Seychelles
Africa · Eastern Africa
Spearfishing is effectively banned in Seychelles. The sale and possession-for-fishing of spear guns has been prohibited since 1972 (Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations 1972), and the current Fisheries Act 2014 (s.32(1)) prohibits using a spear gun for fishing or possessing one in circumstances raising a reasonable inference it is used or intended for fishing in Seychelles. The Seychelles Fishing Authority confirms that 'the use of spearguns, explosives, poisons, and noxious substances is prohibited across all fisheries in Seychelles, including the recreational fishery.' The prohibition applies to residents and foreigners alike. Use for approved scientific research may be authorised under regulation/permit.
Última actualización junio 15, 2026
Marco regulador
- §Fisheries Act, 2014 (Act No. 20 of 2014) - section 32
- §Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations, 1972
- §Fisheries (Amendment) Ordinance, 1971 (defines 'spear-gun', s.2A)
- §Fisheries Regulations, 1987
- Licencia obligatoria
- No obligatoria
- Fusil de pesca
- Prohibido
- Extranjeros
- No permitido
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.
Prohibition against use of spear guns
Fisheries Act, 2014 (Act No. 20 of 2014)
32.(1) Subject to the regulations, a person shall not use any spear gun for fishing or be in possession of a spear gun in circumstances which raise a reasonable inference that the spear gun has been used or is intended for fishing in Seychelles.
Sale of spear-guns prohibited
Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations, 1972
Article 4. - Sale of spear-guns prohibited. - The sale or offering for sale of any spear-gun is hereby prohibited with effect from the 1st day of May, 1972.
Circumstances in which possession of spear-gun is prohibited
Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations, 1972
Article 5. - Circumstances in which possession of spear-gun is prohibited. The possession of any spear-gun in circumstances which raise a reasonable presumption that the spear-gun has recently been used, or is intended to be used, for fishing in Seychelles is hereby prohibited.
Offences and penalties for spear-guns
Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations, 1972
Article 6. - Offences. - Any person who: (a) on or after the 1st day of May 1972 sells or offers for sale any spear-gun; or (b) is found in possession of any spear-gun in such circumstances as are mentioned in regulation 5, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Rs. 500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Application of spear-gun regulations
Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations, 1972
Article 2. - Application. - These regulations and all the provisions of the Ordinance relating to spear-guns shall apply to the whole Colony, including all the islands listed in the First Schedule to the Outlying Islands (Employment of Servants) Ordinance.
Recreational fishing gear - spearguns prohibited (SFA guidance)
Seychelles Fishing Authority - Types of fisheries and fishing rights in Seychelles (FiTI FAQ)
The use of spearguns, explosives, poisons, and noxious substances is prohibited across all fisheries in Seychelles, including the recreational fishery. The Fisheries Act also bans the use of unauthorised fish aggregating devices. As [large] net fishing is a licensable activity, the use of large nets is not allowed as part of recreational fishing. The use of demersal trawl nets is also prohibited under the Fisheries Regulations (1987).
Recreational fishing licence exemption
Seychelles Fishing Authority - Types of fisheries and fishing rights in Seychelles (FiTI FAQ)
A licence is not required for recreational fishing. Paragraph 21 of the Fisheries Act exempt a vessel used for recreational fishing in Seychelles waters from the requirement of having a licence or permit unless otherwise prescribed.
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.
- AbiertoRecreational fishing (general)Ene 1 – Dic 31
Per the SFA, there are currently no seasonal restrictions on recreational fishing; it may be conducted year-round. Note: spearfishing itself remains prohibited year-round regardless of season.
- VedaKordonnyen (rabbitfish) spawning sites - fish trapsSep 1 – Abr 30
Under the Fisheries (Mahe Plateau Trap and Line Fishery) Regulations 2021, leaving fish traps overnight on Kordonnyen (rabbitfish) spawning sites is banned during the spawning season (September to April inclusive); around each full moon in that season trap numbers are further limited. Relates to trap fishing, not spearfishing (which is banned anyway), included for completeness.
Permiso para pescar
Licencia
Qué necesitas para poder estar en el agua, cuánto cuesta y cómo conseguirlo.
- Tipo
- No recreational fishing licence required; however spearfishing/speargun use is prohibited entirely
- Coste
- N/A
- Validez
- N/A
- Cómo obtenerla
- Recreational rod-and-line/hand-line fishing from a vessel under 10 m needs no licence (Fisheries Act s.21). Spearfishing cannot be licensed for recreation; only approved scientific research may be authorised by the Seychelles Fishing Authority.
- Autoridad
- Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA)
Equipo y técnica
Normas de equipo
Qué equipo está permitido, cómo puede usarse y las condiciones asociadas.
Restricciones
- Spear guns prohibited: cannot be used for fishing, possessed for fishing, or sold/offered for sale
- Explosives, poisons and other noxious substances prohibited for fishing
- Unauthorised fish aggregating devices (FADs) prohibited
- Large nets are a licensable activity and not allowed for recreational fishing; demersal trawl nets prohibited (Fisheries Regulations 1987)
Hawaiian sling / pole spear status is not separately addressed in the located sources, but the SFA states spearguns are prohibited across all fisheries and the 1972 Regulations target 'spear-guns' as defined in s.2A of the Fisheries (Amendment) Ordinance 1971. Spearfishing for sport/recreation is not permitted in Seychelles.
Lo que puedes capturar
Límites de captura y especies protegidas
Cuotas diarias, tallas mínimas y especies que nunca deben capturarse.
Límite diario
No general daily limit on recreational fishing currently; the Fisheries (Mahe Plateau Trap and Line Fishery) Regulations 2021 set, for recreational fishers, 5 Bourzwa (Emperor red snapper, Lutjanus sebae) per day, 5 Zob gris (Green jobfish, Aprion virescens) per day, and a maximum of 20 demersal fish per fisher per day.
Tallas mínimas
- Bourzwa (Emperor red snapper, Lutjanus sebae)mín. 32 cm
- Zob gris (Green jobfish, Aprion virescens)mín. 32 cm
Especies protegidas — no capturar
- ProtegidaGreen turtle (Chelonia mydas) - protected (Fisheries Regulations 1987, reg.12)
- ProtegidaHawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) - protected (Fisheries Regulations 1987, reg.13)
- ProtegidaTriton conch (Charonia tritonis) - collection prohibited (Fisheries Regulations 1987, reg.11)
- ProtegidaMarine mammals - taking prohibited (Fisheries Act 2014, s.32)
- ProtegidaSharks - fishing for sharks using nets prohibited (Fisheries Regulations 1987, reg.16C)
Minimum fork length of 32 cm (tip of jaw/snout to centre of tail fork) applies to Bourzwa and Zob gris under the Mahe Plateau Trap and Line Fishery Regulations. Limits apply to permitted gear (line/trap) - spearfishing is not a permitted method.
Quién puede pescar
Visitantes y residentes
Cómo difieren las normas para los visitantes extranjeros y los residentes locales.
Visitantes extranjeros
No permitidoRestricciones
- Spearfishing/speargun use is prohibited for everyone in Seychelles waters, including tourists and foreign visitors
- Possession of a spear gun in circumstances raising a reasonable inference of intended fishing use is an offence
Tourists may fish recreationally by rod/hand-line (often via licensed charter/sport-fishing operators) but may not spearfish. The speargun prohibition draws no distinction between residents and foreigners.
Residentes
No licence required for recreational (non-spear) fishing
Residents are subject to the same speargun prohibition as foreigners. Traditional artisanal fishers are also barred from using spearguns across all fisheries.
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
- Sainte Anne Marine National Parkmarine national park
First marine protected area in the Indian Ocean, established 1973; comprises Sainte Anne, Cerf, Moyenne, Round (Ile Ronde), Long (Ile Longue) and other islets near Mahe. Fishing and water-skiing are forbidden within the marine park area.
- Curieuse Marine National Parkmarine national park
Marine national park about 2 km from Praslin; protected marine area where extractive fishing is not permitted.
- Port Launay Marine National Parkmarine national park
Marine national park on the north-west coast of Mahe; a protected/no-take marine area.
- Baie Ternay Marine National Parkmarine national park
Marine national park on the north-west of Mahe; a protected/no-take marine area.
- Silhouette Marine National Parkmarine national park
Marine national park around Silhouette Island; a protected marine area.
- Ile Coco Marine National Parkmarine national park
Marine national park near Praslin/La Digue; a protected marine area.
Condiciones en el agua
Condiciones en vivo
Instantánea en vivo del mar y el tiempo cerca de un punto de referencia costero en Seychelles, 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 Sainte Anne Marine National Park.
A quién preguntar
Autoridades
Los organismos oficiales responsables de la pesca y las licencias.
Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA)
fisheries authority
sfa.scP.O. Box 449, Fishing Port, Mahe, SeychellesSeychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA)
protected areas authority
spga.gov.scManages marine national parks (e.g. Sainte Anne) where fishing is forbidden
De dónde proviene
Fuentes
Cada afirmación de esta página se remonta a una de estas referencias.
- [01]
Fisheries Act, 2014 (Act No. 20 of 2014) - full text PDF (FAO FAOLEX)
Oficialfaolex.fao.orgConsultado Jun 15 - [02]
Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations, 1972 - full text PDF (FAO FAOLEX)
Oficialfaolex.fao.orgConsultado Jun 15 - [03]
Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations, 1972 - ECOLEX record
Oficialecolex.orgConsultado Jun 15 - [04]
Fisheries Act (No. 20 of 2014) - ECOLEX record
Oficialecolex.orgConsultado Jun 15 - [05]
Seychelles Fishing Authority - Types of fisheries and fishing rights in Seychelles: Recreational fisheries FAQ (FiTI)
Oficialsfa.scConsultado Jun 15 - [06]
Sainte Anne Marine National Park - Wikipedia
Secundariaen.wikipedia.orgConsultado Jun 15 - [07]
National Parks of Seychelles (marine national parks overview) - GVI
Secundariagviusa.comConsultado Jun 15
Notas del investigador
Spearfishing is not permitted in Seychelles. Two distinct legal layers ban it: (1) the Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations 1972 prohibit selling spear-guns and possessing them in circumstances inferring fishing use (max penalty Rs.500 fine and/or 3 months imprisonment under the 1972 text); and (2) section 32(1) of the Fisheries Act 2014 prohibits using a spear gun for fishing or possessing one with reasonable inference of fishing use. The Seychelles Fishing Authority's own recreational-fisheries guidance states spearguns are prohibited across all fisheries including the recreational fishery. Recreational line/rod fishing remains legal and licence-free (Fisheries Act s.21). Marine national parks (e.g. Sainte Anne) are no-take zones where fishing of any kind is forbidden. Verbatim law texts were extracted via OCR/pdftotext from the official FAO FAOLEX PDFs of the 1972 Regulations and the 2014 Act; minor OCR artefacts in the 2014 Act PDF were corrected against the consistent wording reported by ECOLEX and the SFA. Confidence is high because the core prohibition is corroborated by the primary legislation and the national fisheries authority. Pole-spear / Hawaiian-sling status is not separately spelled out in located sources but is covered by the general prohibition on spearguns across all fisheries.
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