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
Datuen fidagarritasunaKonfiantza handia

Azken eguneraketa Apirila 9, 2026

Arau-esparrua

  • §Nature Protection Act 1991 (1991-11)
  • §Marine Protection Regulations 2014 (LN. 2014/180; commencement 1.1.2015; as amended to LN. 2026/074)
Baimena beharrezkoa
Beharrezkoa
Arpoia
Baimenduta
Scuba
Debekatuta
Atzerritarrak
Ongi etorria

Legea, hitzez hitz

Lege-testuak

Hemen arpoiarekin arrantzatzea arautzen duten xedapen araugile eta arauzko zehatza, argitaratutakoak aipatuak, iturri ofizial bakoitzeko esteka batekin.

01Regulation 19Gibraltar · national

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

Marine Protection Regulations 2014 (LN. 2014/180)

ENJatorrizkoa

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)

ENJatorrizkoa

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)

ENJatorrizkoa

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)

ENJatorrizkoa

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)

ENJatorrizkoa

“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)

ENJatorrizkoa

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)

ENJatorrizkoa

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.

Noiz urpean sar zaitezken

Denboraldiak eta denbora-mugak

Urteko itxitako, irekitako eta mugatutako aldiak. Egiaztatu beti espeziearen arabera lokalean.

Urt
Ots
Mar
Api
Mai
Eka
Uzt
Abu
Ira
Urr
Aza
Abe
ItxitaMugatutaIrekita
  • MugatutaEastern Beach, Catalan Bay, Sandy Bay, Camp Bay, Little Bay, Western BeachUrr 1 – Api 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.

  • Mugatutaall 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.

Arrantza-baimena

Baimena

Uretara sartzeko behar duzuna, zenbat kostatzen den eta nola lortu.

Baimena beharrezkoaDepartment of the Environment, Government of Gibraltar bidez

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.

Lortu zure baimena

Atari ofiziala irekitzen du · gibraltar.gov.gi

Baimena beharrezkoa
Mota
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).
Kostua
Prescribed fee set by the Authority (not specified in the Regulations text); contact the Department of the Environment.
Baliozkotasuna
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).
Nola lortu
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.
Agintaritza
Department of the Environment, Government of Gibraltar

Ekipajea eta teknika

Ekipaje-arauak

Zer ekipaje dagoen baimenduta, nola erabil daitekeen eta aplikatzen diren baldintzak.

ArpoiaBaimenduta
ScubaDebekatuta

Murrizketak

  • 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.

Zer har dezakezun

Harrapaketa-mugak eta babestutako espezieak

Eguneroko kuotak, tamaina minimoak eta inoiz hartu behar ez diren espezieak.

Eguneroko muga

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.

Tamaina minimoak

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

Babestutako espezieak — ez hartu

  • BabestuaSwordfish (Xiphias gladius)
  • BabestuaMarlins (Makaira spp.)
  • BabestuaSpearfish (Tetrapturus spp.)
  • BabestuaAtlantic White Marlin (Tetrapturus albidus)
  • BabestuaAtlantic Sailfish (Istiophorus albicans)
  • BabestuaEuropean Hake (Merluccius merluccius)
  • BabestuaMeagre (Argyrosomus regius)
  • BabestuaEuropean Lobster (Homarus gammarus)
  • BabestuaSpiny lobster spp. (Palinurus spp.)
  • BabestuaSchedule 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.

Nork arrantza egin dezakeen

Bisitariak eta bertakoek

Arauak nola desberdinak diren atzerriko bisitarientzat eta bertako bizilagunendako.

Atzerriko bisitariak

Baimenduta

Baimen berezia beharrezkoa

Eskakizunak

  • 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).

Murrizketak

  • 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.

Bizilaguneak

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

Eskakizunak

  • 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.

Onurak

  • 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.

Kostan non

Baimendutako eta debekatutako eremuak

Arpoiarekin arrantzatzeko irekita edo itxita dauden eremu izendatuak. Ikusi irudi osoa mapa interaktiboan.

Baimendutako eremuak

Debekatutako eremuak

Uraren gaineko baldintzak

Baldintza biziak

Gibraltarko kostaldeko erreferentzia-puntu baten ondoko itsas eta eguraldi-egoera bizia, Open-Meteo bidez. Baldintzak aldatzen dira kostaldean zehar — adierazgarritzat hartu.

Itsas eta eguraldi-baldintza biziak Eastern Beach (seasonal underwater-fishing window 1 Oct - 30 Apr) ondoan.

Baldintzak

Nori galdetu

Agintariak

Arrantza eta baimenez arduratzen diren organo ofizialak.

  • 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)

Hemendik datorren informazioa

Iturriak

Orri honetako aldarrikapen bakoitza erreferentzia haietako batera lotzen da.

  1. [01]

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

    Ofiziala
    gibraltarlaws.gov.giSarbidea Eka 15
  2. [02]

    Nature Protection Act 1991 (enabling Act, Gibraltar Laws)

    Ofiziala
    gibraltarlaws.gov.giSarbidea Eka 15
  3. [03]

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

    Ofiziala
    gibraltar.gov.giSarbidea Eka 15
  4. [04]

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

    Ofiziala
    gibraltar.gov.giSarbidea Eka 15
  5. [05]

    Thinking Green - Fishing Regulation (Government of Gibraltar)

    Ofiziala
    thinkinggreen.gov.giSarbidea Eka 15
  6. [06]

    Spearfishing in Gibraltar - Nadir Spearfishing (community guide)

    community
    nadirspearfishing.comSarbidea Eka 15

Ikertzailearen oharrak

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.

Egunean egonGoiztiar sarbidea

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Jakinarazi iezadazu

Spamik ez — aldaketa-alertak soilik. Desharpidetu edozein unetan. Ez dugu inoiz zure mezu elektronikoa saltzen.