Tonga
Oceania · Polynesia
Recreational and subsistence spearfishing (free-diving, breath-hold) is a long-established, legal and common fishing method in Tonga and is expressly recognised in national fisheries policy as a small-scale fishing technique. However it is restricted: the Fisheries Management Act 2002 empowers the Minister to regulate spear guns, underwater breathing apparatus and underwater torches; the use of SCUBA (underwater breathing apparatus) for fishing is prohibited unless an exemption is granted by the Ministry of Fisheries. Spearfishing, like all fishing, is banned inside community Special Management Areas (SMAs) for non-members and entirely banned inside Fish Habitat Reserves (no-take zones within SMAs); these laws apply to all visitors including tourists and boaters. National species size limits and conservation rules (protected/no-take species, a sea-urchin closed season) apply to whatever is speared. Marine mammals (whales, dolphins) and several reef species are fully protected and may not be taken. Foreign visitors fish under the same rules as residents; recreational/sport fishing licence powers exist under the Act but are administered chiefly through commercial sport-fishing vessel (charter) licences rather than individual recreational permits.
Terakhir diperbarui Juni 15, 2026
Kerangka yang berlaku
- §Fisheries Management Act 2002 (Act No. 26 of 2002; CAP. 42.06, 2016 Revised Edition)
- §Fisheries Management (Conservation) Regulations 2008
- §Fisheries (Coastal Communities) Regulations 2009 (Special Management Areas)
- §Fisheries (Local Fishing) Regulations 2009
- §Tonga National Coastal Fisheries Management and Development Plan 2023-2026
- §Whale Watching and Swimming Regulations 2013
- Senapan tombak
- Diizinkan
- Scuba
- Dilarang
- Orang asing
- Diperbolehkan
Hukum, verbatim
Teks hukum
Ketentuan undang-undang dan regulasi persis yang mengatur spearfishing di sini, dikutip sebagaimana diterbitkan, dengan tautan ke setiap sumber resmi.
Regulation-making power over spear guns, underwater breathing apparatus and night fishing
Fisheries Management Act 2002 (CAP. 42.06, 2016 Revised Edition)
101 Regulations (1) The Minister may make regulations for the implementation of this Act. (2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1) the Minister may in such regulations provide for all or any of the following — ... (f) the use of underwater breathing apparatus and under water torches for night fishing and regulating the use of spear guns and other similar devices;
Regulation-making power over recreational/sport fishing and Special Management Areas
Fisheries Management Act 2002 (CAP. 42.06, 2016 Revised Edition)
(b) the organisation and administration of Coastal Communities and the conservation and management measures that may be applied in Special Management Areas designated to such coastal communities; (c) prescribing fisheries management and conservation measures, gear standards, minimum and a maximum species sizes, closed seasons, closed areas, prohibited methods of fishing gear and schemes for limiting entry into all or any specified fisheries; ... (e) sport or recreational fishing in the fisheries waters and requiring the holding of licences for persons engaging in sport or recreational fishing;
Exemption of non-commercial sport and subsistence vessels from registration
Fisheries Management Act 2002 (CAP. 42.06, 2016 Revised Edition)
(3) The Minister may, by Notice in the Gazette, exempt any local fishing vessel used only for sport fishing other than for reward or profit, or any local fishing vessel or non-motorised canoe used only for subsistence fishing, or a foreign fishing vessel registered on the Regional Register or any other regional register of fishing vessels maintained under a regional fisheries management agreement or arrangement, from the requirements of subsection (2).
Commercial sport (charter) fishing vessel licence requirement
Fisheries Management Act 2002 (CAP. 42.06, 2016 Revised Edition)
30 Commercial sport fishing Licences (1) No fishing vessel shall be used for reward or hire for sport fishing in the fisheries waters without a commercial sport fishing vessel licence issued by the Chief Executive Officer.
Spearfishing recognised as a small-scale fishing technique
Tonga National Coastal Fisheries Management and Development Plan 2023-2026
Fishing techniques may involve diving (including spearfishing), hand lining, netting or gleaning (often by women), octopus fishing (a'afeke), drop lining and trolling. ... This Plan applies to ... any fishing activities within that area that include, but are not limited to: i) net fishing ii) trolling, line and reef fishing iii) spear fishing.
Restrictions on protected marine species (turtles, giant clam, mud crab, pearl oyster)
Tonga National Coastal Fisheries Management and Development Plan 2023-2026
5.1 No person shall take, possess, sell or purchase any mud crab (Scylla serrata) carrying eggs. 5.2 No person shall sell giant clam (Tridacna spp) and turtle meat locally without inspection and authorization by the Ministry. ... 5.4 No person shall take, possess, sell or purchase any loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricate) meat locally, during the open season, without inspection and authorization by the Ministry. ... 5.6 No person can harvest wing pearl oyster from the wild without the authorization from the CEO, Ministry of Fisheries.
Kapan Anda bisa menyelam
Musim & pembatasan waktu
Periode tutup, buka, dan terbatas sepanjang tahun. Selalu pastikan penutupan spesifik per spesies secara setempat.
- TutupSea urchin (Tukumisi)Okt 1 – Nov 30
Sea urchin harvest is prohibited from October to November under the National Coastal Fisheries Management and Development Plan 2023-2026 (section 7.1, Closed Season).
Izin untuk menangkap
Lisensi
Apa yang Anda butuhkan untuk diizinkan di air, berapa biayanya, dan cara memperolehnya.
Subsistence and small-scale fishers register with the Ministry of Fisheries (vessel, gear and fisher registration). Net licences and export licences/permits are issued by the Ministry. Commercial sport (charter) fishing vessel licences are issued by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Fisheries.
Dapatkan lisensi AndaMembuka portal resmi · tongafish.gov.to
- Jenis
- No dedicated individual recreational spearfishing licence. Subsistence fishers must register with the Ministry of Fisheries; charter/guided sport-fishing operations require a commercial sport fishing vessel licence.
- Biaya
- unknown
- Masa berlaku
- unknown
- Cara memperoleh
- Subsistence and small-scale fishers register with the Ministry of Fisheries (vessel, gear and fisher registration). Net licences and export licences/permits are issued by the Ministry. Commercial sport (charter) fishing vessel licences are issued by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Fisheries.
- Otoritas
- Ministry of Fisheries (Tonga)
Peralatan & teknik
Aturan peralatan
Peralatan apa yang diizinkan, bagaimana boleh digunakan, dan syarat yang menyertainya.
Pembatasan
- Use of spear guns and similar devices is subject to regulation by the Minister under the Fisheries Management Act 2002, s.101(2)(f).
- Use of underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) for fishing is prohibited; an exemption can be obtained from the Ministry of Fisheries.
- Use of underwater breathing apparatus and underwater torches for night fishing is subject to ministerial regulation.
- Spearfishing is generally conducted by breath-hold (free) diving.
The Fisheries Management Act enables the Minister to regulate spear guns, SCUBA and underwater torches; secondary sources indicate SCUBA fishing is banned absent a Ministry exemption. Spearguns themselves remain a recognised, legal small-scale fishing tool when used by free-diving.
Apa yang boleh Anda ambil
Batas tangkapan & spesies dilindungi
Kuota harian, ukuran minimum, dan spesies yang tidak boleh pernah diambil.
Batas harian
No general national daily bag limit for subsistence spearfishing identified. Home-consumption export limit for finfish is 20 kg per person; commercial export limits apply per species (e.g. sea urchin/sea hares 50 kg/quarter, arch clams 20 kg/quarter).
Ukuran minimum
- Acanthurus triostegus (Manini, convict surgeonfish)min 17 cm
- Ctenochaetus striatus (Pone 'uli)min 17 cm
- Naso hexacanthus (Ume atu)min 54 cm
- Naso lituratus (Ume lei)min 22 cm
- Naso lopezi (Ume atu)min 32 cm
- Naso unicornis (Ume / 'Ume kaki)min 32 cm
- Lethrinus xanthochilus (Ngungutoa)min 43 cm
- Lethrinus obsoletus (Tanutanu)min 24 cm
- Lethrinus nebulosus (Koango / 'Ika hina)min 41 cm
- Lethrinus harak (Tanutanu)min 22 cm
- Lethrinus olivaceus (Ngutukao / Ngutuloloa)min 43 cm
- Hipposcarus longiceps (Olomea)min 32 cm
- Leptoscarus vaigiensis (Ufu)min 21 cm
- Scarus ghobban (Hohomo)min 41 cm
- Scarus globiceps (Hohomo)min 29 cm
- Scarus schlegeli (Hohomo)min 26 cm
- Bolbometopon muricatum (Sikatoki, bumphead parrotfish)min 69 cm
- Chlorurus microrhinos (Sikatoki)min 45 cm
- Siganus argenteus (Ma'ava)min 20 cm
- Siganus fuscescens (Ma'ava)min 20 cm
- Siganus vermiculatus (Pongongo)min 25 cm
- Siganus spinus (oo)min 14 cm
- Octopus (Feke)min 60 cm
Spesies dilindungi — jangan ambil
- DilindungiAll whales and dolphins (cetaceans) — fully protected from hunting/killing (royal ban since 1978; reaffirmed in fisheries legislation)
- DilindungiGiant grouper (prohibited to harvest or export — Fisheries Management (Conservation) Regulations 2008)
- DilindungiBumphead / humphead parrotfish (prohibited to harvest or export — Conservation Regulations 2008)
- DilindungiHumphead (Napoleon) wrasse (prohibited to harvest or export — Conservation Regulations 2008)
- DilindungiRays (prohibited to harvest or export — Conservation Regulations 2008)
- DilindungiLeatherback turtle — no take
- DilindungiSea turtles (loggerhead, green, hawksbill, olive ridley) — take restricted; closed/open seasons and ministry authorization required; size limits apply
- DilindungiGiant clam (Tridacna spp.) — commercial and home-consumption export prohibited; local sale requires ministry inspection
- DilindungiMud crab carrying eggs — no take
- DilindungiWing/winged pearl oyster — no wild harvest without CEO authorization
Size limits and protected-species rules are set out in the National Coastal Fisheries Management and Development Plan 2023-2026 (Tongan vernacular names retained). The Fisheries Management (Conservation) Regulations 2008 additionally prohibit harvest/export of giant grouper, bumphead parrotfish, humphead wrasse and rays (per secondary sources). Turtle minimum sizes listed in the Plan: olive ridley 66 cm, green 108 cm, loggerhead 100 cm, hawksbill 76 cm; leatherback = no take.
Siapa yang boleh menangkap
Pengunjung & penduduk
Bagaimana aturan berbeda bagi pengunjung asing dan penduduk lokal.
Pengunjung asing
DiizinkanPersyaratan
- Follow all Tongan fisheries and conservation laws, which expressly apply to all visitors including tourists and boaters.
- Do not fish or spearfish inside any Special Management Area (reserved for registered community members) or any Fish Habitat Reserve (no-take).
- Observe national size limits, the SCUBA fishing prohibition and protected-species rules.
Pembatasan
- No spearfishing/fishing in SMAs or Fish Habitat Reserves.
- No taking of protected species (whales, dolphins, listed reef fish, turtles, giant clam).
- Charter/guided sport-fishing operators must hold a commercial sport fishing vessel licence.
No specific evidence of a dedicated tourist spearfishing permit was found; visitors fish recreationally under the same national rules as residents. Where there is doubt over local SMA boundaries, boaters are advised to use the Ministry/community SMA chart overlays and to pay community anchorage fees where applicable.
Penduduk
Subsistence/small-scale fisher registration with the Ministry of Fisheries; SMA membership for community-managed areas.
Persyaratan
- Small-scale fishers undertaking subsistence or commercial fishing must register with the Ministry of Fisheries.
- Small-scale fishing vessels must be on the Ministry's Fishing Vessel Register; cast nets must be on the Cast Net Register.
- Only registered members of a coastal community may fish within that community's Special Management Area.
Keuntungan
- Registered SMA community members hold preferential/exclusive access to fish within their community's Special Management Area.
- Non-motorised subsistence canoes can be exempted from vessel registration by Gazette notice.
The Special Management Area (SMA) programme grants coastal communities stewardship and preferential access to adjacent marine areas under the Fisheries Management Act 2002 and the Fisheries (Coastal Communities) Regulations 2009.
Di mana di pesisir
Zona diizinkan & dilarang
Area bernama yang terbuka atau tertutup untuk spearfishing. Lihat gambaran lengkapnya pada peta interaktif.
Area diizinkan
Spearfishing (free-diving) is permitted as a small-scale/subsistence fishing method throughout Tonga's coastal waters (out to roughly the fringing reefs and the 12 nautical mile territorial sea), subject to national size limits, protected-species rules, the SCUBA prohibition, and exclusion from Special Management Areas where the diver is not a registered community member.
Free-diving only (no SCUBA without Ministry exemption); national species size limits apply; protected/no-take species may not be taken; must not enter another community's SMA or any Fish Habitat Reserve.
Area dilarang
- Special Management Areas (SMAs) — nationwide networkcommunity fishery management area (no fishing for non-members)
Community-managed Special Management Areas exist around most coastal communities across Tongatapu, Ha'apai and Vava'u. Within an SMA only registered members of the host community may fish; non-members, including tourists and visiting boaters, may not fish or spearfish. Tonga's fisheries and conservation laws apply to all visitors.
- Fish Habitat Reserves (FHRs) within SMAsno-take marine reserve
Each Special Management Area contains a permanent no-take Fish Habitat Reserve where all fishing, spearfishing and collection of marine life is strictly prohibited for everyone, including community members and visitors.
- Vava'u Special Management Areascommunity fishery management area / no-take zone
SMAs are scattered throughout the Vava'u island group, often near key islands and traditional fishing grounds, with designated 'No Anchoring, No Fishing or Fish Habitat' zones. Fishing and spearfishing by non-members is prohibited. Exact boundaries are published via OpenCPN chart overlays for boaters.
Kondisi di perairan
Kondisi langsung
Cuplikan langsung laut dan cuaca di dekat titik acuan pesisir di Tonga, dari Open-Meteo. Kondisi bervariasi sepanjang pesisir — anggap sebagai indikatif.
Laut & cuaca langsung di dekat Vava'u Special Management Areas.
Kepada siapa bertanya
Otoritas
Badan resmi yang bertanggung jawab atas perikanan dan perizinan.
Ministry of Fisheries (Kingdom of Tonga)
fisheries authority
tongafish.gov.toNuku'alofa, TongaForum Fisheries Agency (FFA) — regional
regional fisheries body
ffa.intHoniara, Solomon IslandsPacific Community (SPC) — Coastal Fisheries & Aquaculture
regional technical agency
cbfm.spc.intNoumea, New Caledonia
Dari mana asalnya
Sumber
Setiap klaim di halaman ini bersumber pada salah satu referensi berikut.
- [01]
Fisheries Management Act 2002 (CAP. 42.06, 2016 Revised Edition) — official text (Tonga Trade Portal)
Resmitonga.tradeportal.orgDiakses Jun 15 - [02]
Tonga National Coastal Fisheries Management and Development Plan 2023-2026 (FAOLEX)
Resmifaolex.fao.orgDiakses Jun 15 - [03]
Tonga Ministry of Fisheries — official website (regulations & legislation)
Resmitongafish.gov.toDiakses Jun 15 - [04]
Fisheries Management Act 2002 — Global Fishing Legislative Database (The Outlaw Ocean Project)
Sekundertheoutlawocean.comDiakses Jun 15 - [05]
Fisheries Management Act 2002 (No. 26 of 2002) — ECOLEX record
Sekunderecolex.orgDiakses Jun 15 - [06]
Navigating Vava'u Special Management Areas: A Guide for International Boaters in Tonga
communityblog.noforeignland.comDiakses Jun 15 - [07]
Tonga | SPC Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture (CBFM) — Special Management Areas
Sekundercbfm.spc.intDiakses Jun 15 - [08]
Whale Watching and Swimming Regulations 2013 — Tonga (Tonga Trade Portal)
Resmitonga.tradeportal.orgDiakses Jun 15
Catatan peneliti
Spearfishing in Tonga is legal but conditional. Key load-bearing findings, all source-backed: (1) The Fisheries Management Act 2002 (CAP. 42.06) gives the Minister power to regulate spear guns, SCUBA and underwater torches (s.101(2)(f)) and to require recreational/sport-fishing licences (s.101(2)(e)) — verbatim text captured from the official PDF. (2) SCUBA fishing is prohibited unless exempted by the Ministry (per secondary sources, consistent with the Act's enabling power); free-diving spearfishing is the norm and is recognised as a small-scale technique in the 2023-2026 Coastal Fisheries Plan. (3) Nationwide community Special Management Areas (SMAs) reserve fishing to registered community members, and Fish Habitat Reserves within them are full no-take zones — these apply to all visitors. (4) Detailed minimum size limits and protected-species/turtle/giant-clam rules and a sea-urchin closed season (Oct-Nov) come verbatim from the official Coastal Fisheries Plan. (5) The Fisheries Management (Conservation) Regulations 2008 additionally protect giant grouper, bumphead parrotfish, humphead wrasse and rays (confirmed via secondary sources; the primary regulation text was not directly retrieved). Confidence is MEDIUM: the Act and the Coastal Fisheries Plan were read verbatim from official PDFs, but the precise wording of the SCUBA-spearfishing prohibition and the 2008 Conservation Regulations was corroborated through secondary sources rather than fetched primary text. No per-individual recreational spearfishing licence regime was found; visitors fish under national rules. Coordinates for individual SMAs are not publicly itemised (boundaries are distributed via OpenCPN overlays); only an approximate Vava'u group centroid is given.
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