Mauritius
Africa · Eastern Africa
Recreational spearfishing with a speargun is prohibited in Mauritius. National fisheries law makes it an offence to fish with, or have in one's possession, a speargun. 'Underwater fishing' (fishing by diving or using a snorkel, flippers, goggles, diving belt, compressed air cylinder or similar equipment) requires written authorisation/licence, and such a licence may only be issued for catching ornamental fish or other approved purposes - it is not available for recreational spearfishing. Possession of a diving cylinder for underwater fishing is separately prohibited, and being found with fish together with a diving cylinder is deemed to be underwater fishing. The prohibition is identical under the Fisheries and Marine Resources Act 2007 (the long-standing consolidated law) and the newer Fisheries Act 2023 (Act No. 15 of 2023). A narrow exception in the law lets the authorities grant written approval for a speargun, but in practice no recreational spearfishing permits are issued. Hand-propelled fish spears combined with a catapult/elastic band are also a prohibited harmful fishing method without a licence.
Dernière mise à jour juin 14, 2026
Cadre réglementaire
- §Fisheries and Marine Resources Act 2007 (Act No. 27 of 2007), consolidated as at 2017 - in force
- §Fisheries Act 2023 (Act No. 15 of 2023) - repeals and replaces the Fisheries and Marine Resources Act; commences on dates fixed by Proclamation
- §Fisheries and Marine Resources (Marine Protected Areas) Regulations 2001
- Licence requise
- Requise
- Fusil harpon
- Interdit
- Plongée bouteille
- Interdit
- Étrangers
- Non autorisé
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.
Prohibition on possession/use of a speargun (current consolidated law)
Fisheries and Marine Resources Act 2007 (Act No. 27 of 2007)
No person shall ... fish with, or have in his possession, a speargun, except with the written approval of the Permanent Secretary.
Definition of 'speargun' (current consolidated law)
Fisheries and Marine Resources Act 2007 (Act No. 27 of 2007)
"speargun" means a device fitted with a trigger and a spear.
Underwater fishing requires authorisation (current consolidated law)
Fisheries and Marine Resources Act 2007 (Act No. 27 of 2007)
(1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall carry out underwater fishing without the written authorisation of the Permanent Secretary. (2) The Permanent Secretary may, under such terms and conditions he may determine, authorise underwater fishing for - (a) scientific purposes; (b) the purpose of catching ornamental fish; or (c) such other purpose as he may approve.
Definition of 'underwater fishing' (current consolidated law)
Fisheries and Marine Resources Act 2007 (Act No. 27 of 2007)
"underwater fishing" means fishing by diving or with the use of a snorkel, flippers, goggles or similar equipment.
Prohibition of harmful fishing methods, including spear gun (new Act)
Fisheries Act 2023 (Act No. 15 of 2023)
38. Prohibition of use of harmful fishing methods and sale of fish caught using such methods (1) No person shall, unless he holds a valid and applicable licence - (a) engage in fishing with - ... (vi) a fish spear, or zaleine or tate in conjunction with a catapult, a rubber or an elastic band; ... (f) fish with, or have in his possession, a spear gun; or (g) make use of a net in a pass or place in a pass any object likely to cause obstruction to navigation. (2) Where an article specified in subsection (1)(a), (b), (c) or (f) is found on board a fishing vessel, it shall be presumed to be used for fishing. (3) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall commit an offence.
Definition of 'spear gun' (new Act)
Fisheries Act 2023 (Act No. 15 of 2023)
"spear gun" means an implement fitted with a trigger and a spear, whether in a fully mounted or dismantled form;
Definition of 'underwater fishing' (new Act)
Fisheries Act 2023 (Act No. 15 of 2023)
"underwater fishing" means fishing by diving or with the use of a snorkel, flippers, goggles, diving belt, compressed air cylinder or other similar equipment;
Licence required for underwater fishing; possession of diving cylinder prohibited (new Act)
Fisheries Act 2023 (Act No. 15 of 2023)
129. Licence required for underwater fishing (1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall engage in underwater fishing without a valid and applicable licence. (2) A licence for underwater fishing may only be issued for the purpose of catching ornamental fish or such other purpose as the supervising officer may determine. (3) No person shall, for the purpose of underwater fishing, be in possession of a diving cylinder. (4) Any person who contravenes subsection (1), (2) or (3) shall commit an offence. (5) Any person who is found to be in possession of fish, together with a diving cylinder, shall be deemed to have been engaged in underwater fishing.
Repeal of the Fisheries and Marine Resources Act (new Act)
Fisheries Act 2023 (Act No. 15 of 2023)
207. Repeal The Fisheries and Marine Resources Act is repealed.
Commencement by Proclamation (new Act)
Fisheries Act 2023 (Act No. 15 of 2023)
210. Commencement (1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by Proclamation. (2) Different dates may be fixed for the coming into operation of different sections of this Act.
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.
Aucune fermeture saisonnière enregistrée — vérifiez localement avant de plonger.
Autorisation de pêcher
Licence
Ce dont vous avez besoin pour être autorisé dans l'eau, ce que cela coûte et comment l'obtenir.
Written authorisation/licence from the supervising officer (formerly the Permanent Secretary) of the fisheries authority; issued only for catching ornamental fish or other approved purposes, not for recreational spearfishing.
Obtenez votre licenceOuvre le portail officiel · mauritiusassembly.govmu.org
- Type
- Underwater fishing licence (ornamental-fish / approved-purpose only); no recreational spearfishing licence is available
- Coût
- unknown
- Validité
- unknown
- Comment l'obtenir
- Written authorisation/licence from the supervising officer (formerly the Permanent Secretary) of the fisheries authority; issued only for catching ornamental fish or other approved purposes, not for recreational spearfishing.
- Autorité
- Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping (Fisheries Division)
Matériel et technique
Règles d'équipement
Quel matériel est autorisé, comment il peut être utilisé et les conditions associées.
Restrictions
- Fishing with, or possession of, a spear gun is an offence (Fisheries Act 2023 s.38(1)(f); Fisheries and Marine Resources Act 2007 s.12(1)(h)).
- Possession of a diving cylinder for the purpose of underwater fishing is prohibited (Fisheries Act 2023 s.129(3)).
- Being found with fish together with a diving cylinder is deemed to be underwater fishing (Fisheries Act 2023 s.129(5)).
- A fish spear used in conjunction with a catapult, rubber or elastic band is a prohibited harmful fishing method without a licence (Fisheries Act 2023 s.38(1)(a)(vi)).
- A speargun found on board a fishing vessel is presumed to be used for fishing (Fisheries Act 2023 s.38(2)).
A plain hand-propelled fish spear is exempt from gear licensing (Fisheries Act 2023 s.124; FMRA 2007 s.26), but spearguns and powered/elastic-assisted spears are prohibited. Diving/snorkelling for sightseeing is unaffected; the prohibition targets fishing while submerged and use of spearguns.
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
unknown
Spearfishing is prohibited, so no spearfishing-specific catch or size limits apply. General fisheries catch controls, total allowable catch and protected-species rules exist under the Fisheries Act 2023 but are not specific to spearfishing.
Qui peut pêcher
Visiteurs et résidents
Comment les règles diffèrent pour les visiteurs étrangers et les résidents locaux.
Visiteurs étrangers
Non autoriséeRestrictions
- The prohibition on spearguns and on unlicensed underwater fishing applies to everyone, including tourists and foreign nationals. There is no recreational spearfishing permit for visitors.
Tourists are commonly warned not to bring spearguns into Mauritius; importation/possession of a speargun is restricted and recreational spearfishing is not permitted. The Saint Brandon (Cargados Carajos) outer islands also prohibit spearfishing under their visitor rules.
Résidents
No recreational spearfishing licence available to residents
Mauritian residents are subject to the same prohibition; the only underwater-fishing licences available are for ornamental fish or other approved (non-recreational) purposes.
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
- Blue Bay Marine Parkmarine park
353 ha marine park in the south-east of Mauritius near Mahebourg; declared a national park in October 1997, granted Marine Park status under the Fisheries and Marine Resources Act in June 2000, and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance since 2008. Fishing/spearfishing prohibited as a protected marine park. Coordinates from Ramsar/geolocation sources.
- Balaclava Marine Parkmarine park
485 ha marine park off the north-west coast of Mauritius, at the mouth of the Citron River near Triolet, between Port Louis and Grand Bay. Designated marine park where fishing is restricted/prohibited.
- Black River Fishery Reservefishing reserve
Fishing reserve on the west coast of Mauritius established under fisheries law; fishing restricted.
- Grand Port Fishing Reservefishing reserve
Fishing reserve in the south-east of Mauritius established under fisheries law; fishing restricted.
- Port Louis Fishery Reservefishing reserve
Fishing reserve in the Port Louis area established under fisheries law; fishing restricted.
- Poste Lafayette Fishing Reservefishing reserve
Fishing reserve on the east coast of Mauritius established under fisheries law; fishing restricted.
- Poudre d'Or Fishery Reservefishing reserve
Fishing reserve on the north-east coast of Mauritius established under fisheries law; fishing restricted.
- Trou d'Eau Douce Fishery Reservefishing reserve
Fishing reserve on the east coast of Mauritius established under fisheries law; fishing restricted.
Conditions sur l'eau
Conditions en direct
Aperçu marin et météo en direct près d'un point de référence côtier en Mauritius, fourni par Open-Meteo. Les conditions varient le long de la côte — à considérer comme indicatives.
Conditions marines et météo en direct près de Blue Bay Marine Park.
À qui s'adresser
Autorités
Les organismes officiels responsables de la pêche et des licences.
Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping - Fisheries Division
fisheries authority
Albion Fisheries Research Centre (AFRC)
fisheries research and management authority
D'où cela provient
Sources
Chaque affirmation sur cette page renvoie à l'une de ces références.
- [01]
Fisheries and Marine Resources Act 2007 (consolidated to 2017) - MauritiusLII
Officiellemauritiuslii.orgConsulté le juin 14 - [02]
Fisheries Act 2023 (Act No. 15 of 2023) - Mauritius National Assembly (full text PDF)
Officiellemauritiusassembly.govmu.orgConsulté le juin 14 - [03]
Fisheries and Marine Resources (Marine Protected Areas) Regulations 2001 - ECOLEX
Officielleecolex.orgConsulté le juin 14 - [04]
Marine Protected Areas of Mauritius - MPAtlas
Secondaireold.mpatlas.orgConsulté le juin 14 - [05]
Blue Bay Marine Park - Wikipedia
Secondaireen.wikipedia.orgConsulté le juin 14 - [06]
Balaclava and Blue Bay Marine Parks - Solimar International
Secondairesolimarinternational.comConsulté le juin 14 - [07]
Saint Brandon (Cargados Carajos) Visitors Rules & Regulations
Secondairestbrandon.comConsulté le juin 14
Notes du chercheur
Spearfishing with a speargun is illegal in Mauritius. Verbatim prohibitions were retrieved from two official sources: (1) the Fisheries and Marine Resources Act 2007 as consolidated to 2017 on the official MauritiusLII portal (currently the operative consolidated law), and (2) the Fisheries Act 2023 (Act No. 15 of 2023) full-text PDF on the Mauritius National Assembly website. The 2023 Act repeals the 2007 Act (s.207) but commences on dates fixed by Proclamation (s.210); section 2 was already amended with effect from 27 July 2024, indicating the new Act is at least partly in operation. Crucially, the substantive spearfishing prohibition is identical under both instruments, so the legal conclusion (spearguns and unlicensed underwater fishing prohibited) holds regardless of the exact commencement status of each 2023 section. The law permits the authority to grant written approval for a speargun (FMRA 2007 s.12(1)(h)) or an underwater-fishing licence for ornamental fish (s.129/13), but no recreational spearfishing permit exists. Marine park/fishing-reserve coordinates other than Blue Bay were not available from primary sources; only Blue Bay coordinates are included (Ramsar/geolocation). data_confidence is high because the core prohibition is sourced verbatim from two official legislative texts.
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