Picot rayé / striped rabbitfish (Siganus lineatus)
20 cm

Rabbitfish - 'manahak' juvenile threshold

1 country

min 7.6 cm

Guam
Rabbitfish (Siganidae) - 'manahak' juvenile threshold
7.6 cm

Rainbow trout

1 country

min 25 cm

Liechtenstein
Rainbow trout (Regenbogenforelle)
25 cm

Red mullet / surmullet

1 country

min 11 cm

Cyprus
Red mullet / surmullet (Mullus spp. / Μπαρμπούνι, στρίλια)
11 cm

Red mullets

1 country

min 11 cm

Malta
Red mullets (Mullus spp.)
11 cm

Red porgy / common seabream

1 country

min 18 cm

Cyprus
Red porgy / common seabream (Pagrus pagrus / Φαγγρί)
18 cm

Red Sea Bream

1 country

min 25 cm

Jersey
25 cm

Red snappers

1 country

min 16 cm

Ghana
Red snappers (Lutjanus fulgens/goreensis)
16 cm

Red steenbras

1 country

min 40 cm

South Africa
40 cm

Red-margined sea perch

1 country

min 25 cm

Kiribati
Red-margined sea perch (Lutjanus fulvus)
25 cm

Redband Parrotfish

1 country

min 20.32 cm

United States Virgin Islands
Redband Parrotfish (fork length, St. Croix EEZ)
20.32 cm

River fish

1 country

min 12 cm

French Polynesia
River fish (nato, Kuhlia marginata)
12 cm

River marinka

1 country

min 18 cm

Kyrgyzstan
River marinka (маринка речная)
18 cm

River osman

1 country

min 15 cm

Kyrgyzstan
River osman (осман речной)
15 cm

River prawns

1 country

min 6 cm

French Polynesia
River prawns (chevrettes / oura pape)
6 cm

Roach

1 country

min 12 cm

Kyrgyzstan
Roach (плотва)
12 cm

Robalo-legitimo / European seabass

1 country

min 36 cm

Portugal
Robalo-legitimo / European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
36 cm

Rock lobster carapace

1 country

min 7.5 cm

Vanuatu
Rock lobster (Panulirus spp.) carapace
7.5 cm

Rødspette

1 country

min 29 cm

Norway
Rødspette (plaice)
29 cm

Round/Flat sardine

1 country

min 18 cm

Ghana
Round/Flat sardine (Sardinella aurita/maderensis)
18 cm

Rubberlip Grunt

1 country

min 25 cm

Gambia
25 cm

Rudd

1 country

min 10 cm

Kyrgyzstan
Rudd (красноперка)
10 cm

Saithe

1 country

min 35 cm

Isle of Man
Saithe (Pollachius virens)
35 cm

Salmonete-legitimo / Striped red mullet

1 country

min 18 cm

Portugal
Salmonete-legitimo / Striped red mullet (Mullus surmuletus)
18 cm

Sar commun

1 country

min 23 cm

France
Sar commun (White seabream, Diplodus sargus)
23 cm

Sardinella

1 country

min 12 cm

Gambia
12 cm

Sargo bicudo

1 country

min 22 cm

Portugal
Sargo bicudo (Diplodus puntazzo)
22 cm

Sargo legitimo / White seabream

1 country

min 17 cm

Portugal
Sargo legitimo / White seabream (Diplodus sargus)
17 cm

Sargo safia

1 country

min 17 cm

Portugal
Sargo safia (Diplodus vulgaris)
17 cm

Sargo veado

1 country

min 27 cm

Portugal
Sargo veado (Diplodus cervinus)
27 cm

Sazan / wild carp

1 country

min 20 cm

Kyrgyzstan
Sazan / wild carp (сазан)
20 cm

Scarus ghobban

1 country

min 41 cm

Tonga
Scarus ghobban (Hohomo)
41 cm

Scarus globiceps

1 country

min 29 cm

Tonga
Scarus globiceps (Hohomo)
29 cm

Scarus schlegeli

1 country

min 26 cm

Tonga
Scarus schlegeli (Hohomo)
26 cm

Sea breams

1 country

min 23 cm

Gambia
23 cm

Sea snakes

1 country

min 60 cm

Japan
Sea snakes (Okinawa)
60 cm

Sea trout

1 country

min 50 cm

Estonia
50 cm

Sea urchin

1 country

min 9 cm

Grenada
Sea urchin (diameter)
9 cm

Sei — south of 62°N

1 country

min 40–45 cm

Norway
Sei (saithe) — south of 62°N
40 cm
Norway
Sei (saithe) — north of 62°N
45 cm

Shads/Bonga

1 country

min 15 cm

Gambia
15 cm

Sharpsnout seabream

1 country

min 18 cm

Cyprus
Sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo / Ούγαινα)
18 cm

Sharpsnout seabream / sarago pizzuto

1 country

min 18 cm

Italy
Sharpsnout seabream / sarago pizzuto (Diplodus puntazzo)
18 cm

Shrimp

1 country

min 10 cm

Bahrain
10 cm

Siganus argenteus

1 country

min 20 cm

Tonga
Siganus argenteus (Ma'ava)
20 cm

Siganus fuscescens

1 country

min 20 cm

Tonga
Siganus fuscescens (Ma'ava)
20 cm

Siganus spinus

1 country

min 14 cm

Tonga
Siganus spinus (oo)
14 cm

Siganus vermiculatus

1 country

min 25 cm

Tonga
Siganus vermiculatus (Pongongo)
25 cm

Silver biddy

1 country

min 15 cm

Kiribati
Silver biddy (Gerres sp.)
15 cm

Silver Mouth Turban / Turbo argyrostomus

1 country

min 6 cm

Japan
Silver Mouth Turban / Turbo argyrostomus (Okinawa)
6 cm

Skate/Ray

1 country

min 30 cm

Guernsey
Skate/Ray (Raja spp. and others)
30 cm

Slipper lobster

1 country

min 15 cm

Vanuatu
Slipper lobster (Parribacus caledonicus)
15 cm

Slipper/reef lobster

1 country

min 14 cm

French Polynesia
Slipper/reef lobster (tianee, Parribacus holthuisi)
14 cm

Small Giant Clam / Noah's giant clam

1 country

min 15 cm

Japan
Small Giant Clam / Noah's giant clam (Okinawa)
15 cm

Solefish

1 country

min 30 cm

Gambia
30 cm

Sompat Grunt

1 country

min 25 cm

Gambia
25 cm

Spangled emperor

1 country

min 55 cm

Kiribati
Spangled emperor (Lethrinus nebulosus)
55 cm

Spiny lobsters / slipper lobsters

1 country

min 20 cm

Japan
Spiny lobsters / slipper lobsters (Okinawa, body length)
20 cm

Spotted spiny lobster

1 country

min 10 cm

Dominican Republic
Spotted spiny lobster (langosta pinta, Panulirus guttatus)
10 cm

Stone crab

1 country

min 10.2 cm

Bahamas
Stone crab (claw minimum 4 inches / ~10.2 cm)
10.2 cm

Strepie

1 country

min 15 cm

South Africa
Strepie (karanteen)
15 cm

Striped seabream

1 country

min 20 cm

Cyprus
Striped seabream (Lithognathus mormyrus / Μούρμουρος)
20 cm

Surubí

1 country

min 85 cm

Paraguay
Surubí (pintado)
85 cm

Surubí atigrado

1 country

min 80 cm

Paraguay
80 cm

Swordfish / pesce spada

1 country

min 100 cm

Italy
Swordfish / pesce spada (Xiphias gladius)
100 cm

Taimen

1 country

min 70 cm

Mongolia
Taimen (Hucho taimen)
70 cm

Tapatapa

1 country

min 8 cm

Niue
8 cm

Threadfins

1 country

min 60 cm

Gambia
60 cm

Torsk — south of 62°N

1 country

min 40–55 cm

Norway
Torsk (cod) — south of 62°N
40 cm
Norway
Torsk (cod) — north of 62°N, outside 4 nm
44 cm
Norway
Torsk (cod) — north of 62°N, inside 4 nm
55 cm

Trout / salmonids

1 country

min 18 cm

Andorra
Trout / salmonids (general waters)
18 cm

Trumpet shell

1 country

min 20 cm

Vanuatu
Trumpet shell (Charonia tritonis)
20 cm

Turbot

1 country

min 30 cm

Jersey
30 cm

Two-banded seabream

1 country

min 18 cm

Cyprus
Two-banded seabream (Diplodus vulgaris / Χαρατζίδα)
18 cm

Uga - thoracic length

1 country

min 3.6 cm

Niue
Uga (coconut crab) - thoracic length
3.6 cm

Velvet Crab

1 country

min 6.5 cm

Jersey
6.5 cm

Vendace

1 country

min 10 cm

Estonia
10 cm

Vimba

1 country

min 26 cm

Estonia
26 cm

Wahoo - federal EEZ min fork length

1 country

min 81.3 cm

Puerto Rico
Wahoo (peto) - federal EEZ min fork length (32 in)
81.3 cm

Whelk / West Indian Top Snail

1 country

min 6.19 cm

United States Virgin Islands
Whelk / West Indian Top Snail (shell diameter)
6.19 cm

White Grouper

1 country

min 40 cm

Israel
White Grouper (Epinephelus aeneus)
40 cm

White sea-bream

1 country

min 23 cm

Malta
White sea-bream (Diplodus sargus)
23 cm

White seabream / sarago maggiore

1 country

min 23 cm

Italy
White seabream / sarago maggiore (Diplodus sargus)
23 cm

Wild ormer

1 country

min 8 cm

Guernsey
Wild ormer (Haliotis tuberculata)
8 cm

Yellow-blue sea perch

1 country

min 15 cm

Kiribati
Yellow-blue sea perch (Lutjanus kasmira)
15 cm

Zardeh

1 country

min 62 cm

Iran
62 cm

Zob gris

1 country

min 32 cm

Seychelles
Zob gris (Green jobfish, Aprion virescens)
32 cm

Sizes are minimum legal landing sizes pulled from each country's catch-limit rules. Protected-species entries are quoted from national regulations. Always confirm with the official source on the country page before diving.