Croatia
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Spearfishing (ribolov podvodnom puškom) is legal in Croatia but allowed ONLY under a sport fishing licence (sportska dozvola) issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and sold through clubs affiliated with the Croatian Federation for Sport Fishing at Sea (HSSRM). It is not permitted on a recreational (rekreacijska) licence. Strict conditions apply: minimum age 16, free-diving (breath-hold) only with diving apparatus / scuba strictly prohibited, daylight only (from sunrise to sunset), a mandatory signal buoy, and a daily catch limit of 5 kg per fisher (plus one fish exceeding it). Up to two spearguns per fisher are allowed; towing a diver by boat and use of an underwater scooter are forbidden. Spearfishing/fishing is banned in protected national parks (e.g. Kornati, Brijuni, Mljet, Krka), special reserves, certain river estuaries and bays, and in harbours, ports, public beaches and bathing areas (the latter seasonally from 1 May to 1 October).
Dernière mise à jour mai 8, 2026
Cadre réglementaire
- §Zakon o morskom ribarstvu (Marine Fisheries Act), Narodne novine no. 62/17, 130/17, 14/19, 30/23, 14/24
- §Pravilnik o sportskom i rekreacijskom ribolovu na moru (Rulebook on Sport and Recreational Sea Fishing), Narodne novine no. 48/2026 (8 May 2026)
- Licence requise
- Requise
- Fusil harpon
- Autorisé
- Plongée bouteille
- Interdit
- Étrangers
- Bienvenus
- Flèches max.
- 2
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.
Underwater fishing with a speargun (sport fishing only, age 16, free-diving only, daylight only)
Zakon o morskom ribarstvu (Marine Fisheries Act), NN 62/17, 130/17, 14/19, 30/23, 14/24
Članak 31. (1) Ribolov podvodnom puškom dozvoljen je samo u športskom ribolovu. (2) Pri obavljanju ribolova podvodnom puškom ribolovac mora biti propisno označen sukladno posebnom propisu kojim su regulirane podvodne aktivnosti. (3) Ribolov podvodnom puškom zabranjen je od zalaska do izlaska sunca. (4) Ribolov podvodnom puškom smije se obavljati samo ronjenjem na dah. (5) Zabranjeno je obavljanje ribolova podvodnom puškom osobama mlađima od 16 godina.
Daily catch limit of 5 kg per fisher in sport and recreational fishing
Zakon o morskom ribarstvu (Marine Fisheries Act), NN 62/17, 130/17, 14/19, 30/23, 14/24
U športskom ribolovu i rekreacijskom ribolovu dopušteno je dnevno uloviti i sakupiti do pet kilograma riba i drugih morskih organizama po ribolovcu, a dopuštena dnevna količina ulova može biti veća za masu jedne ribe ili drugoga morskog organizma kojim se premašuje dopuštenih pet kilograma.
Definition of underwater fishing and speargun-only licence requirement
Pravilnik o sportskom i rekreacijskom ribolovu na moru, NN 48/2026
Članak 3., točka 5.: Podvodni ribolov je ribolov podvodnom puškom koja se koristi za izbacivanje probodnog ribolovnog alata (harpuna ili ostiju). Članak 5., stavak 1. (popis dopuštenih alata): Ribolovac, nositelj godišnje, dnevne ili višednevne dozvole smije obavljati ribolov sljedećim ribolovnim alatima, opremom i metodom: − odmetom − kančenicom − povlačnim povrazom (panulom) − povrazom s kukom za lov glavonožaca − napravom za lov velikog morskog crva (trapula) − ručnim sakupljanjem morskih organizama sa ili bez korištenja priručne opreme − podvodnom puškom, isključivo uz kupnju sportske dozvole.
Special provisions for speargun fishing - no towing by boat or underwater scooter
Pravilnik o sportskom i rekreacijskom ribolovu na moru, NN 48/2026
POSEBNE ODREDBE ZA RIBOLOV PODVODNOM PUŠKOM Članak 9. (1) Ograničenja u obavljanju ribolova podvodnom puškom propisana su Zakonom. (2) Zabranjeno je tegljenje ribolovca plovilom i/ili korištenje podvodnog skutera prilikom ribolova podvodnom puškom.
Fishing in protected areas requires a special licence; managing authority may further restrict or ban it
Pravilnik o sportskom i rekreacijskom ribolovu na moru, NN 48/2026
RIBOLOV U ZAŠTIĆENIM PODRUČJIMA (1) Sportski i rekreacijski ribolov u zaštićenim područjima smije se obavljati uz posjedovanje posebne dozvole za ribolov u dijelovima mora zaštićenima u kategoriji nacionalnog parka, posebnog rezervata i parka prirode. (2) Javna ustanova koja upravlja zaštićenim područjem (u daljnjem tekstu: javna ustanova) određuje koje će vrste i potkategorije dozvola iz tablice iz članka 6. stavka 1. ovoga Pravilnika prodavati za ribolov u zaštićenom području u svojoj nadležnosti [...] Javna ustanova može u zaštićenim područjima potpuno zabraniti ili dodatno ograničiti sportski i/ili rekreacijski ribolov.
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.
- FerméeHarbours, ports, public beaches and bathing areasmai 1 – oct. 1
Recreational and sport sea fishing (including spearfishing) is prohibited in harbours, small ports, public beaches and bathing places during the bathing season from 1 May to 1 October. Outside marked bathing areas spearfishing is otherwise permitted year-round (daylight only).
- RéglementéeAll spearfishing (daily time restriction)sunrise – sunset
Spearfishing is allowed exclusively during daylight, from sunrise to sunset; it is prohibited from sunset to sunrise (Zakon o morskom ribarstvu, čl. 31. st. 3).
Autorisation de pêcher
Licence
Ce dont vous avez besoin pour être autorisé dans l'eau, ce que cela coûte et comment l'obtenir.
Sport licences are sold through clubs/associations affiliated with the Croatian Federation for Sport Fishing at Sea (HSSRM); recreational licences via the Ministry's fisheries portal and authorised vendors. Issued in electronic form.
Obtenez votre licenceOuvre le portail officiel · hssrm.hr
- Type
- Sport fishing licence (sportska dozvola) - mandatory for spearfishing; recreational licence does NOT permit spearfishing
- Coût
- Annual sport/recreational licence for adults under 65: 46.45 EUR (2026 tariff). Daily licence 10 EUR, 3-day 25 EUR, 7-day 45 EUR, 150-day 79.63 EUR. Reduced rates for minors, war veterans (HRVI), pensioners and over-65s. (Pravilnik NN 48/2026, čl. 6.)
- Validité
- Daily (24h), 3-day (72h), 7-day (168h), 150-day, or annual (calendar year). Licences are non-transferable and issued electronically by the Ministry.
- Comment l'obtenir
- Sport licences are sold through clubs/associations affiliated with the Croatian Federation for Sport Fishing at Sea (HSSRM); recreational licences via the Ministry's fisheries portal and authorised vendors. Issued in electronic form.
- Autorité
- Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, šumarstva i ribarstva - Uprava ribarstva (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries - Directorate of Fisheries); sold via HSSRM member clubs
Matériel et technique
Règles d'équipement
Quel matériel est autorisé, comment il peut être utilisé et les conditions associées.
Restrictions
- Free-diving (breath-hold) only - use of diving apparatus / scuba enabling underwater breathing is prohibited (Zakon, čl. 31. st. 4)
- Maximum two (2) spearguns per fisher
- Daylight only, from sunrise to sunset (Zakon, čl. 31. st. 3)
- Mandatory diver marking / signal buoy per underwater-activity regulations (Zakon, čl. 31. st. 2)
- Towing a fisher by boat and/or use of an underwater scooter is prohibited (Pravilnik, čl. 9. st. 2)
- Minimum age 16 (Zakon, čl. 31. st. 5)
- Collecting marine organisms using diving apparatus is prohibited (Pravilnik, čl. on collection)
Spearfishing requires a sport (not recreational) licence. A signal float marking the diver's position is required; historically a minimum 10-litre signal buoy connected to the weight belt was specified.
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
5 kg of fish and other marine organisms per fisher per day, plus the weight of one fish/organism that exceeds the 5 kg threshold (Zakon, čl. 33. st. 3). Within this, live bivalves and snails up to 2 kg (mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis up to 5 kg).
Espèces protégées — ne pas prélever
- ProtégéeBluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) - prohibited except under specific trophy/competition quota schemes
- ProtégéeGroupers - kirnje (Polyprion americanus, Mycteroperca rubra): max 1 specimen total per day
- ProtégéeSharks and rays (Elasmobranchii) - protected/sensitive species must be released
- ProtégéeDate mussel / prstac (Lithophaga lithophaga) - strictly protected, harvest banned
Minimum reference (landing) sizes and closed seasons (lovostaji) for individual species are set by a separate regulation on protection of fish and marine organisms. Octopus (Octopus vulgaris): max 2 specimens/day. Selling the catch from sport/recreational fishing is prohibited.
Qui peut pêcher
Visiteurs et résidents
Comment les règles diffèrent pour les visiteurs étrangers et les résidents locaux.
Visiteurs étrangers
AutoriséeExigences
- Purchase the same sport licence as residents to spearfish (recreational licence does not allow spearfishing)
- Comply with minimum age 16, free-diving only, daylight only, signal buoy, and area/zone restrictions
Restrictions
- Sport licences are sold through HSSRM member clubs; foreigners commonly buy via a club or authorised vendor
- Same protected-area and seasonal bans apply (national parks, reserves, harbours/beaches 1 May - 1 October)
Foreign visitors may spearfish on the same terms as Croatians provided they hold a valid sport licence and follow all national rules.
Résidents
Sport fishing licence (sportska dozvola) for spearfishing; recreational licence (rekreacijska dozvola) for general angling (no speargun)
Exigences
- Valid electronic licence issued by the Ministry
- Minimum age 16 for speargun fishing
- Sport licence purchased via an HSSRM member club
Avantages
- Reduced annual fees for minors, war veterans (HRVI), pensioners, and persons over 65
- Free licences for certain categories (e.g. over-65 residents of islands/Pelješac, under certain conditions)
Persons under 14 may do recreational angling (one hand line) without a licence, but this does not cover spearfishing, which requires a sport licence and a minimum age of 16.
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
Spearfishing is permitted in the open Croatian Adriatic on a valid sport licence, outside national parks, special reserves, listed estuaries/bays, and outside harbours, ports and bathing areas (the latter banned 1 May - 1 October). Free-diving only, daylight only, with a signal buoy.
Sport licence required; min age 16; free-diving only (no scuba); daylight only; signal buoy mandatory; max 2 spearguns; 5 kg/day catch limit.
Zones interdites
- Kornati National Parknational park
Fishing and spearfishing prohibited within the national park; recreational/sport fishing only via the park's public institution under separate rules and generally not permitted for spearfishing.
- Brijuni National Parknational park
Fishing and spearfishing prohibited within the national park boundaries.
- Mljet National Parknational park
Fishing and spearfishing prohibited within the national park boundaries.
- Krka National Parknational park
National park (river Krka and estuary) - not a fishing zone; spearfishing prohibited.
- Lim channel (Limski kanal)special reserve
Fishing prohibited in the Lim channel (special reserve / aquaculture zone).
- Medulin bay and Klimno bay (island of Krk)protected bay / no-take area
Fishing prohibited in Medulin bay and in Klimno bay on the island of Krk.
- River estuaries (Dragonja, Mirna, Raša, Rječina, Zrmanja, Jadro, Žrnovnica, Cetina, Neretva, Rijeka Dubrovačka)estuary / special reserve
Fishing prohibited in the listed river estuaries and in Rijeka Dubrovačka.
- Harbours, ports, public beaches and bathing areasport / bathing area
Fishing/spearfishing prohibited in harbours, small ports, public beaches and bathing places (seasonally 1 May - 1 October).
Conditions sur l'eau
Conditions en direct
Aperçu marin et météo en direct près d'un point de référence côtier en Croatia, fourni par Open-Meteo. Les conditions varient le long de la côte — à considérer comme indicatives.
Conditions marines et météo en direct près de Kornati National Park.
Sur le terrain
Boutiques et charters locaux
Boutiques de matériel, charters, cours et clubs autour de Croatia. 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 Croatia. Proposés par la communauté et ne remplacent pas la vérification des règles et conditions locales.
Kornati Archipelago
Clear Adriatic water around the Kornati islands.
43.800°N, 15.350°E
À qui s'adresser
Autorités
Les organismes officiels responsables de la pêche et des licences.
Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, šumarstva i ribarstva - Uprava ribarstva (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries - Directorate of Fisheries)
fisheries authority
ribarstvo.mps.hrribarstvo.mps.hrHrvatski savez za sportski ribolov na moru (HSSRM) - Croatian Federation for Sport Fishing at Sea
national sport fishing federation (licence sales)
hssrm.hrhttps://www.hssrm.hrGovernment of the Republic of Croatia - e-service for recreational and sport sea fishing
government portal
gov.hrgov.hr
D'où cela provient
Sources
Chaque affirmation sur cette page renvoie à l'une de ces références.
- [01]
Zakon o morskom ribarstvu (Marine Fisheries Act), consolidated text
Officiellezakon.hrConsulté le juin 14 - [02]
Pravilnik o sportskom i rekreacijskom ribolovu na moru, NN 48/2026 (official PDF via HSSRM)
Officiellehssrm.hrConsulté le juin 14 - [03]
MPS Uprava ribarstva - Rekreacijski i športski ribolov na moru
Officielleribarstvo.mps.hrConsulté le juin 14 - [04]
Gov.hr - Rekreacijski i sportski ribolov na moru
Officiellegov.hrConsulté le juin 14 - [05]
HSSRM - Dozvole (licence info and sales)
Officiellehssrm.hrConsulté le juin 14 - [06]
Sea Fishing in Croatia: Regulations, licenses, prices - Croatia Traveller
Secondairecroatiatraveller.comConsulté le juin 14 - [07]
Fishing in Croatia - TheSailmaster (national parks / no-fishing zones)
Secondairethesailmaster.siConsulté le juin 14 - [08]
Rules in the Adriatic - Sea Spirit Adria (prohibited zones list)
Secondairesea-spirit-adria.comConsulté le juin 14
Notes du chercheur
Spearfishing is legal but restricted to a SPORT licence (not the recreational licence). Core restrictions (sport-only, age 16, free-diving only, daylight only, diver marking) are set in the Marine Fisheries Act art. 31, and the 5 kg/day limit in art. 33. The current implementing Rulebook is NN 48/2026 (in force May 2026), which delegates speargun restrictions to the Act and adds prohibitions on boat-towing and underwater scooters (art. 9). License fees are from the Pravilnik fee table (čl. 6); some figures (e.g. 150-day adult = 79.63 EUR, annual adult = 46.45 EUR) were read from the official PDF and may carry minor OCR uncertainty. Verbatim legal text for art. 31 and 33 was obtained from zakon.hr; verbatim Rulebook text from the official NN 48/2026 PDF hosted by HSSRM. Protected-area and harbour/beach prohibitions are corroborated by multiple secondary sources but exact park boundaries/coordinates are approximate centroids, not legal coordinates. Closed seasons and minimum sizes for individual species are governed by a separate species-protection regulation not fully captured here.
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