Spain
Europe · Southern Europe
Recreational spearfishing (pesca marítima de recreo submarina) is legal in Spain but tightly regulated. At national level it is governed by Real Decreto 347/2011 (for exterior waters), which restricts it to breath-hold (free) diving only: any underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) is prohibited, as are mechanical propulsion devices, night fishing, loaded spearguns out of the water, and explosive/electric points. A spearfishing activity licence issued by the competent coastal Autonomous Community is mandatory; in practice the Autonomous Communities also issue licences for exterior waters by delegation and set additional rules (minimum age, medical certificate of fitness for free diving, signalling buoy, distance from beaches/swimmers, catch caps). Only fish and cephalopods listed in Annex I may be taken, respecting the minimum sizes of Real Decreto 560/1995. Spearfishing is banned inside marine reserves of fishing interest (reservas marinas de interés pesquero) and other MPAs. A federation licence and personal accident insurance are commonly required to use a mechanically-powered speargun.
Dernière mise à jour juin 15, 2026
Cadre réglementaire
- §Real Decreto 347/2011, de 11 de marzo, por el que se regula la pesca marítima de recreo en aguas exteriores
- §Real Decreto 560/1995, de 7 de abril, por el que se establecen las tallas mínimas de determinadas especies pesqueras
- §Ley 3/2001, de 26 de marzo, de Pesca Marítima del Estado
- §Orden ARM/3841/2008, de 23 de diciembre (reserva marina de interés pesquero de las islas Columbretes)
- §Autonomous Community fisheries regulations (e.g. Cataluña, Illes Balears, Galicia, Andalucía, Región de Murcia, País Vasco) implementing licences and additional rules in interior waters
- Licence requise
- Requise
- Fusil harpon
- Autorisé
- Plongée bouteille
- Interdit
- Étrangers
- Bienvenus
La loi, verbatim
Textes juridiques
Les dispositions législatives et réglementaires exactes qui régissent la chasse sous-marine ici, citées telles que publiées, avec un lien vers chaque source officielle.
Definition of submarine recreational fishing
Real Decreto 347/2011, de 11 de marzo
Submarina: es la que se practica buceando a pulmón libre, sin utilizar ningún tipo de elemento que permita la respiración en inmersión ni de medios mecánicos de propulsión.
Authorized species and minimum sizes
Real Decreto 347/2011, de 11 de marzo
En el ejercicio de la pesca marítima de recreo sólo se podrán capturar aquellas especies autorizadas de peces y cefalópodos que se aparecen en el anexo I del presente real decreto, debiendo respetar, en todo caso, las tallas mínimas establecidas en el Real Decreto 560/1995.
Activity licence required for submarine fishing
Real Decreto 347/2011, de 11 de marzo
Para poder practicar la pesca marítima de recreo submarina será necesario estar en posesión de la licencia de actividad expedida por el órgano competente de una comunidad autónoma del litoral.
Permitted capture instrument (harpoon/speargun)
Real Decreto 347/2011, de 11 de marzo
Únicamente está permitido el arpón manual o impulsado por medios mecánicos y que podrá tener una o varias puntas.
Prohibition of carrying spearfishing gear and breathing equipment together
Real Decreto 347/2011, de 11 de marzo
Se prohíbe la práctica de la pesca submarina de recreo cuando se lleve a bordo de la embarcación, simultáneamente, instrumentos de captura de pesca submarina y equipos de respiración en inmersión.
Mandatory signalling buoy and maximum distance from it
Real Decreto 347/2011, de 11 de marzo
Cada buceador deberá marcar su posición mediante una boya de señalización claramente visible, de la que no deberá alejarse de un radio superior a 0,013 millas náuticas o 25 metros.
Specific prohibitions for submarine fishing
Real Decreto 347/2011, de 11 de marzo
En el ejercicio de esta modalidad de pesca marítima de recreo queda expresamente prohibido, además de lo establecido en las letras b), d), y e) del artículo 12: a) Tener el fusil cargado fuera del agua. b) El empleo de instrumentos de captura con punta explosiva eléctrica o electrónica, así como de focos luminosos, salvo las linternas de mano. c) El uso o tenencia de artefactos hidrodeslizadores y vehículos similares. d) La práctica de esta actividad en horario nocturno, desde el ocaso al orto.
General prohibitions referenced for submarine fishing (distance to professional gear; attraction methods; toxic/explosive substances)
Real Decreto 347/2011, de 11 de marzo
b) Interferir la práctica de la pesca profesional. A estos efectos, las embarcaciones deberán mantener una distancia mínima de 0,162 millas náuticas (equivalente a 300,024 metros). [...] d) El empleo de cualquier medio de atracción o concentración artificial de las especies a capturar y, de forma expresa, el uso de luces a tal objeto, excepto el brumeo con pequeños pelágicos. e) El uso o tenencia de cualquier clase de sustancia venenosa, narcótica, explosiva o contaminante.
Prohibition of spearfishing inside Islas Columbretes marine reserve
Orden ARM/3841/2008, de 23 de diciembre
Queda prohibido cualquier otro uso no recogido en el presente artículo, salvo autorización expresa de la Dirección General de Recursos Pesqueros y Acuicultura y, en especial, la pesca en las modalidades de arrastre, palangre de fondo y de superficie, la pesca de coral, la pesca submarina, el «jigging» [...]
Quand vous pouvez plonger
Saisons et restrictions temporelles
Périodes de fermeture, d'ouverture et de restriction tout au long de l'année. Confirmez toujours localement les fermetures propres à chaque espèce.
- FerméeAll submarine fishing - daily night-time closuresunset – sunrise
Submarine fishing is prohibited at night, from sunset to sunrise (desde el ocaso al orto). Art. 16.d) RD 347/2011.
Autorisation de pêcher
Licence
Ce dont vous avez besoin pour être autorisé dans l'eau, ce que cela coûte et comment l'obtenir.
Apply through the fisheries authority of the relevant coastal Autonomous Community (online or in person). A medical certificate of fitness for underwater/free-diving (issued by a doctor qualified in hyperbaric/underwater medicine), or a valid federation licence covering the medical, plus suitable accident insurance, is generally required. ID (DNI for citizens; NIE/passport for foreigners) and payment of the regional fee are needed.
Obtenez votre licenceOuvre le portail officiel · mapa.gob.es
- Type
- Licencia de pesca marítima de recreo submarina (autonomous-community activity licence for free-diving spearfishing)
- Coût
- Varies by Autonomous Community; typically very low official fees (e.g. Illes Balears 28.92 EUR/year; Andalucía from ~9 EUR; Cataluña higher). People over 65 are often exempt from the fee in some regions.
- Validité
- Varies by region (commonly 1 to 4 years); for minors under 18, validity is generally limited to 12 months.
- Comment l'obtenir
- Apply through the fisheries authority of the relevant coastal Autonomous Community (online or in person). A medical certificate of fitness for underwater/free-diving (issued by a doctor qualified in hyperbaric/underwater medicine), or a valid federation licence covering the medical, plus suitable accident insurance, is generally required. ID (DNI for citizens; NIE/passport for foreigners) and payment of the regional fee are needed.
- Autorité
- Competent fisheries authority of the coastal Autonomous Community (órgano competente de la comunidad autónoma del litoral)
Matériel et technique
Règles d'équipement
Quel matériel est autorisé, comment il peut être utilisé et les conditions associées.
Restrictions
- Only a hand-thrown or mechanically-powered harpoon/speargun (arpón manual o impulsado por medios mecánicos), with one or more points, is permitted (Art. 14.1 RD 347/2011).
- Underwater breathing apparatus (scuba/escafandra autónoma) is prohibited - spearfishing must be done on breath-hold only (Art. 3.c, Art. 14.2 RD 347/2011).
- Mechanical propulsion devices and water scooters/hydrosliders (artefactos hidrodeslizadores) are prohibited (Art. 16.c RD 347/2011).
- The speargun may not be loaded out of the water (Art. 16.a RD 347/2011).
- Explosive, electric or electronic points and light beams are prohibited; only hand torches are allowed (Art. 16.b RD 347/2011).
- A clearly visible signalling buoy is mandatory and the diver must stay within 25 m of it (Art. 15 RD 347/2011).
- Several Autonomous Communities additionally require a federation licence and personal accident insurance to use a mechanically-powered speargun.
Spearfishing is legally restricted to free (breath-hold) diving. Possession of both spearfishing gear and breathing equipment together on a vessel is itself an offence (Art. 14.2).
Ce que vous pouvez prélever
Limites de capture et espèces protégées
Quotas journaliers, tailles minimales et espèces qui ne doivent jamais être prélevées.
Limite journalière
National recreational maritime fishing cap is set per management zone by ministerial order; for submarine fishing a maximum of 5 kg per licence holder and day is widely applied (one larger single specimen may be excluded from the weight count). Some Autonomous Communities set their own caps (e.g. Cataluña 10 kg/person/day). Verify the cap in force for the specific region.
Espèces protégées — ne pas prélever
- ProtégéeOnly fish and cephalopods listed in Annex I of RD 347/2011 may be taken; all other species (including crustaceans, molluscs and marine invertebrates other than the listed cephalopods) may not be captured.
- ProtégéeMinimum legal sizes of Real Decreto 560/1995 must be respected for all authorized species.
Minimum sizes are species-specific and set in RD 560/1995 (and regional rules); specific per-species centimetre values were not transcribed here. Coral fishing and protected/endangered species are prohibited.
Qui peut pêcher
Visiteurs et résidents
Comment les règles diffèrent pour les visiteurs étrangers et les résidents locaux.
Visiteurs étrangers
AutoriséeExigences
- Obtain the same autonomous-community spearfishing activity licence as residents.
- Identity document for foreigners: NIE, passport or a government document of the country recognised by the Spanish Administration (required at least for first issuance).
- Medical certificate of fitness for free-diving / underwater fishing (or equivalent federation licence) and suitable insurance.
- Comply with the rules of the Autonomous Community whose coast the activity takes place on.
Restrictions
- Same equipment, season, buoy, distance and marine-reserve restrictions as residents.
- Some regions may require Spanish-recognised documentation or a local representative for the application.
Non-residents/tourists may obtain a regional spearfishing licence; procedures and accepted documents vary by Autonomous Community. Confirm with the specific regional fisheries authority before diving.
Résidents
Licencia de pesca marítima de recreo submarina (regional activity licence)
Exigences
- Minimum age 16 (under-16s may not practise even if accompanied); minors under 18 need parental/guardian consent.
- Medical certificate of fitness for free-diving issued by a doctor qualified in hyperbaric/underwater medicine, or a valid federation licence that includes it.
- Accident insurance suitable for spearfishing (typically via the federation licence).
- Payment of the regional fee.
Avantages
- Lower or no fee for retirees/over-65 in some Autonomous Communities.
Rules and fees are set per Autonomous Community; check the specific region's fisheries authority.
Où sur la côte
Zones autorisées et interdites
Zones nommées ouvertes ou fermées à la chasse sous-marine. Voir l'image complète sur la carte interactive.
Zones autorisées
One of the four management zones of Spanish exterior waters defined in Art. 2 RD 347/2011 (Atlantic north and northwest coast). Spearfishing permitted under national and regional rules, outside protected areas.
Breath-hold only; activity licence required; no scuba; daily/regional catch caps; minimum sizes (RD 560/1995); buoy mandatory.
One of the four management zones of Spanish exterior waters (Art. 2 RD 347/2011), covering the Gulf of Cádiz. Spearfishing permitted under national and regional rules, outside protected areas.
Breath-hold only; activity licence required; no scuba; daily/regional catch caps; minimum sizes; buoy mandatory.
One of the four management zones of Spanish exterior waters (Art. 2 RD 347/2011), covering the Mediterranean coast. Spearfishing permitted under national and regional rules, outside protected areas.
Breath-hold only; activity licence required; no scuba; daily/regional catch caps; minimum sizes; buoy mandatory; banned in marine reserves.
One of the four management zones of Spanish exterior waters (Art. 2 RD 347/2011), covering the Canary Islands. Spearfishing permitted under national and regional rules, outside protected areas.
Breath-hold only; activity licence required; no scuba; daily/regional catch caps; minimum sizes; buoy mandatory; banned in marine reserves.
Zones interdites
State-managed marine reserve off Castellón (~30 nautical miles offshore). Spearfishing (pesca submarina) is expressly prohibited; carrying any fishing/extraction instrument other than a knife is also prohibited. Delimited by points A 39º55,700'N 000º38,730'E, B 39º55,700'N 000º42,910'E, C 39º49,400'N 000º41,180'E, D 39º49,400'N 000º38,730'E (WGS-84).
- Reserva marina de Cabo de Palos - Islas Hormigasmarine reserve
Marine reserve of fishing interest in Región de Murcia where recreational spearfishing is prohibited.
- Reserva marina de Cabo de Gata-Níjarmarine reserve
State/regional marine reserve of fishing interest in Almería (Andalucía) where spearfishing is restricted/prohibited within the protected perimeter.
- Reserva marina de la Isla de Tabarcamarine reserve
Marine reserve of fishing interest off Alicante (the first declared in Spain) where spearfishing is prohibited.
Marine reserve of fishing interest in the Canary Islands where spearfishing is restricted/prohibited.
Marine reserve of fishing interest off El Hierro (Canary Islands) where spearfishing is restricted/prohibited within the protected perimeter.
Conditions sur l'eau
Conditions en direct
Aperçu marin et météo en direct près d'un point de référence côtier en Spain, fourni par Open-Meteo. Les conditions varient le long de la côte — à considérer comme indicatives.
Conditions marines et météo en direct près de Reserva marina de interés pesquero de las islas Columbretes.
Sur le terrain
Boutiques et charters locaux
Boutiques de matériel, charters, cours et clubs autour de Spain. Les annonces d'exemple sont clairement marquées pendant que nous vérifions les vrais opérateurs.
De la communauté
Spots de plongée communautaires
Spots partagés par des plongeurs autour de Spain. Proposés par la communauté et ne remplacent pas la vérification des règles et conditions locales.
Costa Brava — Cap de Creus
Mediterranean rocky coastline near Cadaqués.
42.320°N, 3.320°E
À qui s'adresser
Autorités
Les organismes officiels responsables de la pêche et des licences.
Secretaría General de Pesca - Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (MAPA)
national fisheries authority
mapa.gob.eshttps://www.mapa.gob.esDirección General de Recursos Pesqueros y Acuicultura (MAPA) - manager of state marine reserves
fisheries authority / marine protected areas
mapa.gob.eshttps://www.mapa.gob.esAutonomous Community fisheries authorities (e.g. Generalitat de Catalunya, Govern de les Illes Balears, Xunta de Galicia, Junta de Andalucía, Región de Murcia, Gobierno Vasco)
regional fisheries authorities (licence issuers)
caib.esVaries by Autonomous Community
D'où cela provient
Sources
Chaque affirmation sur cette page renvoie à l'une de ces références.
- [01]
BOE - Real Decreto 347/2011, de 11 de marzo, por el que se regula la pesca marítima de recreo en aguas exteriores (texto consolidado)
Officielleboe.esConsulté le juin 15 - [02]
MAPA - Pesca marítima de recreo: preguntas frecuentes
Officiellemapa.gob.esConsulté le juin 15 - [03]
BOE - Orden ARM/3841/2008, reserva marina de interés pesquero de las islas Columbretes
Officielleboe.esConsulté le juin 15 - [04]
MAPA - Reservas marinas de España (Islas Columbretes / listado de reservas)
Officiellemapa.gob.esConsulté le juin 15 - [05]
Govern de les Illes Balears (CAIB) - Licencia de pesca marítima submarina (trámite oficial)
Officiellecaib.esConsulté le juin 15 - [06]
Especies autorizadas, tallas mínimas y cupos máximos de capturas - Euskadi.eus (Gobierno Vasco)
Officielleeuskadi.eusConsulté le juin 15 - [07]
PescaREC - Normativa estatal (recopilación de normativa de pesca recreativa)
Secondairepescarec.orgConsulté le juin 15 - [08]
Licencia de Pesca Submarina España 2026 - requisitos (medical certificate, age, costs)
Secondairelicenciascazaypesca.comConsulté le juin 15
Notes du chercheur
Spain has a two-tier system: national Real Decreto 347/2011 governs exterior waters and sets the core submarine-fishing rules (breath-hold only, no scuba, harpoon/speargun only, mandatory buoy, night ban, authorized species), while the 17 coastal Autonomous Communities regulate interior waters and issue the licences (and also issue exterior-waters licences by delegation), each adding their own age, medical-certificate, fee, validity, distance-from-shore and catch-cap rules. Therefore exact figures (licence cost, validity, daily catch cap, distance to swimmers/beaches) MUST be checked against the specific Autonomous Community where diving takes place. The 5 kg/day cap and the medical-certificate/age-16 requirements are widely applied but their precise legal basis is regional; they are reported here from official regional sources and reputable secondary sources. Per-species minimum sizes (RD 560/1995 and regional updates) were not transcribed individually. Verbatim national articles (Art. 3.c, 4, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) and the Columbretes reserve prohibition were taken directly from BOE official consolidated texts.
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