Nauru fringing reef and territorial sea (general coastal fisheries waters)

Reef-flat gleaning and spearfishing of reef fish (e.g. soldierfish/emon, surgeonfish/iubwiya), octopus and green snails are widespread traditional practices in Nauru's narrow fringing reef and internal/territorial waters. These are recognised as artisanal/subsistence fishing under the Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2020. The reef and lagoon are State-owned (no customary marine tenure), so no general permit is required for subsistence reef fishing, subject to the Act's discretionary controls.

Subject to Minister's powers to declare closed seasons, designate marine protected areas, set catch quotas/size limits and restrict gear or methods (ss.8, 23, 24), and to any community fisheries management area plan (Part 4). Explosives, firearms and poison are prohibited (s.62).

No specific gazetted closed season located as of June 2026.