SpearfishingMap

Cayman Islands

Americas · Caribbean

Spearfishing with a speargun (broadly defined to include Hawaiian sling, pole spear, harpoon, etc.) is illegal in Cayman waters unless the user holds a licence from the National Conservation Council / Marine Conservation Board. Licences are granted only to Caymanians over 18. There is no recreational spearfishing access for foreigners or non-licensed residents. Even licensed users face strict limits: a maximum of three fish per day and six in possession, no use in marine parks, replenishment zones or environmental zones, no use in lagoons/sounds or water 20 feet or shallower, no use within ~200 yards of a vessel flying a dive flag, and no use within one mile of a Designated Grouper Spawning Area (Nov 1 - Mar 31). Nassau grouper and parrotfish may not be taken by speargun. Importing spearguns or speargun parts is prohibited. The licence regime is administered by the Department of Environment under the National Conservation Act, 2013 (which replaced the Marine Conservation Law) and the National Conservation (Marine Parks) Regulations, 2021. As of the March 2026 Conservation Council vote, the DoE was preparing to resume issuing/renewing speargun licences with education and enforcement measures in place.

Restricted
Affidabilità dei datiAffidabilità alta

Ultimo aggiornamento Marzo 30, 2026

Quadro normativo di riferimento

  • §National Conservation Act, 2013 (in force 2013; replaced the Marine Conservation Law)
  • §Marine Conservation Law (2013 Revision) - Law 19 of 1978 as consolidated (historical instrument; provisions carried into current regulations)
  • §National Conservation (Marine Parks) Regulations, 2021 (enhanced marine parks, effective 12 March 2021)
Licenza obbligatoria
Obbligatoria
Fucile subacqueo
Consentito
Autorespiratore
Vietato
Stranieri
Non consentito

La legge, integrale

Testi legali

Le esatte disposizioni di legge e regolamentari che disciplinano la pesca subacquea qui, citate come pubblicate, con un link a ogni fonte ufficiale.

01Section 2 (interpretation)Cayman Islands · national

Definition of 'spear gun'

Marine Conservation Law (2013 Revision), Law 19 of 1978 as consolidated

ENOriginale

“spear gun” includes a mechanical or pneumatic spear gun, a Hawaiian sling, a pole spear, a stick spear, harpoon, rod or any device with a pointed end which may be used to impale, stab or pierce any marine life but does not include a striker;

02Section 15(1)Cayman Islands · national

Use of spear guns prohibited (licence requirement)

Marine Conservation Law (2013 Revision), Law 19 of 1978 as consolidated

ENOriginale

15. (1) A person who has a spear gun in his possession in the Islands or takes any marine life with the aid of a spear gun in Cayman waters or has in his possession any marine life taken from Cayman waters with the aid of a spear gun commits an offence unless licensed by the Board who may, in granting such licence, make such conditions as to possession and use as it may think fit.

03Section 15(2)Cayman Islands · national

Spear gun catch and possession limits

Marine Conservation Law (2013 Revision), Law 19 of 1978 as consolidated

ENOriginale

(2) A person who, being licensed under subsection (1), in any one day, takes more than three fish from Cayman waters by the use of a spear gun or who has in his possession more than six fish which have been caught by a spear gun commits an offence.

04Section 14Cayman Islands · national

Fishing by divers prohibited (underwater breathing apparatus)

Marine Conservation Law (2013 Revision), Law 19 of 1978 as consolidated

ENOriginale

14. Subject to section 18, any person who, while equipped with any kind of underwater breathing apparatus, takes any marine life in Cayman waters commits an offence.

05Section 13Cayman Islands · national

Use of noxious substances prohibited

Marine Conservation Law (2013 Revision), Law 19 of 1978 as consolidated

ENOriginale

13. A person who uses any noxious substance for the purpose of taking marine life in Cayman waters commits an offence.

06Section 11Cayman Islands · national

Marine parks designation and restrictions

Marine Conservation Law (2013 Revision), Law 19 of 1978 as consolidated

ENOriginale

11. (1) The Governor may designate certain areas of Cayman waters to be marine parks and such areas shall be clearly demarcated and subject to such restrictions of user by the public as the Governor may prescribe in each case. (2) A person who, in a marine park, fails to comply with any restriction imposed with respect thereof commits an offence.

07Section 17(2)Cayman Islands · national

Restriction on use of fish pots near grouper spawning areas (seasonal)

Marine Conservation Law (2013 Revision), Law 19 of 1978 as consolidated

ENOriginale

(2) A person who uses a fish pot for the purpose of taking any marine life within a an area of one mile of any boundary of a designated grouper spawning area during the months of November to March inclusive commits an offence.

08DoE 'Spear Guns & Seine Nets' guidanceCayman Islands · national

Spear gun and spearfishing rules (current DoE guidance)

National Conservation Act, 2013 and National Conservation (Marine Parks) Regulations

ENOriginale

No one may use a pneumatic or mechanical speargun (includes Hawaiian sling, polespear, harpoon, hookstick or any device with a pointed end which may be used to impale, stab or pierce any marine life but does not include a striker) or seine net without a licence. Only Caymanians over 18. Three fish per licensed person per day. (Excluding lionfish.) No one may use a speargun in any lagoon, sound or a body of water which does not exceed twenty feet in depth. No one may use a spear gun or seine net within a designated Grouper Spawning Area. Spear guns cannot be used to take Nassau grouper or parrotfish. No spear fishing within two hundred yards (meters) of any dive or snorkel vessel flying a dive flag indicating there are divers or snorkelers in the water, excluding the vessel from which the licensee is snorkeling. No one may import a speargun or any parts for a speargun.

Quando puoi immergerti

Stagioni e restrizioni temporali

Periodi di chiusura, apertura e restrizione nel corso dell'anno. Conferma sempre localmente le chiusure specifiche per specie.

Gen
Feb
Mar
Apr
Mag
Giu
Lug
Ago
Set
Ott
Nov
Dic
ChiusaLimitataAperta
  • ChiusaDesignated Grouper Spawning Areas (one-mile radius) - spearfishing and fish potsNov 1 – Mar 31

    No spearfishing or setting of fish pots within a one-mile radius of any Designated Grouper Spawning Area from 1 November through 31 March.

    doe.ky
  • ChiusaNassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus)Dic 1 – Apr 30

    Closed season for Nassau grouper. In open season only Nassau grouper between 16 and 24 inches may be taken, limit five per person or five per boat per day; Nassau grouper may not be taken by speargun at any time.

    doe.ky
  • ChiusaSpiny lobster (Panulirus argus)Mar 1 – Nov 30

    Closed season for spiny lobster. Open-season limit three per person or six per boat per day (whichever is less); minimum six-inch tail.

    doe.ky
  • ChiusaQueen conch (Strombus gigas)Mag 1 – Ott 31

    Closed season for queen conch. Open-season limit five per person or ten per boat per day (whichever is less).

    doe.ky

Permesso di pescare

Licenza

Cosa ti serve per poter entrare in acqua, quanto costa e come ottenerla.

Licenza obbligatoriatramite National Conservation Council / Marine Conservation Board (Department of Environment)

Apply to the Department of Environment. Speargun licence applications are accepted annually between 1 June and 31 August. As of the March 2026 Conservation Council decision, the DoE was preparing to (re)commence issuing and renewing licences.

Ottieni la tua licenza

Apre il portale ufficiale · doe.ky

Licenza obbligatoria
Tipo
Speargun (and seine net) licence issued by the National Conservation Council / Marine Conservation Board, administered by the Department of Environment
Costo
CI$50 per year (per DoE / Cayman Compass reporting); statutory Schedule fishing-licence fees are CI$400 annual / CI$150 monthly under the Marine Conservation Law schedule
Validità
One year (speargun licence); statutory fishing licences are for one month or one year
Come ottenerla
Apply to the Department of Environment. Speargun licence applications are accepted annually between 1 June and 31 August. As of the March 2026 Conservation Council decision, the DoE was preparing to (re)commence issuing and renewing licences.
Autorità
National Conservation Council / Marine Conservation Board (Department of Environment)
Portale ufficiale per le licenze · doe.ky

Attrezzatura e tecnica

Regole sull'attrezzatura

Quale attrezzatura è consentita, come può essere usata e le condizioni associate.

Fucile subacqueoConsentito
AutorespiratoreVietato

Restrizioni

  • Speargun use requires a licence; only Caymanians over 18 may be licensed
  • Speargun defined broadly: includes mechanical/pneumatic speargun, Hawaiian sling, pole spear, stick spear, harpoon, rod or any pointed device to impale/stab/pierce marine life (excludes a 'striker')
  • Taking marine life while using any underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) is an offence - spearfishing is effectively breath-hold/free-dive only
  • Importing a speargun or any speargun parts is prohibited
  • May not be used to take Nassau grouper or parrotfish
  • May not be used in lagoons, sounds, or water 20 feet or shallower
  • May not be used within ~200 yards/metres of a vessel flying a dive flag
  • May not be used in marine parks, replenishment zones or environmental zones
  • May not be used within one mile of a Designated Grouper Spawning Area between 1 Nov and 31 Mar

A 'striker' (a long wooden pole no shorter than ten feet with barbless prongs) is excluded from the speargun definition and is a traditional permitted tool. Lionfish culling tools are treated separately and lionfish are excluded from speargun catch limits.

Cosa puoi prelevare

Limiti di cattura e specie protette

Quote giornaliere, taglie minime e specie che non devono mai essere prelevate.

Limite giornaliero

By speargun: maximum 3 fish per licensed person per day (excluding lionfish); no more than 6 speargun-caught fish in possession.

Taglie minime

  • General finfish (most species)min 20.3 cm
  • Spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) - tail lengthmin 15.2 cm
  • Nassau grouper (min, when open)min 40.6 cm
  • Nassau grouper (max, when open)min 61 cm

Specie protette — non prelevare

  • ProtettaNassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) - may not be taken by speargun at any time; seasonal/area protections apply
  • ProtettaParrotfish - may not be taken by speargun
  • ProtettaGoliath grouper
  • ProtettaTilefish
  • ProtettaFilefish
  • ProtettaAngelfish
  • ProtettaSharks and rays (may not be taken at any time)
  • ProtettaEchinoderms - starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, sand dollars (may not be taken at any time)
  • ProtettaAll corals and sponges
  • ProtettaMarine turtles (and their eggs) - protected, no taking without licence
  • ProtettaChitons, periwinkles, bleeding teeth

General minimum fish size is eight inches (~20 cm), with exceptions for lionfish, goggle eyes, sprats and fries. Nassau grouper open season (when not closed) limits five per person/five per boat per day and only fish 16-24 inches; conch and lobster have their own seasonal limits. Speargun limits are independent and stricter (3/day).

Chi può pescare

Visitatori e residenti

Come le regole differiscono per i visitatori stranieri e i residenti locali.

Visitatori stranieri

Non consentito

Restrizioni

  • Speargun licences are granted only to Caymanians over 18; foreigners/tourists cannot obtain a speargun licence and therefore cannot legally spearfish
  • Importing spearguns or speargun parts is prohibited, so visitors cannot bring their own gear
  • Line fishing from shore for personal consumption is generally permitted to visitors outside protected zones, but this is not spearfishing

There is no legal route for non-Caymanian visitors to spearfish in Cayman waters. The activity is effectively closed to tourists.

Residenti

Speargun licence (Caymanians over 18 only)

Requisiti

  • Must be Caymanian and over 18 years of age
  • Apply to the Department of Environment, application window 1 June - 31 August
  • Carry the licence when spearfishing and comply with licence conditions

Vantaggi

  • Permitted to use one licensed speargun subject to all area, depth, species and catch restrictions

Historically the policy was to phase out speargun licences; a National Conservation Act amendment allowed continued spearfishing for traditional/cultural needs, and in March 2026 the Conservation Council voted to approve new and renewed speargun licences.

Dove sulla costa

Zone consentite e vietate

Aree denominate aperte o chiuse alla pesca subacquea. Vedi il quadro completo sulla mappa interattiva.

Aree vietate

Vedi sulla mappa

Condizioni in acqua

Condizioni in tempo reale

Istantanea marina e meteo in tempo reale vicino a un punto di riferimento costiero in Cayman Islands, da Open-Meteo. Le condizioni variano lungo la costa — considerale indicative.

Condizioni marine e meteo in tempo reale vicino a Designated Grouper Spawning Area - West End, Little Cayman.

Condizioni

A chi rivolgersi

Autorità

Gli enti ufficiali responsabili della pesca e delle licenze.

  • Cayman Islands Department of Environment (DoE)

    environment / fisheries authority

    doe.kydoe@gov.ky; +1 (345) 949-8469; Environmental Centre, 580 North Sound Road, George Town, Grand Cayman

  • National Conservation Council

    statutory conservation council (formerly Marine Conservation Board)

    conservation.kyVia Department of Environment

Da dove provengono

Fonti

Ogni affermazione su questa pagina risale a uno di questi riferimenti.

  1. [01]

    Marine Conservation Law (2013 Revision), Cayman Islands - full consolidated text (FAOLEX)

    Ufficiale
    faolex.fao.orgConsultato il Giu 15
  2. [02]

    Spear Guns & Seine Nets - Cayman Islands Department of Environment

    Ufficiale
    doe.kyConsultato il Giu 15
  3. [03]

    Catch Limits - Cayman Islands Department of Environment

    Ufficiale
    doe.kyConsultato il Giu 15
  4. [04]

    Marine Parks - Cayman Islands Department of Environment (National Conservation (Marine Parks) Regulations, 2021)

    Ufficiale
    doe.kyConsultato il Giu 15
  5. [05]

    Wildlife Interaction Zones - Cayman Islands Department of Environment

    Ufficiale
    doe.kyConsultato il Giu 15
  6. [06]

    Protect The Seas - Cayman Islands Official Tourism Website

    Ufficiale
    visitcaymanislands.comConsultato il Giu 15
  7. [07]

    Conservation Council votes to approve more speargun fishing licences - Cayman Compass (30 Mar 2026)

    Secondaria
    caymancompass.comConsultato il Giu 15
  8. [08]

    Recovery of critically endangered Nassau grouper in the Cayman Islands (PNAS) - spawning aggregation locations

    Secondaria
    pnas.orgConsultato il Giu 15
  9. [09]

    The National Conservation Act - National Conservation Council

    Ufficiale
    conservation.kyConsultato il Giu 15

Note dei ricercatori

Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory. Recreational spearfishing is heavily restricted: legal only for licensed Caymanians over 18, breath-hold (no scuba), with a 3-fish/day limit and many area/depth/species exclusions; spearguns and parts may not be imported, so tourists cannot legally spearfish. The historical Marine Conservation Law (2013 Revision) was repealed/replaced by the National Conservation Act, 2013 framework and the National Conservation (Marine Parks) Regulations, 2021 (enhanced marine parks covering ~50% of coastal waters, effective 12 March 2021); the verbatim speargun sections (s.13-17) are quoted from the consolidated Marine Conservation Law text on FAOLEX, with current operational rules confirmed on the DoE website. Some specifics carried by DoE guidance: dive-flag buffer is stated as 200 yards/metres (the older statute referenced a striker definition). The DoE Marine Parks Regulations map PDF and exact 2024 coordinates of each zone were temporarily unavailable at time of research; precise zone polygons should be taken from the official 'Cayman DoE' app / DoE map. Coordinates given for the West End Little Cayman DGSA are approximate (from scientific literature) and should be treated as indicative, not legal boundaries. In March 2026 the National Conservation Council voted to approve new and renewed speargun licences, with issuance expected to ramp up over the following year as education and enforcement are scaled.

Resta aggiornatoAccesso anticipato

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