Georgia
Asia · Western Asia
Spearfishing (underwater hunting, წყალქვეშა ნადირობა) is legal in Georgia as a form of amateur/sport fishing, but only on breath-hold (no aqualungs or autonomous breathing devices). The governing instrument is the Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, approved by Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force 1 January 2014, consolidated text). This regulation replaced the earlier Order No. 512 of 7 December 2005 of the Minister of Environment, which lost legal force on 7 April 2011. Under Resolution No. 423, amateur and sport fishing is defined to include 'underwater hunting and the gathering of hydrobionts, without aqualungs and breathing devices' (Art. 2(3) and Art. 13(2)). There is therefore no licence for amateur underwater hunting, but it must be conducted on a single breath. The regulation no longer contains the old explicit ban on harpoon use with aqualungs (former Decree 512 Art. 9(2)(e)) nor the former ban on pneumatic/compressed-air weapons; instead the breath-hold requirement flows from the definitional exclusion of aqualungs/breathing devices, and Article 6 bans fishing with firearms, explosives, poisons, electric current and electroshock devices. A closed season applies in the Georgian Black Sea (1 May to 1 July), but Article 4(3) expressly exempts amateur and sport fishing from the fishing prohibitions in that article (the closed season binds commercial/industrial fishing); confirm current practice with MEPA. Year-round protected species (sturgeons, sea mammals/cetaceans, Black Sea salmon, river and lake trout, river crayfish) may not be taken at all (Art. 5(1)), and turbot/kalkan is protected 1 May to 1 July. Numerous waterway-specific closures apply in rivers and lakes.
Zuletzt aktualiséiert Juni 16, 2026
Gouvernéierende Kader
- §Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, approved by Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force 1 January 2014; consolidated) — current governing instrument
- §Law of Georgia on Wildlife (ცხოველთა სამყაროს შესახებ), No. 540, 25 December 1996 (as amended)
- §Law of Georgia on the System of Protected Areas, 1996 (governs Kolkheti National Park marine zone)
- §Superseded: Order No. 512 of the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Protection, 7 December 2005 — lost legal force 7 April 2011
- Lizenz erfuerdert
- Net erfuerdert
- Spiergewier
- Erlaabt
- Scuba
- Verboten
- Auslänner
- Wëllkomm
D'Gesetz, verbatim
Gesetzestexte
Déi exakt gesetzlech a regulatoresch Bestëmmungen, déi d'Speerfëscherei hei gouvernéieren, esou wéi publizéiert zitéiert, mat engem Link op all offiziell Quell.
Definition of amateur and sport fishing (includes breath-hold underwater hunting) - Article 2(3)
Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force)
3. სამოყვარულო და სპორტული თევზჭერა – არალიცენზირებადი თევზჭერა ყველა სისტემის და დასახელების ხელის ანკესით, სპინინგით, სასროლი ბადით, ხოლიხი ბადით, ჩოგანბადით და ეკრანით, ასევე წყალქვეშა ნადირობა და ჰიდრობიონტების შეგროვება,აკვალანგებისა და სასუნთქი მოწყობილობების გარეშე.
Definition of amateur and sport fishing - English translation of Article 2(3)
Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force)
3. Amateur and sport fishing - non-licensed fishing with hand rods of any system and designation, with a spinning rod, a casting net, a kholikhi net, a chogan-net and a screen net, as well as underwater hunting and the gathering of hydrobionts, without aqualungs and breathing devices.
Amateur and sport fishing - permitted methods and breath-hold requirement (Article 13(2))
Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force)
2. სამოყვარულო და სპორტულ თევზჭერად მიიჩნევა თევზჭერა მხოლოდ ყველა სისტემის და დასახელების ხელის ანკესით, სპინინგით, სასროლი ბადით, ეკრანით, ჩოგანბადითა და ხოლიხი ბადით, ასევე წყალქვეშა ნადირობა და ჰიდრობიონტების შეგროვება, აკვალანგებისა და სასუნთქი მოწყობილობების გარეშე.
Amateur and sport fishing - English translation of Article 13(2)
Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force)
2. Amateur and sport fishing is deemed to be fishing only with hand rods of any system and designation, a spinning rod, a casting net, a screen net, a chogan-net and a kholikhi net, as well as underwater hunting and the gathering of hydrobionts, without aqualungs and breathing devices.
Prohibited means and methods of fishing (Article 6) - includes firearms; no pneumatic/harpoon clause
Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force)
მუხლი 6. თევზჭერისათვის აკრძალული საშუალებები და ხერხები აკრძალულია თევზჭერა: ა) ნებისმიერი სახის ფეთქებადი და მომწამლავი ნივთიერებებით; ბ) ელექტროდენით, ელექტროშოკის აპარატით და თვითნაკეთი ელექტრონული ხელსაწყოებით; გ) ცეცხლსასროლი იარაღებით; დ) დევნისა და ფრთხობის ხერხებით; ე) შიდა წყალსატევებში სახლართი ბადეების გამოყენებით მოსასმელი და მოსაყრელი ბადის პრინციპით; ვ) წყალსატევების ხერგვითა და შრეტით: ზ) მცურავი ბადეებით ქვედა სართავის გარეშე ფსკერის მცოცავი ბირთვით.
Prohibited means and methods of fishing - English translation of Article 6
Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force)
Article 6. Means and methods prohibited for fishing. Fishing is prohibited: a) with explosive and poisonous substances of any kind; b) with electric current, electroshock apparatus and home-made electronic devices; c) with firearms; d) by methods of pursuit and scaring; e) in inland waters, with entangling nets used on the principle of set and cast nets; f) by damming and draining of water bodies; g) with drifting nets without a lower line, using a creeping bottom weight.
Closed fishing season in the Georgian Black Sea (Article 4(3)(g)) - amateur/sport fishing exempt
Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force)
3. აკრძალულია თევზჭერა, გარდა სამოყვარულო და სპორტული თევზჭერისა: ... ზ) შავი ზღვის საქართველოს ტერიტორიულ წყლებში, კონტინენტალურ შელფსა და განსაკუთრებულ ეკონომიკურ ზონაში 1 მაისდან 1 ივლისამდე. ამ პერიოდში შესაძლებელია მხოლოდ მოლუსკების აკვალანგებით ან სხვა ავტონომიური სასუნთქი მოწყობილობებით შეგროვება და მომსასმელი ბადით კეფალ-პილენგასის ჭერა;
Closed Black Sea season - English translation of Article 4(3)(g)
Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force)
3. Fishing is prohibited, except for amateur and sport fishing: ... (g) in the territorial waters, on the continental shelf and in the exclusive economic zone of Georgia in the Black Sea from 1 May to 1 July. During this period only the gathering of molluscs with aqualungs or other autonomous breathing devices and the catching of so-iuy mullet (kefal-pilengas) with a lift/set net (momsasmeli net) are possible.
Species prohibited for catch (Article 5(1)) - year-round and seasonal protections
Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force)
1. აკრძალულია ჭერა (მათ შორის თანჭერილშიც და სპორტულ-სამოყვარულოშიც), რეალიზაცია და შენახვა თევზის შემდეგი სახეობების: ა) ზუთხისებრთა – მთელი წლის განმავლობაში; ბ) ზღვის ძუძუმწოვრების – მთელი წლის განმავლობაში; გ) შავი ზღვის ორაგულის – მთელი წლის განმავლობაში; დ) კალმახის (მდინარის და ტბის) – მთელი წლის განმავლობაში; ე) ქამბალა-კალკანის – 1 მაისიდან 1 ივლისამდე; ვ) მდინარის კიბოების – მთელი წლის განმავლობაში.
Species prohibited for catch - English translation of Article 5(1)
Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force)
1. The catching (including incidental catch and in sport-amateur fishing), sale and keeping of the following fish species is prohibited: a) sturgeons - throughout the year; b) sea mammals - throughout the year; c) Black Sea salmon - throughout the year; d) trout (river and lake) - throughout the year; e) turbot/kalkan (Black Sea flounder) - from 1 May to 1 July; f) river crayfish - throughout the year.
Coastal set-net closure (Article 7(1)(a)) - 1 July to 15 October within 100 m of shore
Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force)
1. აკრძალულია: ა) ჩასადგმელი ბადეების დაგება ზღვის სანაპირო ზოლში ნაპირიდან 100 მეტრზე ნაკლებ მანძილზე მოშორებით 1 ივლისიდან – 15 ოქტომბრამდე;
Coastal set-net closure - English translation of Article 7(1)(a)
Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force)
1. It is prohibited: a) the placing of set nets in the coastal sea strip at a distance of less than 100 metres from the shore, from 1 July to 15 October;
Coastal isobath zones closed to fishing (Article 4(3)(e)) - Poti-Ochamchire and Poti-Anaklia
Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force)
3. აკრძალულია თევზჭერა, გარდა სამოყვარულო და სპორტული თევზჭერისა: ... ე) ზღვის ხუთმილიან სანაპირო ზონაში ქალაქ ფოთიდან ქალაქ ოჩამჩირემდე 60-მეტრიანი იზობათის ფარგლებში, ხოლო ფოთი ანაკლიის უბანზე – 120-მეტრიანი იზობათის ფარგლებში; ვ) რიწის ტბაში;
Coastal isobath zones / Lake Ritsa closed to fishing - English translation of Article 4(3)(e)-(f)
Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force)
3. Fishing is prohibited, except for amateur and sport fishing: ... (e) in the five-mile coastal sea zone from the city of Poti to the city of Ochamchire within the 60-metre isobath, and on the Poti-Anaklia section - within the 120-metre isobath; (f) in Lake Ritsa.
Wann Dir dauche kënnt
Saisons & Zäitbeschränkungen
Geschlossen, geöffent a ageschränkt Perioden iwwer d'Joer. Bestätegt ëmmer artenspezifisch Schliesszäiten lokal.
- ZouCommercial/industrial fishing in Black Sea territorial waters, continental shelf and EEZ (amateur/sport fishing expressly exempt)Mee 1 – Jul 1
Closed season 1 May to 1 July in the Georgian Black Sea (Resolution No. 423/2013, Art. 4(3)(g)). Article 4(3) opens 'fishing is prohibited, except for amateur and sport fishing', so this period binds commercial fishing; only mollusc gathering with aqualungs and so-iuy mullet (kefal-pilengas) catching with a lift/set net are otherwise allowed. Amateur breath-hold underwater hunting is formally outside this prohibition; verify current enforcement practice with MEPA.
- ZouRiver and lake trout (კალმახი)Jan 1 – Dez 31
Catch (including sport-amateur), sale and storage of river and lake trout is prohibited throughout the year (Resolution No. 423/2013, Art. 5(1)(d)). Listed as year-round protected.
- ZouTurbot / kalkan (ქამბალა-კალკანი, Black Sea flounder)Mee 1 – Jul 1
Catch, sale and storage of turbot/kalkan prohibited 1 May to 1 July (Resolution No. 423/2013, Art. 5(1)(e)).
- ZouSet nets within 100 m of the sea shoreJul 1 – Okt 15
Placing set nets in the coastal sea strip closer than 100 m from shore is prohibited 1 July to 15 October (Resolution No. 423/2013, Art. 7(1)(a)). Relevant to coastal net activity; breath-hold spearfishing does not use set nets.
Erlaabnis zum Fëschen
Lizenz
Wat Dir braucht fir am Waasser erlaabt ze sinn, wat et kascht a wéi Dir et kritt.
- Typ
- Amateur/sport fishing (non-licensed) under Resolution No. 423/2013
- Käschten
- unknown
- Gëltegkeet
- unknown
- Wéi ze kréien
- Amateur and sport fishing is expressly defined as non-licensed fishing (არალიცენზირებადი თევზჭერა) in Resolution No. 423/2013, Art. 2(3); no individual recreational fishing licence is required for amateur fishing (including breath-hold underwater hunting). Commercial/industrial fishing requires a licence issued via auction. Confirm current requirements with MEPA before fishing.
- Autoritéit
- Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA)
Ausrüstung & Technik
Ausrüstungsreegelen
Wéi Ausrüstung erlaabt ass, wéi se benotzt duerf ginn a wéi Bedéngungen drun hänken.
Aschränkungen
- Underwater hunting is permitted only without aqualungs and breathing devices (Art. 2(3) and Art. 13(2)) - spearfishing must be breath-hold/freedive only
- Firearms are prohibited for fishing (Art. 6(c))
- Explosives and poisonous substances prohibited (Art. 6(a))
- Electric current / electroshock devices prohibited (Art. 6(b))
- Methods of pursuit and scaring of fish prohibited (Art. 6(d))
Resolution No. 423/2013 classes breath-hold underwater hunting as amateur/sport fishing (Art. 2(3), Art. 13(2)) provided no aqualung or breathing apparatus is used. Unlike the repealed Decree No. 512 (2005), the current regulation contains NO explicit prohibition on 'harpoon + aqualung' and NO ban on 'pneumatic (compressed-air) weapons' or 'piercing implements'; the only relevant gear constraint for underwater hunting is the breath-hold (no breathing apparatus) requirement, alongside the Art. 6 ban on firearms, explosives, poison and electricity. The legality of compressed-air pneumatic spearguns is therefore not expressly addressed by the current text; band/elastic and mechanical spearguns used on a single breath are the safely-lawful method. Confirm any speargun-specific rules with MEPA.
Wat Dir mat kënnt huelen
Fangbeschränkungen & geschützte Arten
Deeglech Quoten, Mindestgréissten a Arten, déi ni geholl duerfen ginn.
Deeglech Limit
unknown
Geschützt Arten — net huelen
- GeschütztSturgeons (Acipenseridae) - year-round (Art. 5(1)(a))
- GeschütztSea mammals / cetaceans - year-round (Art. 5(1)(b))
- GeschütztBlack Sea salmon - year-round (Art. 5(1)(c))
- GeschütztRiver and lake trout - year-round (Art. 5(1)(d))
- GeschütztTurbot / kalkan (Black Sea flounder) - closed 1 May to 1 July (Art. 5(1)(e))
- GeschütztRiver crayfish - year-round (Art. 5(1)(f))
- GeschütztAll species listed in the Red List of Georgia (protected in all protected areas)
Article 5(1) of Resolution No. 423/2013 prohibits the catch (expressly including sport-amateur), sale and keeping of the listed species; protected species accidentally caught must be released immediately. Minimum catch sizes per species and daily bag limits for amateur fishing were not transcribed verbatim here; verify current minimum-length appendices with MEPA. Source: https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/2187155
Wien fësche duerf
Besucher & Awunner
Wéi d'Reegelen fir auslännesch Besucher a lokal Awunner ënnerscheeden.
Auslännesch Besucher
ErlaabtAschränkungen
- Same rules as residents: breath-hold only (no aqualungs/breathing devices), no fishing in prohibited zones/protected areas, protected/Red List species off-limits, turbot/kalkan closed 1 May-1 July
No specific provision distinguishing foreigners from residents was found in Resolution No. 423/2013; amateur/sport fishing is defined as non-licensed and applies generally. Foreign spearfishers are reported to practise on the Georgian Black Sea coast (community sources). Verify any visitor permit requirements with MEPA / Agency of Protected Areas.
Awunner
Amateur/sport fishing, non-licensed (general)
Amateur and sport fishing is non-licensed under Resolution No. 423/2013 (Art. 2(3)) and open generally; no residency-specific benefit was identified in the current regulation.
Wou op der Küst
Erlaabt & verbotene Zonen
Benannt Gebidder, déi fir Speerfëscherei op oder zou sinn. Kuckt d'ganzt Bild op der interaktiver Kaart.
Erlaabt Gebidder
Amateur underwater hunting on breath-hold is treated as amateur/sport fishing along the Georgian Black Sea coast (e.g. Adjara coast near Batumi, Gonio, Kvariati) outside protected areas and the prohibited isobath zones. Note that Resolution No. 423/2013 Art. 4(3) exempts amateur and sport fishing from the Black Sea closed-season prohibition; species-level bans (Art. 5) still apply. Target species reported by community sources include Black Sea bream and sea bass.
Breath-hold only (no aqualungs/autonomous breathing devices, per Art. 2(3)/13(2)); no firearms (Art. 6(c)); protected and Red List species off-limits (Art. 5); turbot/kalkan closed 1 May-1 July.
Verbotene Gebidder
- Coastal zone Poti to Ochamchire (within 60 m isobath, 5-mile coastal strip)fisheries closed coastal zone
Fishing prohibited in the 5-mile coastal zone from the city of Poti to the city of Ochamchire within the 60-metre isobath (Resolution No. 423/2013, Art. 4(3)(e)). Coordinates are an approximate map marker for the named stretch, not given in the source.
- Coastal zone Poti to Anaklia (within 120 m isobath)fisheries closed coastal zone
Fishing prohibited on the Poti-Anaklia stretch within the 120-metre isobath (Resolution No. 423/2013, Art. 4(3)(e)). Coordinates are an approximate map marker for the named stretch, not given in the source.
- Lake Ritsalake fishing ban
Fishing prohibited in Lake Ritsa (Resolution No. 423/2013, Art. 4(3)(f)). Coordinates are an approximate map marker for the named lake, not given in the source. (Note: the earlier instrument also named Lake Paliastomi here; under Resolution No. 423 the Paliastomi closures are species-specific seasonal bans in Art. 4(3)(p), and Paliastomi lies within Kolkheti National Park.)
- Kolkheti National Park (Black Sea coastal & marine protected zone, Paliastomi basin)national park / marine protected area
National park on the Black Sea coastal plain, including a marine protected component and Lake Paliastomi. Red List species are protected in all categories of protected areas; only regulated activity under park rules is permitted, and destructive/illegal methods are banned. Spearfishing is not an authorised activity within the protected marine/lagoon zone. Coordinates are an approximate map marker.
Konditioune op dem Waasser
Live-Konditioune
Live Mieres- a Wiederschnappschoss no engem Küstenreferenzpunkt a Georgia, vun Open-Meteo. Konditioune variéiere laanscht d'Küst — als indikatif betruechten.
Live Mieres- & Wiederbedéngungen no Coastal zone Poti to Ochamchire (within 60 m isobath, 5-mile coastal strip).
Wien ze froen
Autoritéiten
Déi offiziell Gremien, déi fir Fëscherei a Lizenzéierung zoustänneg sinn.
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA)
environment & agriculture ministry / fisheries authority
mepa.gov.gehttps://mepa.gov.ge/En/Page/regulationAgency of Protected Areas of Georgia
protected areas authority
apa.gov.gehttps://apa.gov.ge/en/Friquently-Asked-QuestionsNational Environmental Agency / Department of Environmental Supervision (MEPA)
fisheries control & enforcement
Wou dëst hierkommt
Quellen
All Behaaptung op dëser Säit geet op eng vun dëse Referenze zréck.
- [01]
Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection - Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 Dec 2013 (in force 1 Jan 2014; consolidated), Legislative Herald of Georgia
Offiziellmatsne.gov.geOpgeruff Jun 16 - [02]
Order No. 512 (7 Dec 2005) - earlier wildlife/fishing regulation; LOST LEGAL FORCE 7 April 2011 (superseded), Legislative Herald of Georgia
Offiziellmatsne.gov.geOpgeruff Jun 16 - [03]
Law of Georgia on Wildlife (No. 540, 25 Dec 1996), Legislative Herald of Georgia
Offiziellmatsne.gov.geOpgeruff Jun 14 - [04]
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia - Regulation / legislation portal
Offiziellmepa.gov.geOpgeruff Jun 14 - [05]
Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia - Kolkheti National Park Administration
Offiziellapa.gov.geOpgeruff Jun 14 - [06]
Kolkheti National Park - Wikipedia (coordinates, marine extent, Paliastomi)
Sekundären.wikipedia.orgOpgeruff Jun 14 - [07]
Vodolaz-Radio - Spearfishing in Georgia (community report on Black Sea spearfishing, species, conditions)
communityvodolaz-radio.ruOpgeruff Jun 14
Fuerschernotizen
KEY POINT: Spearfishing is LEGAL in Georgia but BREATH-HOLD (freedive) ONLY. GOVERNING LAW UPDATED: the previously cited Order No. 512 (7 Dec 2005) LOST LEGAL FORCE on 7 April 2011 and has been superseded by the Technical Regulation on Fishing and Fish Stock Protection, approved by Resolution No. 423 of the Government of Georgia, 31 December 2013 (in force 1 January 2014; consolidated text, matsne doc 2187155). Under Resolution No. 423, Art. 2(3) and Art. 13(2) define amateur/sport fishing as NON-LICENSED fishing that includes 'underwater hunting and the gathering of hydrobionts, without aqualungs and breathing devices' - i.e. breath-hold underwater hunting is the lawful method and no licence is required. The current regulation, unlike the old Decree 512, does NOT contain a separate 'harpoon + aqualung' prohibition and does NOT ban 'pneumatic weapons' or 'piercing implements'; the breath-hold requirement flows from the definitional exclusion of breathing apparatus. Art. 6 bans fishing with firearms, explosives, poisons, electric current and pursuit/scaring methods. SEASONS: Black Sea closed season 1 May-1 July (Art. 4(3)(g)) applies to commercial fishing - Art. 4(3) expressly EXEMPTS amateur and sport fishing; coastal set-net closure 1 July-15 October (Art. 7(1)(a), corrected from the earlier 1 Aug date). SPECIES: year-round bans on sturgeons, sea mammals, Black Sea salmon, river/lake TROUT (now year-round, corrected from the earlier Oct-Jan), river crayfish; turbot/kalkan closed 1 May-1 July (Art. 5(1), corrected from earlier 'year-round'). ZONES: Poti-Ochamchire within 60 m isobath and Poti-Anaklia within 120 m isobath (Art. 4(3)(e)); Lake Ritsa (Art. 4(3)(f)); Lake Paliastomi closures are now species-specific seasonal (Art. 4(3)(p)) and Paliastomi lies in Kolkheti National Park. The earlier record's flagged typo 'ნდირობა' was an artifact of the repealed text and is NOT reproduced; the in-force source reads 'ნადირობა' correctly. CONFIDENCE: medium - core legality/method/season/zone provisions are now sourced verbatim from the in-force consolidated official text (matsne.gov.ge), but exact minimum sizes, daily limits, present-day enforcement nuances and the legality of compressed-air pneumatic spearguns are not expressly resolved and should be confirmed with MEPA.
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