SpearfishingMap

Djibouti

Africa · Eastern Africa

Spearfishing (chasse sous-marine) is prohibited throughout Djibouti's territorial waters. Decree No. 85-103/PR/AG of 28 October 1985 'temporarily' banned underwater hunting in any form and prohibited even the possession of a speargun (fusil sous-marin) aboard any vessel or on the beaches. This prohibition has never been lifted and remains in force. Djibouti also bans trawling and restricts all fishing to artisanal methods; professional fishing licences are reserved to Djiboutian nationals and Djibouti-registered vessels under the 2002 Fisheries Code and its 2007 implementing decrees. Non-professional (recreational/pleasure) fishing licences are available to residents but the authorised gear is limited (hook-and-line, hand gaff) and does not include any underwater hunting equipment. Additional protections apply inside the national marine protected areas created by Law No. 45/AN/04/5e L of 27 March 2004.

Prohibited
Confianza de los datosConfianza alta

Última actualización junio 14, 2026

Marco regulador

  • §Decree No. 85-103/PR/AG of 28 October 1985 on the protection of fauna and submarine grounds, amending Decree No. 80-062 (bans underwater hunting and spearguns)
  • §Law No. 187/AN/02/4e L of 9 September 2002 (Code des Peches / Fisheries Code)
  • §Decree No. 2007-0014/PR/MAEM (implementing the Fisheries Code)
  • §Arrete No. 2007-0036/PR/MAEM of 17 January 2007 regulating the grant of fishing licences
  • §Law No. 45/AN/04/5e L of 27 March 2004 establishing terrestrial and marine protected areas
  • §Law No. 52/AN/78 of 9 January 1979 on the Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, EEZ, Maritime Boundaries and the Exercise of Fishing
Licencia obligatoria
Obligatoria
Fusil de pesca
Prohibido
Extranjeros
No permitido
Máx. de arpones
0

La ley, literal

Textos legales

Las disposiciones legales y reglamentarias exactas que regulan la pesca submarina aquí, citadas tal como están publicadas, con un enlace a cada fuente oficial.

01Article 1erRepublic of Djibouti · national

Underwater hunting prohibited in territorial waters

Decret n° 85-103/PR/AG du 28/10/85 portant sur la protection de la faune et des fonds sous-marins et modifiant le decret n° 80-062

FROriginal

La chasse sous-marine est, sous quelque forme que ce soit, interdite momentanement dans les limites des eaux territoriales de la Republique de Djibouti.

02Article 2Republic of Djibouti · national

Possession of a speargun prohibited

Decret n° 85-103/PR/AG du 28/10/85 portant sur la protection de la faune et des fonds sous-marins et modifiant le decret n° 80-062

FROriginal

La detention d'un fusil sous-marin de quelque type que ce soit a bord d'une embarcation ou sur les plages est interdite.

03Article 3Republic of Djibouti · national

Protection of marine mammals and turtles

Decret n° 85-103/PR/AG du 28/10/85 portant sur la protection de la faune et des fonds sous-marins et modifiant le decret n° 80-062

FROriginal

La chasse, le commerce, l'exportation des mammiferes marins, notamment, dauphins, cachalots, des dugongs et des tortues marines et terrestres et de leurs oeufs sont interdits sur l'ensemble du territoire marin et terrestre de la Republique de Djibouti. Seul, sera autorise le commerce des carapaces de tortues accompagnees d'un certificat prouvant leur origine etrangere.

04Article 4Republic of Djibouti · national

Musha territorial park - all fishing and coral/shell collection prohibited

Decret n° 85-103/PR/AG du 28/10/85 portant sur la protection de la faune et des fonds sous-marins et modifiant le decret n° 80-062

FROriginal

Le parc territorial de Musha est maintenu. Il s'etend sur la base madreporique situee a l'est d'une ligne passant par le phare de Musha a la pointe ouest de l'ile du large delimitee : Au nord, par le point latitude 11°45' nord et longitude 43°12'6 est ; Au nord, par le point latitude 11°41'12 nord et longitude 43°13' est. Les activites de peche, sous quelque forme que ce soit, le ramassage du corail et des coquillages y sont interdits ; exception faite pour les pecheurs professionnels djiboutiens dans la zone du banc Dankali uniquement pour le poisson, mais il leur sera egalement interdit de ramasser du corail et des coquillages.

05Article 5Republic of Djibouti · national

Maskali-Sud reserve - only line fishing by nationals permitted

Decret n° 85-103/PR/AG du 28/10/85 portant sur la protection de la faune et des fonds sous-marins et modifiant le decret n° 80-062

FROriginal

Il est cree une zone de reserve a Maskali-Sud, zone comprise entre le phare de Maskali et le grand banc de sable de la cote du tombant. Le ramassage du corail et des coquillages y sont interdits. Seule la peche a la ligne effectuee par les professionnels nationaux y est autorisee.

06Articles 6 et 7Republic of Djibouti · national

Organised non-professional fishing suspended; permit and personal-consumption rule

Decret n° 85-103/PR/AG du 28/10/85 portant sur la protection de la faune et des fonds sous-marins et modifiant le decret n° 80-062

FROriginal

Article 6 : Toute activite organisee de peche a des fins non professionnelles est en Republique de Djibouti suspendue momentanement. Article 7 : Les pecheurs non professionnels doivent etre munis d'un permis delivre par le service des Affaires maritimes, portant le visa de l'Office de developpement du Tourisme et celui du service de l'Elevage et des Peches. Les modalites d'etablissement de ces permis de peche et leur validite seront fixees par arrete. Le produit de leur peche doit correspondre uniquement a leur consommation personnelle.

07Article 11Republic of Djibouti · national

Penalties and seizure of hunting weapons and diving gear

Decret n° 85-103/PR/AG du 28/10/85 portant sur la protection de la faune et des fonds sous-marins et modifiant le decret n° 80-062

FROriginal

Les infractions au present decret seront punies d'une amende de 4e categorie (300.000 FD a 2.000.000 FD). En cas de recidive, une peine de 4e categorie sera appliquee (3 mois a 1 an d'emprisonnement et 300.000 FD a 2.000.000 FD d'amende). En outre, la saisie obligatoire des armes de chasse, des scaphandres et des embarcations qui ont servi a commettre l'infraction sera faite par l'agent verbalisateur.

08Articles 2 et 3Republic of Djibouti · national

Only artisanal fishing permitted; licence reserved to nationals

Arrete n° 2007-0036/PR/MAEM du 17 janvier 2007 portant reglementation de l'octroi des licences de peche

FROriginal

Article 2 : Seule la peche artisanale est autorisee en Republique de Djibouti. Article 3 : La licence de peche professionnelle est accordee aux ressortissants Djiboutiens et aux bateaux de peche immatricules en Republique de Djibouti. Toute personne se livrant a la peche professionnelle doit etre munie d'une carte de pecheur delivree par la Direction de la Peche. Il est strictement interdit a tout detenteur d'une licence de Peche Professionnelle de transporter des passagers a bord de son embarcation.

09Article 4Republic of Djibouti · national

Fisherman's card conditions (nationality / Djibouti-registered vessel)

Arrete n° 2007-0036/PR/MAEM du 17 janvier 2007 portant reglementation de l'octroi des licences de peche

FROriginal

Article 4 : L'obtention de la carte de pecheur est assujettie aux conditions suivantes : - disposer de la nationalite djiboutienne ou exercer la peche a bord d'un bateau de peche immatricule a Djibouti ; - justifier sa condition de pecheur.

10Articles 7 et 8Republic of Djibouti · national

Non-professional (recreational/pleasure) fishing licence and authorised gear

Arrete n° 2007-0036/PR/MAEM du 17 janvier 2007 portant reglementation de l'octroi des licences de peche

FROriginal

Article 7 : La licence de peche non professionnelle peut etre accordee a toute personne physique ou morale residant en Republique de Djibouti. Article 8 : Les beneficiaires de la licence de peche non professionnelle doivent utiliser les techniques de peche suivantes : - 1 gaffe (type pecheur) a bout recourbe. (...) En aucun cas, le produit de cette peche ne peut etre commercialise.

Cuándo puedes bucear

Temporadas y restricciones horarias

Periodos de veda, de apertura y restringidos a lo largo del año. Confirma siempre localmente las vedas específicas de cada especie.

Ene
Feb
Mar
Abr
May
Jun
Jul
Ago
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dic
VedaRestringidoAbierto
  • VedaSpearfishing / underwater hunting (chasse sous-marine) - all species, all yearEne 1 – Dic 31

    Spearfishing is prohibited year-round throughout territorial waters under Decree No. 85-103/PR/AG (Article 1). The ban is described as 'temporary' (momentanement) in the text but has remained continuously in force since 1985.

Permiso para pescar

Licencia

Qué necesitas para poder estar en el agua, cuánto cuesta y cómo conseguirlo.

Licencia obligatoriaa través de Direction de la Peche (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Maritime Economy - MAEM); Service des Affaires Maritimes for non-professional permits

Application to the Direction de la Peche using the official forms (annexes 1 and 2 of Arrete 2007-0036), with technical opinion of the Direction de la Peche and payment of fees. Not applicable to spearfishing, which is prohibited.

Consigue tu licencia

Abre el portal oficial · faolex.fao.org

Licencia obligatoria
Tipo
No spearfishing licence exists - spearfishing is banned outright. For other fishing: a 'licence de peche non professionnelle' (recreational/pleasure) for residents, or a 'licence de peche professionnelle' plus 'carte de pecheur' (reserved to Djiboutian nationals / Djibouti-registered vessels).
Coste
Set by annex 4 of Arrete 2007-0036/PR/MAEM; specific Djiboutian Franc (FD) amounts are listed per licence category in the decree's fee schedule (exact figures not extracted).
Validez
Fishing licence expires on 31 December of the year of issue; renewal must be requested at least 30 days before expiry (Arrete 2007-0036, Art. 13).
Cómo obtenerla
Application to the Direction de la Peche using the official forms (annexes 1 and 2 of Arrete 2007-0036), with technical opinion of the Direction de la Peche and payment of fees. Not applicable to spearfishing, which is prohibited.
Autoridad
Direction de la Peche (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Maritime Economy - MAEM); Service des Affaires Maritimes for non-professional permits

Equipo y técnica

Normas de equipo

Qué equipo está permitido, cómo puede usarse y las condiciones asociadas.

Fusil de pescaProhibido
Máx. de arpones0

Restricciones

  • Spearguns (fusil sous-marin) of any type are prohibited aboard vessels or on beaches (Decree 85-103, Art. 2).
  • Underwater hunting in any form is prohibited (Decree 85-103, Art. 1).
  • Hunting weapons, diving apparatus (scaphandres) and boats used to commit an offence are subject to mandatory seizure (Decree 85-103, Art. 11).
  • Only artisanal fishing methods are permitted nationally; trawling (chalutage) is banned.
  • Authorised gear for non-professional licence holders is limited (e.g., one curved-tip gaff / hook-and-line), with no underwater hunting equipment (Arrete 2007-0036, Art. 8).

There is no legal way to use a speargun in Djibouti. Even mere possession of a speargun on a boat or beach is an offence. Scuba diving for tourism is widely practiced and legal, but combining diving with fishing/hunting is not.

Lo que puedes capturar

Límites de captura y especies protegidas

Cuotas diarias, tallas mínimas y especies que nunca deben capturarse.

Límite diario

Not applicable to spearfishing (banned). For non-professional licensed fishing, the catch must be for personal consumption only and may not be sold/commercialised (Decree 85-103 Art. 7; Arrete 2007-0036 Art. 8).

Especies protegidas — no capturar

  • ProtegidaDolphins (dauphins)
  • ProtegidaSperm whales / large cetaceans (cachalots)
  • ProtegidaDugongs
  • ProtegidaMarine and terrestrial turtles and their eggs (tortues marines et terrestres et leurs oeufs)
  • ProtegidaCoral (coraux)
  • ProtegidaShellfish / molluscs (coquillages)

Decree 85-103 (Art. 3) prohibits the hunting, trade and export of marine mammals (dolphins, sperm whales, dugongs) and sea/land turtles and their eggs throughout Djibouti. Articles 4-5 and 8 also restrict or suspend coral and shellfish collection.

Quién puede pescar

Visitantes y residentes

Cómo difieren las normas para los visitantes extranjeros y los residentes locales.

Visitantes extranjeros

No permitido

Restricciones

  • Spearfishing is banned for everyone, residents and foreigners alike (Decree 85-103, Art. 1).
  • Professional fishing licences and the fisherman's card are reserved to Djiboutian nationals and Djibouti-registered vessels (Arrete 2007-0036, Arts. 3-4).
  • A Djiboutian fronting as the owner of a foreign vessel to obtain a licence, and any foreign vessel fishing in Djiboutian waters without authorisation, face fines up to 4,000,000 FD (Arrete 2007-0036, Art. 6).
  • Non-professional (recreational) fishing licences are available only to natural or legal persons resident in Djibouti (Arrete 2007-0036, Art. 7).

Foreign tourists cannot legally spearfish in Djibouti. Recreational (non-professional) fishing licences require residency in Djibouti; professional fishing is reserved to nationals/registered vessels.

Residentes

Licence de peche non professionnelle (recreational/pleasure) for residents; licence de peche professionnelle + carte de pecheur for Djiboutian-national professionals.

Requisitos

  • Be a natural or legal person resident in Djibouti for a non-professional licence (Arrete 2007-0036, Art. 7).
  • For the fisherman's card: hold Djiboutian nationality or fish aboard a Djibouti-registered vessel, and justify one's status as a fisher (Art. 4).
  • Use only authorised gear; catch is for personal consumption and cannot be sold (Arts. 7-8).

Even resident/national licence holders may not spearfish: Decree 85-103 bans underwater hunting and spearguns for all persons without exception.

Dónde en la costa

Zonas permitidas y prohibidas

Áreas concretas abiertas o cerradas a la pesca submarina. Consulta el panorama completo en el mapa interactivo.

Áreas prohibidas

Condiciones en el agua

Condiciones en vivo

Instantánea en vivo del mar y el tiempo cerca de un punto de referencia costero en Djibouti, de Open-Meteo. Las condiciones varían a lo largo de la costa; tómalo como orientativo.

Estado del mar y el tiempo en vivo cerca de Territorial waters of the Republic of Djibouti (entire).

Condiciones

A quién preguntar

Autoridades

Los organismos oficiales responsables de la pesca y las licencias.

  • Direction de la Peche (Directorate of Fisheries)

    fisheries authority

    fao.orgUnder the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Livestock and Maritime Resources (MAEPE-RH / formerly MAEM)
  • Service des Affaires Maritimes (Maritime Affairs Service)

    maritime authority

    Issues non-professional fishing permits; enforcement of Decree 85-103
  • Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Maritime Economy (MAEM)

    fisheries / agriculture ministry

    ministere-finances.djTutelle ministry for the fisheries sector and licensing
  • Ministry of Environment (Aires Protegees / protected areas)

    environment ministry

    Responsible for marine protected areas under Law 45/AN/04

De dónde proviene

Fuentes

Cada afirmación de esta página se remonta a una de estas referencias.

  1. [01]

    Decret n° 85-103/PR/AG du 28/10/85 portant sur la protection de la faune et des fonds sous-marins et modifiant le decret n° 80-062 (full text)

    Oficial
    faolex.fao.orgConsultado Jun 14
  2. [02]

    Arrete n° 2007-0036/PR/MAEM du 17 janvier 2007 portant reglementation de l'octroi des licences de peche (full text)

    Oficial
    faolex.fao.orgConsultado Jun 14
  3. [03]

    Decret n° 2007-0014/PR/MAEM pris en application de la Loi n° 187/AN/02/4eme L portant Code des Peches

    Oficial
    faolex.fao.orgConsultado Jun 14
  4. [04]

    FAOLEX Database - Djibouti country profile (fisheries legislation index)

    Oficial
    fao.orgConsultado Jun 14
  5. [05]

    Republique de Djibouti, Ministere des Finances - Secteur de la Peche (Code des Peches 2002, ban on trawling, artisanal-only, Aires Protegees Law 45/AN/04, decision to prohibit chasse sous-marine)

    Oficial
    ministere-finances.djConsultado Jun 14
  6. [06]

    Republique de Djibouti, Ministere des Finances - Secteur de la Peche (protected areas, Law 45/AN/04/5e L of 27 March 2004)

    Oficial
    ministere-finances.djConsultado Jun 14
  7. [07]

    FAO Fishery and Aquaculture Country Profile - Djibouti

    Oficial
    fao.orgConsultado Jun 14
  8. [08]

    The Outlaw Ocean Project - Global Fishing Legislative Database: Djibouti (Code des peches; Decree 2007-0014/PR/MAEM)

    Secundaria
    theoutlawocean.comConsultado Jun 14

Notas del investigador

Spearfishing (chasse sous-marine) is illegal in Djibouti for everyone. The governing instrument is Decree No. 85-103/PR/AG of 28 October 1985 (note: many secondary sources cite the number as 85-103/PRE, but the official FAOLEX text reads 85-103/PR/AG). Article 1 bans underwater hunting in any form within the territorial sea; Article 2 bans even possessing a speargun on a boat or beach; Article 11 provides fines of 300,000-2,000,000 FD (and imprisonment of 3 months-1 year on repeat offence) plus mandatory seizure of hunting weapons, diving gear and boats. Although the 1985 ban is worded as 'temporary' (momentanement), it has never been repealed and remains in force per the Ministry of Finance fisheries pages and dive-tourism sources. Djibouti more broadly permits only artisanal fishing (no trawling), reserves professional fishing to nationals/registered vessels (Fisheries Code Law 187/AN/02 and Arrete 2007-0036), and offers non-professional/pleasure fishing licences only to residents using limited hook-and-line/gaff gear for personal consumption. Marine mammals, turtles, coral and shellfish are protected. Several marine protected areas (Iles Moucha-Maskali, Sept Freres, Ras Siyan/Khor Angar/Godoria, Douda-Haramous) were established by Law No. 45/AN/04/5e L of 27 March 2004. Coordinates for protected zones are approximate (derived from island/lighthouse locations and the decree's boundary points) except the Musha park boundary points, which are quoted verbatim from the decree. Confidence is high: the core prohibition and licensing rules come from verbatim official legal texts retrieved from FAOLEX. The full verbatim text of the 2002 Fisheries Code (Law 187/AN/02) itself was not separately extracted; its content is reflected via the implementing Arrete 2007-0036 and FAO/Ministry sources.

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