Greece

Áreas permitidas

• Open coastal waters (general)

  Spearfishing by breath-hold freediving is permitted along most of the Greek coastline and around the islands, subject to the PD 373/1985 distance rules (>=200 m from swimmers, harbour works, vessels, anchored ships and marked nets; not in vessel transit lanes or harbour entrances), the May and night closures, and the diver-down buoy requirement.

  No scuba/air apparatus; no pneumatic/explosive spearguns; min. 200 m from swimmers/harbours/vessels/nets; mandatory yellow buoy with red-striped 'Υ.Δ.' flag; stay within 50 m of buoy; 5 kg/day catch cap; no sale of catch.

  alieia.hcg.gr

Áreas prohibidas

• National Marine Park of Alonissos Northern Sporades (core Zone A, incl. Piperi island)national marine park / Natura 2000 (SAC)

  Greece's first and the Mediterranean's largest marine park, protecting the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus). The strictly protected core zone (Zone A, centred on Piperi) bars general access and fishing; spearfishing is not permitted in the protected core. Commercial fishing in the wider park is restricted to coastal vessels with nets/longlines/traps.

  necca.gov.gr
• Harbours, harbour entrances/exits, anchorages and vessel transit lanesoperational/port exclusion zone

  Spearfishing is prohibited within harbour areas, their entrances and exits, anchorages and marine vessel transit lanes, and within 200 m of harbour works, navigational marks, vessels, anchored ships and marked fishing nets (PD 373/1985, Art. 3 para. 1d-e).

  alieia.hcg.gr
• Designated swimming areasbathing/swimmer safety zone

  Spearfishing is prohibited within 200 m of points where bathers usually swim (PD 373/1985, Art. 3 para. 1d(1)).

  alieia.hcg.gr
• Natura 2000 marine sites and military zones (general)marine protected area / military zone

  Spearfishing is generally off-limits in Natura 2000 marine protected areas and in military zones; specific boundaries and rules vary and must be checked locally.

  wwf.gr
• National Marine Park of Zakynthos (Laganas Bay)national marine park

  National Marine Park of Zakynthos in Laganas Bay (southern Zakynthos, Ionian Sea), a protected area established to protect the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). Fishing activities are strictly prohibited inside the marine zones (Zones A and B cover the nesting beaches Sekania, Dafni, Gerakas, Kalamaki and Marathonisi islet); a general fishing ban necessarily covers spearfishing. Recreational vessels are restricted (Zone A no boats; Zones B/C max 6 knots).

  en.wikipedia.org
• Gyaros Island Marine Protected Area (Nisos Gyaros kai Thalassia Zoni)marine protected area / Natura 2000 (SAC+SPA)

  The uninhabited island of Gyaros in the northern Cyclades and its surrounding 3-nautical-mile marine zone are designated as a Natura 2000 site (GR4220033) and, since 2019, a formally managed Marine Protected Area. A Presidential Decree issued on 16 April 2026 permanently codified the protection zones and management rules. Following a brief and damaging opening in summer 2022, the MPA was upgraded to a full no-take zone (NTZ) with all fishing—including recreational spearfishing—banned throughout the protected marine area; the Hellenic Coast Guard enforces the ban with a remote surveillance system (radar, infrared cameras, drones).

  greekreporter.com
• Strofades Islands (National Marine Park of Zakynthos – Zone Ib)national marine park zone

  The Strofades (islands Stamfani and Arpyia), located approximately 50 km south of Zakynthos, form a distinct marine protection zone (Zone Ib) within the National Marine Park of Zakynthos as established by Presidential Decree 906D of 22 December 1999. A 500-metre marine buffer around the islands protects monk seal habitat and seabird colonies; recreational fishing, including spearfishing, is explicitly prohibited in all NMPZ marine zones under the same decree.

  en.wikipedia.org
• Amorgos FRA – Nikouria Islet Fisheries Restricted Areafisheries restricted area (presidential decree)

  One of three year-round no-fishing zones established around Amorgos by Presidential Decree No. 73 (Government Gazette No. 148, 18 August 2025), under the fisher-led Amorgorama conservation initiative. The zone covers the marine area around the uninhabited islet of Nikouria, located off the coast of Agios Pavlos beach on Amorgos (Cyclades). All fishing – commercial and recreational, including spearfishing – is permanently prohibited within the zone. A separate seasonal ban (1 April – 31 May annually) also applies within 1.5 nautical miles of the entire Amorgos coastline for all fishing including recreational. The three FRAs are enforced by GPS tracking and fines up to €3,000.

  cycladespreservationfund.org
• Amorgos FRA – Katapola Bay Fisheries Restricted Areafisheries restricted area (presidential decree)

  One of three year-round no-fishing zones established around Amorgos by Presidential Decree No. 73 (Government Gazette No. 148, 18 August 2025), under the fisher-led Amorgorama conservation initiative. The zone covers Katapola bay, the main port bay of Amorgos (Cyclades). All fishing – commercial and recreational, including spearfishing – is permanently prohibited within the designated zone boundaries. The decree was prepared by the Agricultural University of Athens and enforced by GPS tracking; fines up to €3,000 for violations. Fishing restrictions began April 2026.

  cycladespreservationfund.org
• Amorgos FRA – Gramvousa Islet Fisheries Restricted Areafisheries restricted area (presidential decree)

  One of three year-round no-fishing zones established around Amorgos by Presidential Decree No. 73 (Government Gazette No. 148, 18 August 2025), under the fisher-led Amorgorama conservation initiative. The zone covers the waters around the small uninhabited islet of Gramvousa (Gramvoussa) off the south-west tip of Amorgos near Kalotaritissa bay. All fishing – commercial and recreational, including spearfishing – is permanently prohibited within the designated zone. Together with the Nikouria and Katapola zones, these three FRAs form the first fisher-proposed marine conservation reserve in the Cyclades.

  cycladespreservationfund.org