Monaco
Europe · Western Europe
Recreational underwater fishing (pêche sous-marine) is permitted in the Principality of Monaco but tightly regulated. A person must be at least 16 years old and must file an annual authorisation/declaration with the Department of Maritime Affairs (Direction des Affaires Maritimes), supported by a medical certificate of fitness for underwater fishing and an unlimited civil-liability insurance policy (or a valid underwater-fishing licence). Spearfishing is banned during the closed season from 15 October to 15 March, must take place at least 100 m from the shore or marine structures and 50 m from fishing nets, and is forbidden in the Larvotto marine reserve, the Spélugues coral reef and in ports. Use of breathing apparatus (scuba), artificial light, bait, and barbed/multi-pronged spears (harpoons, multi-branch spears, tridents) or compressed-gas weapons is prohibited; only single-pointed darts are allowed. The daily catch is capped at seven fish per fisher. The diver must signal their presence with a flagged buoy. The governing framework is the Code de la mer (Loi n° 1.198 of 27 March 1998) and Sovereign Ordinance no. 3.131 of 14 February 2011 on the exploitation of biological resources.
Zuletzt aktualiséiert Mäerz 28, 2025
Gouvernéierende Kader
- §Loi n° 1.198 du 27 mars 1998 portant Code de la Mer
- §Ordonnance Souveraine n° 3.131 du 14 février 2011 relative à l'exploitation des ressources biologiques
- §Ordonnance Souveraine n° 6.984 du 20 juin 2018 relative à la création et à la gestion des aires marines protégées
- §Ordonnance Souveraine n° 11.144 du 12 mars 2025 modifiant l'article O.244-8 du Code de la mer
- Lizenz erfuerdert
- Erfuerdert
- Spiergewier
- Verboten
- 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.
Eligibility for underwater fishing
Sovereign Ordinance no. 3.131 of 14 February 2011 on the exploitation of biological resources (Code de la mer)
You can go underwater fishing: If you are 16 or over. You should go to the Department of Maritime Affairs, taking proof of identity. You will need to make an annual application, for which a receipt is issued. [The declaration must include] a medical certificate stating your fitness for underwater fishing and a civil responsibility insurance policy with unlimited liability covering any accidental injuries that may be caused to a third party.
Closed season for underwater fishing
Sovereign Ordinance no. 3.131 of 14 February 2011 on the exploitation of biological resources (Code de la mer)
Underwater fishing is forbidden from 15th October to 15th March, except in the case of exemptions granted by the Director of Maritime Affairs.
Distance from shore and from nets
Sovereign Ordinance no. 3.131 of 14 February 2011 on the exploitation of biological resources (Code de la mer)
More than 100 metres from the bank or from marine structures [except in the area between Pointe Saint-Martin and the base of the Rainier III sea wall]; More than 50 metres from fixed nets or nets from ships or other vessels engaged in fishing activities.
Daily catch limit
Sovereign Ordinance no. 3.131 of 14 February 2011 on the exploitation of biological resources (Code de la mer)
The number of fish caught must in no case exceed seven per fisher during the same day of fishing.
Prohibited methods and gear
Sovereign Ordinance no. 3.131 of 14 February 2011 on the exploitation of biological resources (Code de la mer)
[It is prohibited to use] light sources or bait; breathing apparatus [air or oxygen cylinders]; a harpoon, such as a spear, multi-branch spear or trident, except single-pointed darts; [and weapons powered by chemical or compressed gas].
Prohibited zones for underwater fishing
Sovereign Ordinance no. 3.131 of 14 February 2011 on the exploitation of biological resources (Code de la mer)
Fishing is prohibited in the Larvotto marine reserve and in the Spélugues coral reef, as well as in harbours and at port entrances.
Restriction of shore line-fishing to declared persons
Ordonnance Souveraine n° 11.144 du 12 mars 2025 modifiant l'article O.244-8 du Code de la mer
La pêche du bord à la ligne est réservée aux personnes déclarées à la Direction des Affaires Maritimes. [La déclaration annuelle est obligatoire; le formulaire de déclaration est annexé à l'arrêté ministériel n° 2025-126; le nombre annuel de pêcheurs est fixé par arrêté ministériel; le Directeur des Affaires Maritimes dispose d'un droit de suspension.]
Wann Dir dauche kënnt
Saisons & Zäitbeschränkungen
Geschlossen, geöffent a ageschränkt Perioden iwwer d'Joer. Bestätegt ëmmer artenspezifisch Schliesszäiten lokal.
- ZouAll recreational underwater fishing (pêche sous-marine) in Monégasque territorial watersOkt 15 – Mär 15
Underwater fishing is forbidden from 15 October to 15 March, except for exemptions granted by the Director of Maritime Affairs for competitions and group training organised by approved clubs.
- OpAll recreational underwater fishing (pêche sous-marine) in Monégasque territorial watersMär 16 – Okt 14
Underwater fishing is permitted, from sunrise to sunset, outside the 15 October to 15 March closed season, subject to authorisation and all other conditions.
Erlaabnis zum Fëschen
Lizenz
Wat Dir braucht fir am Waasser erlaabt ze sinn, wat et kascht a wéi Dir et kritt.
Apply in person at the Department of Maritime Affairs (Direction des Affaires Maritimes), presenting proof of identity, a medical certificate of fitness for underwater fishing, and a civil-liability insurance policy with unlimited cover for accidental third-party injury (or a valid underwater-fishing licence). A receipt is issued.
Är Lizenz kréienÖffnet dat offiziellt Portal · monservicepublic.gouv.mc
- Typ
- Annual underwater-fishing authorisation / declaration (autorisation de pêche sous-marine) issued by the Direction des Affaires Maritimes; a copy is forwarded to the Police (Marine and Airport Police Division).
- Käschten
- unknown
- Gëltegkeet
- 1 year (annual application required)
- Wéi ze kréien
- Apply in person at the Department of Maritime Affairs (Direction des Affaires Maritimes), presenting proof of identity, a medical certificate of fitness for underwater fishing, and a civil-liability insurance policy with unlimited cover for accidental third-party injury (or a valid underwater-fishing licence). A receipt is issued.
- Autoritéit
- Direction des Affaires Maritimes (Department of Maritime Affairs)
Ausrüstung & Technik
Ausrüstungsreegelen
Wéi Ausrüstung erlaabt ass, wéi se benotzt duerf ginn a wéi Bedéngungen drun hänken.
Aschränkungen
- Breathing apparatus (air or oxygen cylinders / scuba) prohibited - must be free-diving / apnea
- Harpoons, spears, multi-branch spears and tridents prohibited; only single-pointed darts permitted
- Weapons powered by chemical or compressed gas prohibited
- Use of artificial light sources prohibited
- Use of bait prohibited
- A signalling buoy must be displayed bearing the Alpha flag of the International Code of Signals (blue and white) or a red flag with a white Saint Andrew's cross
- Permitted only from sunrise to sunset
The official government guidance describes prohibited gear as 'a harpoon, such as a spear, multi-branch spear or trident, except single-pointed darts'. This effectively bans conventional barbed/multi-pronged speargun heads while permitting a single-point dart. Powered (compressed-gas/pneumatic) spearguns are prohibited.
Wat Dir mat kënnt huelen
Fangbeschränkungen & geschützte Arten
Deeglech Quoten, Mindestgréissten a Arten, déi ni geholl duerfen ginn.
Deeglech Limit
7 fish per fisher per day
The number of fish caught must in no case exceed seven per fisher during the same day of fishing. Species-specific minimum sizes and protected-species lists are set under the Code de la mer / Sovereign Ordinance 3.131 of 2011 and ministerial decrees; specific values were not retrieved verbatim. Bluefin tuna fishing is separately regulated (Ordonnance Souveraine n° 7.369 of 26 February 2019 amending article O.244-11 of the Code de la mer).
Wien fësche duerf
Besucher & Awunner
Wéi d'Reegelen fir auslännesch Besucher a lokal Awunner ënnerscheeden.
Auslännesch Besucher
ErlaabtUfuerderungen
- Same conditions as residents: annual authorisation from the Direction des Affaires Maritimes
- Proof of identity
- Medical certificate of fitness for underwater fishing
- Civil-liability insurance with unlimited cover for third-party injury (or a valid underwater-fishing licence)
Monaco's published underwater-fishing rules do not distinguish between nationals, residents and visitors; all applicants must obtain the same annual authorisation and meet the same conditions. No nationality or residency restriction is stated in the official source.
Awunner
Annual underwater-fishing authorisation from the Direction des Affaires Maritimes
Ufuerderungen
- Aged 16 or over
- Annual application with proof of identity
- Medical certificate of fitness for underwater fishing
- Civil-liability insurance with unlimited cover (or valid underwater-fishing licence)
The same authorisation regime applies to residents and non-residents. Affiliation to an approved club (e.g. via the Fédération Monégasque de Pêches Sportives, FMPS) can give access to organised competitions/training for which the Director of Maritime Affairs may grant closed-season exemptions.
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
Recreational underwater fishing is allowed in Monaco's territorial waters outside protected and prohibited areas, provided it takes place more than 100 m from the shore or marine structures (except between Pointe Saint-Martin and the base of the Rainier III sea wall) and more than 50 m from fishing nets, from sunrise to sunset, outside the closed season, and with valid authorisation.
Min 100 m from shore/structures; min 50 m from nets; daytime only; closed 15 Oct - 15 Mar; max 7 fish/day; no scuba, no light/bait, only single-pointed darts; signalling buoy required.
Verbotene Gebidder
Marine protected area where all fishing, including underwater fishing, is prohibited. Bounded to the east by the limit of territorial waters and to the west by the cove of Larvotto beach, marked by yellow buoys. Key habitat: Posidonia seagrass beds.
Marine protected area (coralligenous reef) where all fishing, including underwater fishing, is prohibited. Extends from the old Portier harbour cove (east) to the Lucciana / Luciana pier (west). Navigation is tolerated due to proximity to Port Hercule; exceptions to the fishing ban may apply only to authorised commercial fishing.
- Ports and port entrances (Port Hercule, Port de Fontvieille)port / harbour zone
Fishing, including underwater fishing, is prohibited in harbours and at port entrances.
- Le Portier maritime safety / extension works zonemilitary / works security zone
Temporary prohibited maritime zone associated with the offshore land-extension works (Anse du Portier). Extended in 2025 from the western root of the Portier platform to the western boundary of the Larvotto marine reserve, marked by yellow buoys; fishing and underwater fishing prohibited within the secured area.
- Port de Fontvieille (harbour)port / harbour zone
Marina/harbour in the Fontvieille district on the western side of the Principality, built on reclaimed land. Spearfishing (and all fishing) is prohibited in harbours and at port entrances under Monaco's underwater-fishing rules. The existing combined 'Ports and port entrances' zone names Port de Fontvieille but the dataset only carried one coordinate point (Port Hercule); this is the distinct Fontvieille harbour location.
Konditioune op dem Waasser
Live-Konditioune
Live Mieres- a Wiederschnappschoss no engem Küstenreferenzpunkt a Monaco, vun Open-Meteo. Konditioune variéiere laanscht d'Küst — als indikatif betruechten.
Live Mieres- & Wiederbedéngungen no Larvotto Marine Reserve (Réserve sous-marine du Larvotto).
Wien ze froen
Autoritéiten
Déi offiziell Gremien, déi fir Fëscherei a Lizenzéierung zoustänneg sinn.
Direction des Affaires Maritimes (Department of Maritime Affairs)
maritime authority
monservicepublic.gouv.mc20 quai l'Hirondelle, 98000 Monaco; tel. (+377) 98 98 22 80Police - Division de Police Maritime et Aéroportuaire (Marine and Airport Police Division)
maritime police authority
gouv.mcReceives a copy of each underwater-fishing authorisation; enforces maritime fishing rulesAssociation Monégasque pour la Protection de la Nature (AMPN)
marine protected areas manager
ampn.mcManager of the Larvotto and Spélugues marine protected areas under Sovereign Ordinance 6.984 of 20 June 2018Fédération Monégasque de Pêches Sportives (FMPS)
sport fishing federation
fmps.mcMonégasque sport-fishing federation; guidance on recreational fishing regulations
Wou dëst hierkommt
Quellen
All Behaaptung op dëser Säit geet op eng vun dëse Referenze zréck.
- [01]
Demander une autorisation de pêche sous-marine / How to request an authorisation for underwater fishing - Monaco Government public service portal
Offiziellmonservicepublic.gouv.mcOpgeruff Jun 15 - [02]
Aires Marines Protégées (Larvotto reserve and Spélugues coral reef) - AMPN
Offiziellampn.mcOpgeruff Jun 15 - [03]
Pêche à pied et nouvelles zones d'interdiction [Mise à jour] - Legimonaco (Ordonnance Souveraine n° 11.144 du 12 mars 2025, arrêté ministériel n° 2025-126)
Offizielllegimonaco.mcOpgeruff Jun 15 - [04]
Ordonnance Souveraine n° 11.144 du 12 mars 2025 modifiant l'article O.244-8 du Code de la mer - Journal de Monaco / Legimonaco
Offizielllegimonaco.mcOpgeruff Jun 15 - [05]
Code de la mer - Legimonaco (Loi n° 1.198 du 27 mars 1998)
Offizielllegimonaco.mcOpgeruff Jun 15 - [06]
Ordonnance Souveraine n° 6.984 du 20 juin 2018 relative à la création et à la gestion des aires marines protégées - Journal de Monaco
Offizielljournaldemonaco.gouv.mcOpgeruff Jun 15 - [07]
Pêcher à Monaco - Fédération Monégasque de Pêches Sportives (FMPS)
Sekundärfmps.mcOpgeruff Jun 15 - [08]
Réglementation Monégasque de la pêche récréative - FMPS
Sekundärfmps.mcOpgeruff Jun 15
Fuerschernotizen
Spearfishing in Monaco is legal but heavily restricted. Authoritative data comes from the Monaco Government public-service portal (monservicepublic.gouv.mc), the AMPN (marine protected areas manager) and Legimonaco/Journal de Monaco for the underlying legislation. The detailed operational rules (closed season, distances, gear, 7-fish limit, prohibited zones) are reproduced verbatim (translated) from the official government portal, which cites Sovereign Ordinance no. 3.131 of 14 February 2011 on the exploitation of biological resources within the Code de la mer (Loi n° 1.198 of 27 March 1998). The full consolidated French text of the underwater-fishing articles and the verbatim text of Ordinance 3.131 were not retrievable as plain HTML (the Code de la mer consolidation and ordinance pages return structural metadata or PDFs only), so most law_texts entries are translated excerpts from the official English-language government guidance rather than the raw French statute; jurisdiction is national throughout (Monaco is a unitary principality). Licence cost was not published. Bluefin tuna is separately regulated (O.S. 7.369 of 26 February 2019). Coordinates for the Larvotto and Spélugues reserves are approximate centroids derived from the WGS84 boundary points published by AMPN. A March 2025 update (O.S. 11.144) added a declaration requirement for shore line-fishing and extended a prohibited works zone near Le Portier toward the Larvotto reserve.
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