SpearfishingMap

Gibraltar

Europe · Southern Europe

Spearfishing (defined in law as 'underwater fishing with or without a weapon') is legal in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters but tightly regulated under the Marine Protection Regulations 2014 (made under the Nature Protection Act 1991). It requires a Class C permit issued by the Department of the Environment. A full Class C permit is issued only to residents (proof of residency, 3-year validity); non-residents may obtain a temporary Class C permit (14-day validity), with no more than 5 temporary permits in use across the territory on any given day. Minimum age is 16; a valid medical certificate and insurance are mandatory. Breathing apparatus (scuba) is prohibited while spearfishing and a demarcation buoy is required. Underwater fishing is banned between sunset and sunrise, banned in the hatched areas of designated Marine Conservation Zones (Schedule 1), and at six named beaches it is permitted only between 1 October and 30 April. Schedule 2 species enjoy special protection and Schedule 4 sets minimum landing sizes.

Restricted
Confianza de los datosConfianza alta

Última actualización abril 9, 2026

Marco regulador

  • §Nature Protection Act 1991 (1991-11)
  • §Marine Protection Regulations 2014 (LN. 2014/180; commencement 1.1.2015; as amended to LN. 2026/074)
Licencia obligatoria
Obligatoria
Fusil de pesca
Permitido
Escafandra
Prohibido
Extranjeros
Bienvenidos

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.

01Regulation 19Gibraltar · national

Class C permits (Underwater fishing with or without a weapon)

Marine Protection Regulations 2014 (LN. 2014/180)

ENOriginal

19.(1) Subject to the following provisions of these Regulations, a permit granted for the purposes of this regulation (a “Class C permit”) shall entitle the person to whom it was granted, and no others, to undertake underwater fishing with or without a weapon, in accordance with the terms of the permit, for such period as is so specified. (2) A full Class C permit shall only be issued upon proof of residency. (3) Non-residents may apply for a temporary Class C permit. (4) A Class C permit shall not be issued to any person under 16 years of age.

02Regulation 20Gibraltar · national

Class C permits - Duration and restrictions (validity, catch limits)

Marine Protection Regulations 2014 (LN. 2014/180)

ENOriginal

20.(1) A full Class C permit shall be valid for a period of 3 years. (2) A temporary Class C permit shall be valid for a period of 14 days. (3) A person may not apply for more than one temporary Class C permit per 3 calendar months. (4) The Authority shall ensure that no more than 5 temporary Class C permits may be in use on any given day. (5) Subject to regulation 20(6), a temporary Class C permit holder is only allowed no more than– (a) 5 kilograms of fish; and (b) one additional specimen. (6) Where there is more than one Class C permit holder on board a vessel at any point in time, no more than– (a) 10 kilograms of fish; and (b) one additional specimen, may be caught or held on board.

03Regulation 21Gibraltar · national

Class C permits - Conditions and prohibitions (no scuba, no night fishing, seasonal beach limits, MCZ ban)

Marine Protection Regulations 2014 (LN. 2014/180)

ENOriginal

21.(1) Notwithstanding the generality of regulation 19(1), a Class C permit shall not− (a) entitle any person to fish in a manner contrary to the provisions of section 10 of the Act; (b) confer any right to fish at a place or a time at which the permit holder is not otherwise entitled to fish; (c) allow the taking of any wild animal which is otherwise prohibited by the Act; (d) allow the transhipment of catches between vessels; (e) allow underwater fishing with or without a weapon between the hours of sunset and sunrise; (f) allow underwater fishing with or without a weapon in the hatched areas within the Marine Conservation Zone demarcated in Schedule 1; (2) A Class C permit shall be subject to the following conditions– (a) underwater fishing with or without a weapon shall be the only form of fishing permitted; (b) the permit shall only be issued upon receipt of evidence of a valid medical certificate and insurance cover; (c) such conditions as are imposed in relation to the collection of species in need of special protection measures pursuant to regulation 5; (d) persons engaged in underwater fishing with or without a weapon shall require a demarcation buoy and may not use breathing apparatus; (e) in the following areas underwater fishing with or without a weapon shall only be permitted during the period 1 October and 30 April – (i) Eastern Beach; (ii) Catalan Bay; (iii) Sandy Bay; (iv) Camp Bay; (v) Little Bay; (vi) Western Beach; (g) a record of fish caught or taken shall be kept by the permit holder and be made available for inspection by the Authority on request. (h) any other condition or conditions as may be specified after consultation with the Nature Conservancy Council.

04Regulation 3(1)Gibraltar · national

Protection of the marine environment - control of spear guns and weapons

Marine Protection Regulations 2014 (LN. 2014/180)

ENOriginal

3.(1) No person shall, except in accordance with a permission granted by the Authority under these Regulations, in the marine nature area– (a) hunt, shoot or capture any sea-living creature by any means; (b) collect or use anything spontaneously produced by wildlife; (c) introduce any animal or plant which is of a kind not ordinarily resident or which is not a regular visitor to Gibraltar, as the case may be; or (d) subject to subregulation (2), take into, or use in, the marine nature area any type of firearm, air gun, spear gun, cross bow, bow and arrow or any type of weapon intended to project a missile or harpoon.

05Regulation 2 (Interpretation)Gibraltar · national

Definition of 'fishing' and 'Class C permit'

Marine Protection Regulations 2014 (LN. 2014/180)

ENOriginal

“Class C permit” means a permission to fish underwater with or without a weapon issued in accordance with regulations 19 to 22; ... “fishing” means the taking or killing of any wild animal and includes fishing from a vessel, underwater fishing with or without a weapon, shore-based fishing, bait collection and any other form of fishing, and the collecting or gathering of marine animals;

06Regulation 5Gibraltar · national

Species in need of special protection measures (one-specimen daily limit; reporting)

Marine Protection Regulations 2014 (LN. 2014/180)

ENOriginal

5.(1) The species listed in Schedule 2 shall be subject to the special protection measures set out in this regulation. (2) The daily catch, retention on board, or landing of more than one specimen or more than one species listed in Schedule 2 is prohibited unless it is specifically permitted under the terms of a permit issued under these Regulations. (3) All catches of species listed in Schedule 2 must be reported to the Authority within thirty days, in such form as the Authority requires. (4) The Authority may, after consultation with the Nature Conservancy Council, at any time prohibit the landing or retaining on board of any species listed in Schedule 2.

07Regulation 49Gibraltar · national

Penalties

Marine Protection Regulations 2014 (LN. 2014/180)

ENOriginal

49.(1) Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of these Regulations shall be guilty of an offence and liable− (a) on summary conviction to a fine up to level 5 on the standard scale and a period of imprisonment not exceeding three months; or (b) on conviction on indictment for a period of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years and a fine. (2) A court inquiring into the commission of an offence under these Regulations may, in addition to any penalty which may be imposed under subregulation (1), disqualify a person from holding a permit under these Regulations, for such period as it deems appropriate.

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
  • RestringidoEastern Beach, Catalan Bay, Sandy Bay, Camp Bay, Little Bay, Western BeachOct 1 – Abr 30

    At these six named beaches, underwater fishing with or without a weapon is only permitted during the period 1 October to 30 April (i.e. outside the bathing season). Reg 21(2)(e), Marine Protection Regulations 2014.

  • Restringidoall underwater fishingsunset – sunrise

    A Class C permit does not allow underwater fishing with or without a weapon between the hours of sunset and sunrise (no night spearfishing). Reg 21(1)(e), Marine Protection Regulations 2014.

Permiso para pescar

Licencia

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

Licencia obligatoriaa través de Department of the Environment, Government of Gibraltar

Apply to the Department of the Environment via the Marine Protection Regulations application form. Requires proof of residency (full permit), a valid medical certificate and insurance cover; applicant must be at least 16.

Consigue tu licencia

Abre el portal oficial · gibraltar.gov.gi

Licencia obligatoria
Tipo
Class C permit (underwater fishing with or without a weapon). Full Class C permit (residents, proof of residency) or temporary Class C permit (non-residents).
Coste
Prescribed fee set by the Authority (not specified in the Regulations text); contact the Department of the Environment.
Validez
Full Class C permit: 3 years. Temporary Class C permit: 14 days (max one temporary permit per person per 3 calendar months; no more than 5 temporary permits in use territory-wide on any given day).
Cómo obtenerla
Apply to the Department of the Environment via the Marine Protection Regulations application form. Requires proof of residency (full permit), a valid medical certificate and insurance cover; applicant must be at least 16.
Autoridad
Department of the Environment, Government of Gibraltar

Equipo y técnica

Normas de equipo

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

Fusil de pescaPermitido
EscafandraProhibido

Restricciones

  • A Class C permit allows underwater fishing 'with or without a weapon' (spear gun / harpoon permitted under permit).
  • Breathing apparatus (scuba / surface-demand air) may NOT be used while underwater fishing (reg 21(2)(d)) - free-diving only.
  • A demarcation buoy is required when engaged in underwater fishing (reg 21(2)(d)).
  • Outside a Class C permit it is an offence to take into or use in the marine nature area any spear gun, harpoon or other weapon intended to project a missile (reg 3(1)(d)); vessels exercising right of passage may carry but not use such weapons (reg 3(2)).
  • Transhipment of catches between vessels is prohibited (reg 21(1)(d)).

Spearfishing in Gibraltar is free-diving only. The speargun/harpoon is lawful only when held by a valid Class C permit holder; carrying or using such weapons in the marine nature area otherwise is an offence under regulation 3.

Lo que puedes capturar

Límites de captura y especies protegidas

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

Límite diario

Temporary Class C permit holder: max 5 kg of fish plus one additional specimen. Where more than one Class C permit holder is on board a vessel: max 10 kg of fish plus one additional specimen on board. No more than one specimen / one species of any Schedule 2 (specially protected) species may be caught, retained on board or landed per day unless specifically permitted.

Tallas mínimas

  • Dusky Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus / Mero)mín. 50 cm
  • Comb Grouper (Mycteroperca rubra / Gitano)mín. 45 cm
  • Dogtooth Grouper (Epinephelus caninus)mín. 45 cm
  • Common Dentex (Dentex dentex / Denton)mín. 35 cm
  • Common Seabream / Red Porgy (Pagrus pagrus / Pargo)mín. 28 cm
  • Common Pandora (Pagellus erythrinus / Breca)mín. 28 cm
  • Black Seabream (Spondyliosoma cantharus / Chopa)mín. 23 cm
  • Black Scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus / Rascacio)mín. 22 cm
  • Barracuda (Sphyraena sphyraena / Espeton)mín. 21 cm
  • Blacktail Comber (Serranus atricauda / Cabrilla)mín. 21 cm
  • Bogue (Boops boops / Boga)mín. 12 cm

Especies protegidas — no capturar

  • ProtegidaSwordfish (Xiphias gladius)
  • ProtegidaMarlins (Makaira spp.)
  • ProtegidaSpearfish (Tetrapturus spp.)
  • ProtegidaAtlantic White Marlin (Tetrapturus albidus)
  • ProtegidaAtlantic Sailfish (Istiophorus albicans)
  • ProtegidaEuropean Hake (Merluccius merluccius)
  • ProtegidaMeagre (Argyrosomus regius)
  • ProtegidaEuropean Lobster (Homarus gammarus)
  • ProtegidaSpiny lobster spp. (Palinurus spp.)
  • ProtegidaSchedule 4 'No take' species: most wrasses (Symphodus/Labrus spp.), gobies, damselfish, brown comber, brown meagre, several rays/sharks, cardinal fish (full list in Schedule 4)

Schedule 4 of the Marine Protection Regulations 2014 sets minimum landing sizes for ~150 species; many are marked 'No take'. A Minimum Fish Sizes list (latest July 2025) and a species identification booklet are published by the Department of the Environment. The size limits listed here are a representative subset of common spearfishing targets retrieved from Schedule 4. Schedule 2 species are subject to a one-specimen daily limit and 30-day catch reporting under regulation 5.

Quién puede pescar

Visitantes y residentes

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

Visitantes extranjeros

Permitido

Se requiere licencia especial

Requisitos

  • Apply for a temporary Class C permit (non-residents cannot obtain a full Class C permit, which requires proof of residency).
  • Must be at least 16 years old.
  • Must provide a valid medical certificate and insurance cover.
  • Use a demarcation buoy; no breathing apparatus (free-diving only).

Restricciones

  • Temporary Class C permit valid 14 days only.
  • No more than one temporary permit per person per 3 calendar months.
  • Territory-wide cap: no more than 5 temporary Class C permits in use on any given day.
  • Temporary permit catch limit: 5 kg of fish + one additional specimen (10 kg + one specimen if multiple permit holders on one vessel).
  • Spanish authorities have been reported to patrol the disputed waters; jurisdiction over BGTW is contested by Spain.

Non-residents (foreigners) may spearfish under a temporary Class C permit subject to the strict territory-wide daily cap of 5 permits, making access limited.

Residentes

Full Class C permit (underwater fishing with or without a weapon)

Requisitos

  • Proof of residency.
  • Minimum age 16.
  • Valid medical certificate and insurance cover.
  • Keep a record of fish caught/taken, available for inspection by the Authority.
  • Use a demarcation buoy; no breathing apparatus.

Ventajas

  • 3-year validity (vs 14 days for the temporary/non-resident permit).
  • Not subject to the territory-wide daily cap of 5 temporary permits.

Only residents can hold a full Class C permit; it is the standard permit for local spearfishers.

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 permitidas

  • Underwater fishing with or without a weapon is permitted across the marine nature area within BGTW under a valid Class C permit, except in the prohibited Marine Conservation Zone hatched areas and subject to the seasonal beach limits, night-fishing ban, scuba ban and catch limits.

    Class C permit required; no breathing apparatus; demarcation buoy required; no fishing sunset-sunrise; catch limits and minimum sizes apply; not in MCZ hatched areas.

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 Gibraltar, 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 North West Marine Conservation Zone (hatched areas).

Condiciones

A quién preguntar

Autoridades

Los organismos oficiales responsables de la pesca y las licencias.

  • Department of the Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change and Heritage (Government of Gibraltar)

    environment ministry / marine permitting authority

    gibraltar.gov.gi+350 200 48450; info.environment@gibraltar.gov.gi
  • Nature Conservancy Council (Gibraltar)

    statutory advisory body (consulted on permit limits and conditions)

De dónde proviene

Fuentes

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

  1. [01]

    Marine Protection Regulations 2014 (LN. 2014/180) - consolidated text

    Oficial
    gibraltarlaws.gov.giConsultado Jun 15
  2. [02]

    Nature Protection Act 1991 (enabling Act, Gibraltar Laws)

    Oficial
    gibraltarlaws.gov.giConsultado Jun 15
  3. [03]

    Marine Protection Permits - Department of the Environment (Government of Gibraltar)

    Oficial
    gibraltar.gov.giConsultado Jun 15
  4. [04]

    Marine Protection Regulations 2014 - Guidelines (Updated Sept 2021), Government of Gibraltar

    Oficial
    gibraltar.gov.giConsultado Jun 15
  5. [05]

    Thinking Green - Fishing Regulation (Government of Gibraltar)

    Oficial
    thinkinggreen.gov.giConsultado Jun 15
  6. [06]

    Spearfishing in Gibraltar - Nadir Spearfishing (community guide)

    community
    nadirspearfishing.comConsultado Jun 15

Notas del investigador

Spearfishing in Gibraltar is the legal activity 'underwater fishing with or without a weapon' regulated by a Class C permit under the Marine Protection Regulations 2014 (LN. 2014/180), made under ss.13, 18 and 24 of the Nature Protection Act 1991 (commenced 1.1.2015; amended through LN. 2026/074 effective 9.4.2026). Core rules verified verbatim from the official Gibraltar Laws consolidated text: free-diving only (no breathing apparatus), demarcation buoy required, no night fishing (sunset-sunrise), min age 16, medical certificate and insurance required, catch logging, MCZ hatched-area bans, and a 1 Oct-30 Apr seasonal window at six named beaches. Full permits are residents-only (3 yrs); non-residents get 14-day temporary permits with a territory-wide cap of 5 in use per day and a 5 kg + 1 specimen catch limit. Marine Conservation Zone coordinates given are approximate centroids derived from the Schedule 1 vertex tables (note: in the source PDF the 'Latitude'/'Longitude' column headers are transposed - Gibraltar sits at ~36.14 deg N, 5.35 deg W; the corrected geographic values are used here). The permit fee is a 'prescribed fee' not published in the Regulations, so cost is marked unknown - confirm with the Department of the Environment. Sovereignty over British Gibraltar Territorial Waters is disputed by Spain, which may affect enforcement at the boundary. data_confidence is high because all key legal provisions come from the official primary legislation.

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