Guatemala
Americas · Central America
Recreational spearfishing is legal in Guatemala as a form of sport fishing (pesca deportiva). The General Law of Fishing and Aquaculture (Decreto 80-2002) expressly authorises the speargun/harpoon ('arpon') as a permitted gear for sport fishing (Art. 40, item 5.1). Sport fishing requires a licence from MAGA/DIPESCA and may be exercised by both nationals and foreigners (Arts. 26-27). The billfish/sailfish (pez vela, Istiophorus platypterus) is reserved exclusively for catch-and-release sport fishing and cannot be retained (Arts. 28 and 80(j)). Toxic substances and explosives are prohibited fishing methods (Art. 80(c)). The catch-and-release sailfish reserve aside, species-specific catch quantities, sizes, weights, gear, locations and methods for sport fishing are to be set by MAGA through the competent authority in the regulation (Art. 29), and closed seasons (vedas) may be imposed by the authority (Arts. 78-79). Spearfishing is prohibited inside declared protected/reserve areas and during vedas (Art. 80(b)).
Dernière mise à jour juin 14, 2026
Cadre réglementaire
- §Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura, Decreto No. 80-2002 del Congreso de la Republica (2002)
- §Reglamento de la Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura, Acuerdo Gubernativo No. 223-2005 (2005)
- §Ley que declara Area Protegida el Refugio de Vida Silvestre Punta de Manabique, Decreto No. 23-2005 (2005)
- Licence requise
- Requise
- Fusil harpon
- Autorisé
- 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 sport fishing (pesca deportiva)
Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura, Decreto No. 80-2002
35. Pesca deportiva: Pesca que se realiza con proposito de esparcimiento y recreacion, con o sin embarcaciones, siempre que las especies capturadas no sean objeto de comercializacion.
Definition of closed season (veda)
Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura, Decreto No. 80-2002
47. Veda: Suspension temporal de pesca de una especie en un espacio y tiempo determinado.
Sport fishing authorised by licence
Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura, Decreto No. 80-2002
ARTICULO 26. Pesca deportiva. La pesca deportiva sera autorizada por la autoridad competente a traves de licencia despues de su inscripcion registro ante la autoridad naval competente.
Right to sport fishing for nationals and foreigners
Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura, Decreto No. 80-2002
ARTICULO 27. Derecho de Pesca. La pesca deportiva podra ser ejercida por personas individuales o juridicas, nacionales o extranjeras.
Sailfish reserved for sport fishing (catch-and-release)
Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura, Decreto No. 80-2002
ARTICULO 28. Reservas de pesca deportiva. Queda establecido que el pez vela (Istiophorus platypterus), queda reservado para la pesca deportiva. Queda prohibida la captura de esta especie en la actividad pesquera comercial. La autoridad competente establecera que otras especies quedan reservadas para la pesca deportiva. Para normar esta actividad se creara un reglamento especifico.
MAGA to set sport fishing quantities, sizes, gear, locations and methods
Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura, Decreto No. 80-2002
ARTICULO 29. Autorizacion del MAGA. En la pesca deportiva la cantidad de ejemplares de cada especie, sus tallas y pesos, artes y aparejos de pesca, lugares de practica, tipo de embarcacion y procedimientos de captura, los especificara el MAGA, a traves de la autoridad competente en el reglamento respectivo.
Authorised fishing gear for sport fishing includes speargun/harpoon (arpon)
Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura, Decreto No. 80-2002
ARTICULO 40. Utilizacion de artes y aparejos. Para la actividad pesquera se autoriza el uso de las siguientes artes y aparejos de pesca: [...] 5. Pesca Deportiva. 5.1 Cana, carrete, anzuelo, cuerda, senuelo y arpon.
Power to establish closed seasons (vedas)
Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura, Decreto No. 80-2002
ARTICULO 78. Establecimiento de vedas. La autoridad competente, fundamentada en la mejor evidencia tecnica y cientifica disponible y/o aplicando el criterio de precaucion, podra establecer vedas para la pesca de recursos hidrobiologicos, tanto maritimos como continentales para fortalecer la sostenibilidad del aprovechamiento de los recursos. Estas podran ser parciales o totales y por especie, el tiempo y el espacio lo determinara la evidencia cientifica disponible, en directa relacion con las condiciones biologicas del recurso y de su habitat.
Prohibitions: unlicensed fishing, fishing in vedas/reserves/protected areas, illicit methods, protected species, sailfish retention
Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura, Decreto No. 80-2002
ARTICULO 80. Prohibicion. Queda prohibido: a) Realizar actividades pesqueras y acuicolas sin permiso o licencia, con la licencia o permiso vencido. b) Extraer recursos pesqueros de aguas de dominio publico declarados en veda, areas de reserva y areas protegidas; salvo en casos especificamente autorizados. c) Pescar con metodos ilicitos, tales como el empleo de materiales toxicos, explosivos, y otros cuya naturaleza cause peligro a los recursos hidrobiologicos asi como llevar a bordo tales materiales. [...] g) Capturar o pescar intencionalmente mamiferos marinos, tortugas marinas y otras especies que se declaren amenazadas o en peligro de extincion, de acuerdo a lo establecido por el MAGA a traves de la autoridad competente, en coordinacion con el Ministerio de Ambiente y Recursos Naturales y otras instituciones nacionales e internacionales. [...] j) Pescar y comercializar internacionalmente pez vela (Istiophorus Platypterus), a excepcion de: la pesca deportiva, cuyos practicantes podran capturarlos y devolverlos vivos al mar; y, los ejemplares de pez vela que sean capturados incidentalmente en la pesca comercial de cualquiera de los tipos y clases autorizadas por el MAGA, a traves de la autoridad competente; deberan ser liberados y devueltos al mar.
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.
- RéglementéeAll hydrobiological resources (marine and continental)
No fixed statutory spearfishing season exists. Closed seasons (vedas) are not permanent: under Art. 78 of Decreto 80-2002 the competent authority (DIPESCA/MAGA) may declare partial or total, species- and area-specific vedas based on scientific evidence. Under Art. 79 affected parties must be notified and the veda published in the official gazette at least 30 days before it takes effect (immediate suspension is possible in cases of national emergency). Always verify current vedas with DIPESCA before fishing.
Autorisation de pêcher
Licence
Ce dont vous avez besoin pour être autorisé dans l'eau, ce que cela coûte et comment l'obtenir.
Download and complete the application form at www.maga.gob.gt and submit it with required documentation to DIPESCA/MAGA. After review and a favourable technical opinion, MAGA issues a ministerial resolution granting the licence. The official catalogue lists requirements including: completed application form, legalised photocopy of commercial patent (if a company/sociedad), copy of vessel registration certification, proof of ownership or lease contract of the vessel, documentation of membership in a fishing association/club (if applicable), photocopy of ID, and legal representative appointment document (if applicable).
Obtenez votre licenceOuvre le portail officiel · tramites.gob.gt
- Type
- Licencia de Pesca Deportiva (sport fishing licence). Foreign-flagged vessels engaged in sport fishing are authorised via a fixed-term Permiso instead of a licence.
- Coût
- Q 0 (no government fee listed for the sport fishing licence procedure on the official tramites catalogue)
- Validité
- Sport fishing licences are granted for a period of ten (10) years (Decreto 80-2002, Art. 62 lit. c).
- Comment l'obtenir
- Download and complete the application form at www.maga.gob.gt and submit it with required documentation to DIPESCA/MAGA. After review and a favourable technical opinion, MAGA issues a ministerial resolution granting the licence. The official catalogue lists requirements including: completed application form, legalised photocopy of commercial patent (if a company/sociedad), copy of vessel registration certification, proof of ownership or lease contract of the vessel, documentation of membership in a fishing association/club (if applicable), photocopy of ID, and legal representative appointment document (if applicable).
- Autorité
- Direccion de Normatividad de la Pesca y Acuicultura (DIPESCA) - Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganaderia y Alimentacion (MAGA)
Matériel et technique
Règles d'équipement
Quel matériel est autorisé, comment il peut être utilisé et les conditions associées.
Restrictions
- Speargun/harpoon (arpon) is explicitly listed as authorised sport fishing gear (Decreto 80-2002, Art. 40 item 5.1), alongside rod, reel, hook, line and lure.
- Prohibited methods: toxic/poisonous materials and explosives, and carrying such materials on board (Art. 80 lit. c).
- Use of any gear not specified in the law and its regulation requires prior MAGA authorisation (Art. 41).
- Specific quantities, sizes, weights, gear, locations, vessel type and capture procedures for sport fishing are to be set by MAGA in the regulation (Art. 29).
The law authorises the arpon as sport fishing gear but does not itself distinguish breath-hold from scuba-assisted spearfishing; detailed equipment conditions are delegated to the regulation (Acuerdo Gubernativo 223-2005) and ministerial resolutions. Confirm current conditions with DIPESCA.
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
Not fixed in the law. Per Art. 29 of Decreto 80-2002, the quantity of specimens per species, their sizes and weights are to be specified by MAGA through the competent authority in the respective regulation. Verify current limits with DIPESCA.
Espèces protégées — ne pas prélever
- ProtégéePez vela / Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) - reserved for catch-and-release sport fishing; retention prohibited, must be released alive (Arts. 28, 80 lit. j)
- ProtégéeMarine mammals (mamiferos marinos) - intentional capture prohibited (Art. 80 lit. g)
- ProtégéeSea turtles (tortugas marinas) - intentional capture prohibited (Art. 80 lit. g)
- ProtégéeAny species declared threatened or in danger of extinction by MAGA/MARN (Art. 80 lit. g)
Beyond the statutory protections above, species-specific catch quantities and minimum sizes are delegated to the regulation. Spearfishing of protected species and inside vedas/protected areas is prohibited.
Qui peut pêcher
Visiteurs et résidents
Comment les règles diffèrent pour les visiteurs étrangers et les résidents locaux.
Visiteurs étrangers
AutoriséeLicence spéciale requise
Exigences
- Sport fishing may be exercised by individuals or legal persons, whether national or foreign (Decreto 80-2002, Art. 27).
- A sport fishing licence (or, for foreign-flagged vessels, a fixed-term permit) must be obtained from DIPESCA/MAGA before fishing.
Restrictions
- Same prohibitions apply as to nationals: no fishing in vedas, reserves or protected areas without specific authorisation; no illicit methods; protected-species and sailfish-retention bans (Arts. 80, 28).
Foreigners have the same right to sport fishing as nationals. Foreign-flagged vessels engaged in sport fishing are authorised through a Permiso (permit) rather than a licence.
Résidents
Licencia de Pesca Deportiva (same sport fishing licence as for nationals generally)
Exigences
- Obtain a sport fishing licence from DIPESCA/MAGA before fishing.
The law does not establish a separate resident/non-resident distinction for sport fishing; both nationals and foreigners are covered under Arts. 26-27.
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 interdites
- Refugio de Vida Silvestre Punta de Manabiquemarine-coastal wildlife refuge / Ramsar site
Guatemala's first marine-coastal protected area on the Caribbean coast (Izabal), declared by Decreto No. 23-2005. Includes Bahia La Graciosa, Laguna Santa Isabel, the English Channel and all coral formations within the area (including the Corona Caiman reef of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System). It is a Ramsar wetland managed by CONAP/FUNDARY. Under Art. 80(b) of Decreto 80-2002, extraction of fishery resources from declared protected and reserve areas is prohibited except where specifically authorised; spearfishing in the core/conservation zones is not permitted without specific authorisation.
Conditions sur l'eau
Conditions en direct
Aperçu marin et météo en direct près d'un point de référence côtier en Guatemala, fourni par Open-Meteo. Les conditions varient le long de la côte — à considérer comme indicatives.
Conditions marines et météo en direct près de Refugio de Vida Silvestre Punta de Manabique.
À qui s'adresser
Autorités
Les organismes officiels responsables de la pêche et des licences.
Direccion de Normatividad de la Pesca y Acuicultura (DIPESCA)
fisheries authority
maga.gob.gtWithin the Vice-Ministerio de Sanidad Agropecuaria y Regulaciones (VISAR), Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganaderia y Alimentacion (MAGA). DIPESCA is the competent authority for fishing licences/permits (successor to UNIPESCA named in Decreto 80-2002).Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganaderia y Alimentacion (MAGA)
agriculture and fisheries ministry
Consejo Nacional de Areas Protegidas (CONAP)
protected areas authority
conap.gob.gtAdministers marine-coastal protected areas (e.g. Punta de Manabique) where fishing/spearfishing is restricted.
D'où cela provient
Sources
Chaque affirmation sur cette page renvoie à l'une de ces références.
- [01]
Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura, Decreto No. 80-2002 (full text PDF)
Officiellecretec.org.gtConsulté le juin 14 - [02]
Decreto No. 80-02 - Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura (ECOLEX record)
Secondaireecolex.orgConsulté le juin 14 - [03]
FAOLEX - Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura, Decreto 80-2002 (PDF)
Officiellefaolex.fao.orgConsulté le juin 14 - [04]
Catalogo de Tramites - 227. Licencia o prorroga de Pesca Deportiva (MAGA/DIPESCA)
Officielletramites.gob.gtConsulté le juin 14 - [05]
DIPESCA - VISAR (Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganaderia y Alimentacion)
Officiellemaga.gob.gtConsulté le juin 14 - [06]
CONAP - Conservacion Marino-Costera en Guatemala
Officielleconap.gob.gtConsulté le juin 14 - [07]
Punta de Manabique Wildlife Refuge (coordinates and protected-area status)
Secondaireen.wikipedia.orgConsulté le juin 14
Notes du chercheur
Recreational spearfishing in Guatemala is legal under the sport-fishing (pesca deportiva) regime of the Ley General de Pesca y Acuicultura (Decreto 80-2002), which explicitly lists the speargun/harpoon (arpon) as authorised sport-fishing gear (Art. 40, item 5.1) and grants both nationals and foreigners the right to sport fishing under licence/permit (Arts. 26-27). Verbatim provisions were extracted from the full text of Decreto 80-2002 hosted on cretec.org.gt (the FAOLEX and MAGA PDFs of the same decree returned 403/binary and could not be text-parsed directly, but cretec hosts the identical official decree). Many operational details for spearfishing - exact catch quantities, minimum sizes, permitted locations, scuba vs. free-diving, and any current vedas - are delegated by the law to the Reglamento (Acuerdo Gubernativo 223-2005) and to ministerial resolutions; these specifics were not retrieved verbatim, so those fields are marked as delegated/unknown and should be confirmed directly with DIPESCA. Statutory protections that apply to spearfishers: sailfish (pez vela) is catch-and-release only; intentional capture of marine mammals, sea turtles and threatened/endangered species is banned; toxic substances and explosives are banned methods; and fishing inside declared vedas, reserves and protected areas (e.g. the Punta de Manabique marine-coastal refuge) is prohibited without specific authorisation. Confidence is medium: the primary statute and core spearfishing legality are firmly sourced, but the secondary regulation and concrete catch/size/season parameters were not retrieved verbatim.
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