SpearfishingMapa

Germany

Europe · Western Europe

Recreational spearfishing (Speerfischen / Harpunieren) is prohibited everywhere in Germany. Fishing law in Germany is regulated at the state (Land) level, and the fisheries acts of all 16 Bundesländer ban the use of spears, harpoons and other injuring devices for catching fish (with fishing hooks as the only exception). This applies to both inland waters and the marine coastal waters of the three coastal states (Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen / Lower Saxony). The prohibition is reinforced federally by the Animal Welfare Act (Tierschutzgesetz), which forbids causing pain, suffering or harm to a vertebrate without good reason and requires killing animals while avoiding pain. Separately, under the federal Weapons Act (Waffengesetz), a speargun/harpoon is classed as a weapon that may be acquired and possessed from age 18, but possession does not make its use for fishing lawful. No state offers a general permit for recreational spearfishing; the only statutory exceptions are narrow (e.g. scientific purposes, or eel fishing in Lower Saxony under a specific exemption).

Prohibited
Muinín sonraíMuinín ard

Nuashonraithe go deireanach Meitheamh 15, 2026

Creat rialaitheach

  • §Tierschutzgesetz (Animal Welfare Act), federal, as amended (§ 1, § 4)
  • §Waffengesetz (Weapons Act / WaffG), federal, 2002 as amended (§ 2, Anlage 2)
  • §Fischereigesetz für das Land Schleswig-Holstein (Landesfischereigesetz - LFischG), 10 February 1996 as amended (§ 31)
  • §Fischereigesetz für das Land Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LFischG M-V), 13 April 2005 as amended (§ 12)
  • §Niedersächsisches Fischereigesetz (Nds. FischG), as amended (§ 44)
Gunna spéire
Toirmiscthe
Coigríche
Ní ceadaítear

An dlí, focal ar fhocal

Téacsanna dlíthiúla

Na forálacha reachtúla agus rialála beachta a rialaíonn spearfishing anseo, luaite mar a foilsíodh, le nasc le gach foinse oifigiúil.

01§ 1 Satz 2Germany (federal) · federal

Prohibition of causing harm to animals without good reason

Tierschutzgesetz (Animal Welfare Act)

DEBunaidh

Niemand darf einem Tier ohne vernünftigen Grund Schmerzen, Leiden oder Schäden zufügen.

02§ 4 Abs. 1 Satz 1Germany (federal) · federal

Killing of vertebrate animals only while avoiding pain

Tierschutzgesetz (Animal Welfare Act)

DEBunaidh

Ein Wirbeltier darf nur unter wirksamer Schmerzausschaltung (Betäubung) in einem Zustand der Wahrnehmungs- und Empfindungslosigkeit oder sonst, soweit nach den gegebenen Umständen zumutbar, nur unter Vermeidung von Schmerzen getötet werden.

03§ 31 Abs. 1Schleswig-Holstein · state

Prohibited fishing methods in Schleswig-Holstein (Baltic and North Sea coast)

Fischereigesetz für das Land Schleswig-Holstein (Landesfischereigesetz - LFischG)

DEBunaidh

(1) Es ist verboten, beim Fischfang schädigende Mittel, insbesondere künstliches Licht, explodierende, betäubende und giftige Mittel sowie verletzende Geräte, mit Ausnahme von Angelhaken, anzuwenden. Langleinen bleiben der Erwerbsfischerei vorbehalten.

04§ 12 Abs. 1 Satz 1 Nr. 1Mecklenburg-Vorpommern · state

Prohibited fishing methods in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Baltic coast)

Fischereigesetz für das Land Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LFischG M-V)

DEBunaidh

Es ist verboten, bei der Fischerei Schusswaffen, Speere, Harpunen, Schlingen, künstliche Köder mit feststehendem Mehrfachhaken oder andere verletzende Geräte mit Ausnahme von Angelhaken [...] zu verwenden oder in gebrauchsfertigem Zustand auf oder an Gewässern mit sich zu führen.

05§ 44 Abs. 1 und Abs. 2Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony) · state

Prohibited fishing methods in Lower Saxony (North Sea coast)

Niedersächsisches Fischereigesetz (Nds. FischG)

DEBunaidh

(1) Es ist verboten, beim Fischfang anzuwenden: Sprengstoffe und ähnlich wirkende Stoffe, Mittel und Verfahren, die geeignet sind, die dem Fischereirecht unterliegenden Tiere zu betäuben oder zu vergiften, Leuchten und Fackeln, die dazu dienen, Tiere anzulocken oder zusammenzutreiben, Schußwaffen, Speere, Harpunen und Schlingen. (2) Der fischereikundliche Dienst (§ 60) kann für wissenschaftliche Zwecke Ausnahmen von den Verboten des Absatzes 1 zulassen; er kann Ausnahmen von dem Verbot des Absatzes 1 Nr. 2 auch für die Regulierung von Fischbeständen, von dem Verbot des Absatzes 1 Nr. 3 auch für den Aalfang zulassen.

06§ 2 WaffG (Anlage 2)Germany (federal) · federal

Harpoon classed as a weapon; minimum age 18 for acquisition, but use for spearfishing prohibited

Waffengesetz (WaffG) / commentary on Anlage 2

DEBunaidh

Laut § 2 WaffG ist die Abgabe einer Harpune, da eine Waffe, nur an Personen ab 18 Jahren gestattet. [...] Denn in Deutschland ist das Speerfischen untersagt, sodass eine Harpune zum Angeln oder Sportfischen nicht verwendet werden darf.

Cathain is féidir leat tumadh

Séasúir & srianta ama

Tréimhsí dúnta, oscailte agus srianta ar fud na bliana. Deimhnigh i gcónaí dúnta speicis-shonraithe go háitiúil.

Gan dúnadh séasúrach taifeadta — fíoraigh go háitiúil sula dtumfaidh tú.

Cead iascaireachta

Ceadúnas

Cad atá de dhíth ort le bheith ceadaithe san uisce, cad a chosnaíonn sé, agus conas é a fháil.

Ceadúnas: anaithnid — fíoraigh go háitiúiltrí Competent state (Land) fisheries authority

No license for recreational spearfishing exists. Narrow statutory exceptions (e.g. scientific purposes) may be granted by the competent state fisheries authority; in Lower Saxony a specific exemption exists only for eel fishing under § 44 Abs. 2 Nds. FischG.

Faigh do cheadúnas

Osclaíonn an tairseach oifigiúil · gesetze-im-internet.de

Cineál
Not applicable - recreational spearfishing is prohibited and cannot be licensed. A general angling permit (Fischereischein plus Erlaubnisschein) does not authorise spearfishing.
Conas a fháil
No license for recreational spearfishing exists. Narrow statutory exceptions (e.g. scientific purposes) may be granted by the competent state fisheries authority; in Lower Saxony a specific exemption exists only for eel fishing under § 44 Abs. 2 Nds. FischG.
Údarás
Competent state (Land) fisheries authority
Tairseach ceadúnaithe oifigiúil · gesetze-im-internet.de

Trealamh & teicníc

Rialacha trealamh

Cén trealamh atá ceadaithe, conas is féidir é a úsáid, agus na coinníollacha ceangailte.

Gunna spéireToirmiscthe

Srianta

  • Use of spears (Speere), harpoons (Harpunen) and other injuring devices for fishing is prohibited in all German states; only fishing hooks (Angelhaken) are permitted as a catching device.
  • A speargun/harpoon is classed as a weapon under the Weapons Act (WaffG) and may only be acquired/transferred to persons aged 18 or over (§ 2 WaffG).
  • Possession of a speargun is lawful from age 18, but using it to catch fish is prohibited (Speerfischen untersagt).

The ban is on the use of injuring devices for fishing, not on owning a speargun. Owning a speargun (e.g. for use abroad) is legal from age 18; using it in German waters to take fish is not.

Cad is féidir leat a ghlacadh

Teorainneacha gabháil & speicis chosanta

Cuótaí laethúla, méideanna íosta, agus speicis nach féidir a thógáil go deo.

Teorainn laethúil

Not applicable - recreational spearfishing is prohibited.

Catch limits and minimum sizes apply to lawful angling (rod and line) under each state's fisheries regulations, but are not relevant to spearfishing because spearfishing itself is prohibited.

Cé is féidir iascaireacht

Cuairteoirí & cónaitheoirí

Conas a dhéanann na rialacha difear do chuairteoirí coigríche agus do chónaitheoirí áitiúla.

Cuairteoirí coigríche

Ní ceadaítear

Srianta

  • The prohibition on spearfishing applies to everyone in German waters regardless of nationality or residence.
  • A foreign spearfishing/freediving qualification does not authorise spearfishing in Germany.

Foreign visitors are subject to the same prohibition as German residents. Spearfishing licences or experience obtained abroad confer no rights in Germany.

Cónaitheoirí

Not applicable - no spearfishing licence exists for residents.

German residents may obtain an angling licence (Fischereischein) for rod-and-line fishing, but this does not permit spearfishing. The prohibition applies equally to residents.

Cá háit ar an gcósta

Criosanna ceadaithe & toirmiscthe

Ceantair ainmnithe atá oscailte nó dúnta do spearfishing. Féach an pictiúr iomlán ar an mapa idirghníomhach.

Ceantair thoirmiscthe

  • All German marine and inland watersnational prohibition (all waters)

    Recreational spearfishing with spears, harpoons or other injuring devices is prohibited in all German waters under the fisheries acts of all 16 federal states. There are no zones where recreational spearfishing is permitted, including the Baltic Sea (Ostsee) and North Sea (Nordsee) coastal waters.

    apnoetauchen-lernen.de
  • Wadden Sea National Parks (Nationalpark Schleswig-Holsteinisches / Niedersächsisches / Hamburgisches Wattenmeer)national park / UNESCO World Heritage marine protected area

    Protected marine and intertidal areas along the German North Sea coast with strict nature-conservation rules; spearfishing is prohibited as elsewhere in Germany and additional conservation restrictions apply.

    apnoetauchen-lernen.de
  • Nationalpark Schleswig-Holsteinisches Wattenmeernational park / UNESCO World Heritage marine protected area

    North Sea Wadden Sea national park along the Schleswig-Holstein coast (from the Danish border to the Elbe estuary), ~441,500 ha. Spearfishing is prohibited nationwide in Germany; additional strict nature-conservation rules apply in this marine/intertidal MPA.

    en.wikipedia.org
  • Nationalpark Niedersächsisches Wattenmeernational park / UNESCO World Heritage marine protected area

    Lower Saxony Wadden Sea national park covering the East Frisian Islands, mudflats and salt marshes from the Bay of Dollart on the Dutch border to Cuxhaven/Outer Elbe, ~345,800 ha. Spearfishing is prohibited everywhere in Germany; this is also a strictly protected marine MPA.

    en.wikipedia.org
  • Nationalpark Hamburgisches Wattenmeernational park / UNESCO World Heritage marine protected area

    Hamburg Wadden Sea national park in the North Sea / Elbe mouth northwest of Cuxhaven, including the islands of Neuwerk, Scharhörn and Nigehörn, ~13,750 ha. Spearfishing is prohibited nationwide; this is a strictly protected marine MPA.

    en.wikipedia.org
  • Nationalpark Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaftnational park / marine protected area (Baltic Sea)

    Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's largest national park on the Baltic Sea coast between the Darss-Zingst peninsula, Hiddensee island and the west coast of Rügen, ~78,600 ha (over 80% Baltic Sea and brackish Bodden lagoons). Spearfishing is prohibited everywhere in Germany; this Baltic marine MPA has additional conservation restrictions.

    en.wikipedia.org
  • Nationalpark Jasmundnational park / marine protected area (Baltic Sea)

    Germany's smallest national park on the east coast of Rügen between Sassnitz and Lohme (Baltic Sea), with chalk cliffs (Königsstuhl) and a protected marine component of submarine chalk ridges, boulder fields and mussel beds. Spearfishing is prohibited nationwide; additional protection applies in this Baltic MPA.

    en.wikipedia.org
Féach ar mhapa

Coinníollacha ar an uisce

Coinníollacha beo

Grianghraf muirí agus aimsire beo in aice le pointe tagartha cósta in Germany, ó Open-Meteo. Athraíonn coinníollacha feadh an chósta — caith leis mar tháscaire.

Muirí beo & aimsir in aice le Wadden Sea National Parks (Nationalpark Schleswig-Holsteinisches / Niedersächsisches / Hamburgisches Wattenmeer).

Coinníollacha

Cé le fiafraí

Údaráis

Na comhlachtaí oifigiúla atá freagrach as iascach agus ceadúnú.

  • Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL) - Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture

    fisheries / agriculture ministry (federal)

    bmel.de

  • Landesamt für Landwirtschaft, Lebensmittelsicherheit und Fischerei Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LALLF M-V)

    state fisheries authority

    lallf.de

  • Ministerium für Landwirtschaft, ländliche Räume, Europa und Verbraucherschutz Schleswig-Holstein (Fischereibehörde)

    state fisheries authority

    schleswig-holstein.de

  • Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit (LAVES) - Dezernat Binnenfischerei

    state fisheries / consumer protection authority

    laves.niedersachsen.de

Cá as a dtagann sé seo

Foinsí

Rianaíonn gach éileamh ar an leathanach seo ar ais go ceann de na tagairtí seo.

  1. [01]

    Tierschutzgesetz § 1 (gesetze-im-internet.de, official federal law portal)

    Oifigiúil
    gesetze-im-internet.deRochtain Mei 15
  2. [02]

    Tierschutzgesetz § 4 (gesetze-im-internet.de, official federal law portal)

    Oifigiúil
    gesetze-im-internet.deRochtain Mei 15
  3. [03]

    Fischereigesetz für das Land Schleswig-Holstein (LFischG), official state PDF

    Oifigiúil
    schleswig-holstein.deRochtain Mei 15
  4. [04]

    Fischereigesetz für das Land Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LFischG M-V), § 12 (umwelt-online)

    Oifigiúil
    umwelt-online.deRochtain Mei 15
  5. [05]

    Niedersächsisches Fischereigesetz (Nds. FischG), § 44 - FAO FAOLEX legal database PDF

    Oifigiúil
    faolex.fao.orgRochtain Mei 15
  6. [06]

    Harpune gemäß Waffengesetz - explanation of WaffG age limit and spearfishing prohibition

    Tánaisteach
    bussgeldkatalog.netRochtain Mei 15
  7. [07]

    Speerfischen in Deutschland? Geht das? (apnoetauchen-lernen.de, dive education site)

    Tánaisteach
    apnoetauchen-lernen.deRochtain Mei 15
  8. [08]

    Spearfishing in Europe - Law, Rules and Restrictions (harpune.info)

    community
    harpune.infoRochtain Mei 15

Nótaí taighdeora

Germany has a sea coastline (Baltic Sea and North Sea), but recreational spearfishing is prohibited nationwide. Fishing law is a competence of the federal states (Länder), and each state's fisheries act bans spears/harpoons or, more broadly, 'verletzende Geräte mit Ausnahme von Angelhaken' (injuring devices except fishing hooks). Verbatim provisions were captured for the three coastal states (Schleswig-Holstein § 31, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern § 12, Niedersachsen § 44) plus the federal Animal Welfare Act (§ 1, § 4). The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern § 12 verbatim text was retrieved from umwelt-online and includes a bracketed ellipsis marking omitted enumerated items between the listed gear and the 'mit sich zu führen' clause; the listed gear and the Angelhaken exception are quoted exactly. The federal Weapons Act (WaffG) treats a harpoon/speargun as a weapon: acquisition/possession is allowed from age 18, but using it for fishing is prohibited. No seasons or allowed zones exist because the activity itself is illegal. data_confidence is high: the core prohibition is confirmed by official verbatim statutory text from multiple jurisdictions and corroborated by secondary sources. The only narrow statutory exceptions are for scientific purposes (all states) and eel fishing in Lower Saxony (§ 44 Abs. 2 Nds. FischG); there is no general recreational-spearfishing permit anywhere in Germany.

Fan cothrom le dátaRochtain luath

Cuir in iúl dom nuair a athraíonn rialacha Germany

Seolfaimid ríomhphost chugat nuair a nuashonraítear séasúir nó rialacháin Germany inár dtacar sonraí.

Cuir in iúl dom faoi

Gan turscar — foláirimh athraithe amháin. Díscríobh am ar bith. Ní dhíolaimid do ríomhphost go deo.