Brunei Darussalam
Asia · South-Eastern Asia
Spearfishing is effectively prohibited in Brunei Darussalam. Under the Fisheries Order, 2009 (No. S 25), the governing fisheries law (which repealed the older Fisheries Act, Chapter 61), a 'spear gun' is expressly classed as a 'prohibited gear' (section 2 interpretation). Section 31 makes it an offence to use, attempt to use, carry, or have in one's possession or control any 'prohibited gear' for the purpose of killing, stunning, disabling or catching fish, with possession presumed (unless the contrary is proved) to be for that purpose. There is no recreational spearfishing licence regime; the only sport-fishing provision (Part VIII, section 23) is a licence to hold or organise a sportsfishing event/tournament, and 'fishing' as licensable activity is defined to exclude 'sportsfishing'. Additionally, the older repealed Chapter 61 had defined a spear gun as a device 'made for the purpose of catching or killing fish'. Because the spear gun is listed as prohibited gear at national level, recreational spearfishing has no lawful pathway. Marine reserves and marine parks (Part X) further prohibit fishing without a licence, and most of Brunei's coral reefs were placed inside a no-take Marine Protected Area network from 1 January 2012.
Laatst bijgewerkt juni 14, 2026
Geldend kader
- §Fisheries Order, 2009 (No. S 25) - made under Article 83(3) of the Constitution of Brunei Darussalam, in force, current governing fisheries law
- §Fisheries Act, Chapter 61 (Act 13 of 1972) - repealed by section 66 of the Fisheries Order, 2009
- §Brunei Marine Protected Area (no-take zone) network - implemented 1 January 2012
- Harpoengeweer
- Verboden
- Buitenlanders
- Niet toegestaan
De wet, woordelijk
Wetteksten
De exacte wettelijke en regelgevende bepalingen die speervissen hier reguleren, geciteerd zoals gepubliceerd, met een link naar elke officiële bron.
Definition of 'prohibited gears' (includes spear gun)
Fisheries Order, 2009 (No. S 25)
"prohibited gears" includes a spear gun, a device for electric fishing, explosives used for fishing and any other gear prescribed by the Minister;
Fishing with explosives etc. (prohibited gear offence)
Fisheries Order, 2009 (No. S 25)
31. (1) Any person who- (a) uses or attempts to use any explosive, poison, pollutant or other noxious substance, apparatus, prohibited gear or any other thing, for the purpose of killing, stunning, disabling or catching fish, or in any other way rendering such fish more easily caught; (b) carries or has in his possession or under his control any explosive, poison, pollutant or other noxious substance, apparatus, prohibited gear or any other thing, with the intention of using such explosive, poison, pollutant or other noxious substance, apparatus, prohibited gear or thing, for any of the purposes referred to in paragraph (a); or (c) is found in possession of or receives, any fish that is a prohibited species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has been taken in contravention of the provisions of this Order, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that it is such a fish, is guilty of an offence. (2) Any explosive, poison, pollutant or other noxious substance, apparatus or prohibited gear or any other thing referred to in subsection (1) found in the possession or under the control of any person shall be presumed to be intended to be used for any of the purposes referred to in subsection (1)(a) unless the contrary is proved.
Definition of 'sportsfishing' and exclusion from 'fishing'
Fisheries Order, 2009 (No. S 25)
"fishing" means - (a) the catching, taking or killing of fish by any method; (b) the attempted catching, taking or killing of fish; (c) engaging in any activity which can reasonably be expected to result in the catching, taking or killing of fish; or (d) any operation in support of or in preparation for, any activity described in paragraphs (a), (b) or (c), but does not include sportsfishing; ... "sportsfishing" means fishing for sport or pleasure only;
Sportsfishing - licence to hold or organise an event
Fisheries Order, 2009 (No. S 25)
23. Any person who holds or organises in Brunei Darussalam waters a sportsfishing event or tournament without a licence is guilty of an offence.
Fishing appliances require a licence
Fisheries Order, 2009 (No. S 25)
13. (1) Any person who, in Brunei Darussalam waters- (a) operates or allows to be operated, any fishing appliance without a licence; (b) has in his possession or under his control, any fishing appliance without such a licence; (c) sets up or causes to be set up any fishing appliance without a written approval from the Director prior to the issue of such a licence; or (d) contravenes the conditions of any such licence or written approval, is guilty of an offence.
Marine reserves and marine parks - offence to fish without a licence
Fisheries Order, 2009 (No. S 25)
27. (1) Any person who, in any marine reserve or marine park, without a licence- (a) fishes or attempts to fish; (b) takes, removes or is in possession of any aquatic flora and fauna or part thereof, whether dead or alive; (c) collects or is in possession of any coral, dredges or extracts any sand or gravel, discharges or deposits any pollutant, alters or destroys the natural breeding grounds or habitat of aquatic life, or destroys any aquatic life; (d) constructs or erects any building or other structure on or over any land or waters within a marine reserve or marine park; (e) anchors any vessel by dropping any kind of weight on or by attaching any kind of rope or chain to, any coral, rock or other submerged object; or (f) destroys, defaces or removes any object, whether animate or inanimate, in a marine reserve or marine park, is guilty of an offence.
General penalty for offences not otherwise provided for
Fisheries Order, 2009 (No. S 25)
40. Any person who commits an offence against this Order, if no other penalty is provided, is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both.
Repeal of the former Fisheries Act (Chapter 61)
Fisheries Order, 2009 (No. S 25)
66. Subject to section 67, the Fisheries Act is repealed.
Definition of 'spear gun' (under the now-repealed Fisheries Act, Chapter 61)
Fisheries Act, Chapter 61 (Act 13 of 1972) - REPEALED by Fisheries Order 2009 s66
"spear gun" means any device fired with the aid of compressed air, springs or any other means and made for the purpose of catching or killing fish;
Wanneer je mag duiken
Seizoenen & tijdsbeperkingen
Gesloten, open en beperkte perioden door het jaar heen. Bevestig soortspecifieke sluitingen altijd lokaal.
Geen seizoenssluitingen geregistreerd — controleer lokaal voordat je duikt.
Toestemming om te vissen
Vergunning
Wat je nodig hebt om het water in te mogen, wat het kost en hoe je het krijgt.
Through the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (for event/tournament licences). No individual recreational spearfishing licence is available.
Vraag je vergunning aanOpent het officiële portaal · agc.gov.bn
- Type
- No recreational spearfishing licence exists. The Fisheries Order 2009 has no recreational/individual angling or spearfishing permit. The only sportsfishing licence is for holding or organising a sportsfishing event or tournament (Part VIII, s23), priced at $50.00 per event or tournament. A spear gun is 'prohibited gear', so there is no licence pathway for individual spearfishing.
- Kosten
- Sportsfishing event/tournament licence: BND $50.00 per event or tournament (per the Schedule as amended by the Fisheries Order 2009)
- Geldigheid
- Licences generally expire as stated in the licence/regulations; event licence is per event/tournament
- Hoe te verkrijgen
- Through the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (for event/tournament licences). No individual recreational spearfishing licence is available.
- Autoriteit
- Department of Fisheries, Brunei Darussalam
Uitrusting & techniek
Uitrustingsregels
Welke uitrusting is toegestaan, hoe die gebruikt mag worden en welke voorwaarden eraan verbonden zijn.
Beperkingen
- A 'spear gun' is expressly listed as 'prohibited gear' under Section 2 of the Fisheries Order 2009.
- Using, attempting to use, carrying, or possessing prohibited gear (including a spear gun) for the purpose of catching/killing fish is an offence under Section 31.
- Possession of prohibited gear is presumed (unless the contrary is proved) to be intended for catching fish (Section 31(2)).
- Devices for electric fishing and explosives used for fishing are likewise prohibited gear.
Spearguns are illegal as a fishing method in Brunei waters. The earlier (now repealed) Fisheries Act Chapter 61 already defined a spear gun as a device 'made for the purpose of catching or killing fish'; the Fisheries Order 2009 went further and classified it as prohibited gear.
Wat je mag meenemen
Vangstlimieten & beschermde soorten
Dagquota, minimummaten en soorten die nooit gevangen mogen worden.
Daglimiet
unknown
Beschermde soorten — niet meenemen
- BeschermdAquatic mammals (whales, dolphins, porpoises) - protected under Section 32; no person may fish for, disturb, harass, catch, sell or take any aquatic mammal in Brunei waters
- BeschermdSea turtles and their eggs - excluded from the definition of 'fish' and protected
- BeschermdOtters - excluded from the definition of 'fish'
- BeschermdCITES-listed species - taking/possession in contravention of the Order is an offence (Section 31(1)(c))
- BeschermdLobsters - subject to a closed-season / lobster fishing area regime (Part IX, ss24-25)
Because recreational spearfishing is not a permitted activity, no recreational catch/size limits are published for it. Species protections above apply generally under the Fisheries Order 2009.
Wie mag vissen
Bezoekers & inwoners
Hoe de regels verschillen voor buitenlandse bezoekers en lokale inwoners.
Buitenlandse bezoekers
Niet toegestaanBeperkingen
- Spearfishing (use/possession of a spear gun as prohibited gear) is illegal for everyone in Brunei waters, including foreigners and tourists.
- Foreign fishing vessels require specific licensing (Part VII); innocent passage is permitted but fishing is not without a licence.
There is no foreigner spearfishing permit because spearfishing is prohibited outright. Tourists must not bring spearguns for fishing use in Brunei waters.
Inwoners
No resident recreational spearfishing licence exists (spear gun is prohibited gear).
Residents and citizens are equally subject to the prohibited-gear rules; spearfishing is not permitted. Citizen-owned vessels qualify as 'local fishing vessels' for commercial/other fishing licensing, but that does not authorise speargun use.
Waar aan de kust
Toegestane & verboden zones
Genoemde gebieden die open of gesloten zijn voor speervissen. Bekijk het volledige beeld op de interactieve kaart.
Verboden gebieden
- Brunei Marine Protected Area (MPA) no-take zone networkmarine protected area / no-take marine reserve
Network of Marine Protected Areas covering most of Brunei's coral reefs, implemented 1 January 2012. Each reef inside the network is a no-take fishing area; fishing without a licence in any marine reserve or marine park is an offence under Section 27 of the Fisheries Order 2009. Brunei has designated a substantial share (reported as over 20%, more than 1,200 sq km) of its fisheries management area as no-take zone.
- Pelong Rocks reef (marine wildlife sanctuary)marine wildlife sanctuary / coral reef
Oceanic islet fringed with coral reefs (approx. 2 hectares), a marine wildlife sanctuary; one of Brunei's principal coral reef sites within the protected-reef system. Fishing and taking of aquatic life without a licence is prohibited where it falls within a marine reserve/park.
- Abana Rocks reefcoral reef / no-take area
Named coral reef site in Brunei waters surveyed within the MPA network; reefs inside the network are no-take fishing areas.
- Otter Shoal reefcoral reef / no-take area
Named coral reef site in Brunei waters within the surveyed reef/MPA network; no-take fishing area.
- Champion Oil Field reefcoral reef / no-take area
Coral reef associated with the Champion oil field area in Brunei waters, surveyed within the reef/MPA network; no-take fishing area.
Condities op het water
Live condities
Live mariene en weersmomentopname nabij een kustreferentiepunt in Brunei Darussalam, van Open-Meteo. Condities variëren langs de kust — beschouw als indicatief.
Live mariene & weerscondities nabij Pelong Rocks reef (marine wildlife sanctuary).
Wie je moet vragen
Autoriteiten
De officiële instanties die verantwoordelijk zijn voor visserij en vergunningen.
Department of Fisheries (Jabatan Perikanan), Brunei Darussalam
fisheries authority
fisheries.gov.bnMinistry of Primary Resources and Tourism, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei DarussalamAttorney General's Chambers (AGC), Brunei Darussalam
legislation portal / legal authority
agc.gov.bnBandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
Waar dit vandaan komt
Bronnen
Elke bewering op deze pagina is terug te voeren op een van deze referenties.
- [01]
Fisheries Order, 2009 (No. S 25) - Constitution of Brunei Darussalam, official Government Gazette (full verbatim text)
Officieelagc.gov.bnGeraadpleegd jun 14 - [02]
Laws of Brunei, Chapter 61, Fisheries (Act 13 of 1972) - official Attorney General's Chambers PDF (now repealed; retains spear gun definition)
Officieelagc.gov.bnGeraadpleegd jun 14 - [03]
Brunei Darussalam - Fisheries Order, 2009 (No. S25) - ILO NATLEX record
Officieelilo.orgGeraadpleegd jun 14 - [04]
Reef Check Concludes First Comprehensive Survey of Brunei Reefs (MPA no-take network, named reefs, 1 Jan 2012 implementation)
Secundairreefcheck.orgGeraadpleegd jun 14 - [05]
Pelong Rocks Map - Islet, Brunei (geographic coordinates)
Secundairmapcarta.comGeraadpleegd jun 14 - [06]
Department of Fisheries (Brunei) - overview of licensing and Fisheries Order 2009 administration
Secundairen.wikipedia.orgGeraadpleegd jun 14
Notities van de onderzoeker
Brunei's current governing fisheries law is the Fisheries Order, 2009 (No. S 25), made under Article 83(3) of the Constitution; it repealed the former Fisheries Act, Chapter 61 (1972) via section 66. The decisive provision for spearfishing is that a 'spear gun' is expressly listed as 'prohibited gear' (s2), and using/possessing prohibited gear to catch fish is an offence (s31), with a possession presumption (s31(2)). There is no recreational spearfishing licence; the only sportsfishing provision (s23) covers licensing an event/tournament organiser, and 'sportsfishing' is excluded from the licensable 'fishing' definition. Spearfishing is therefore treated as 'no' (prohibited) rather than 'restricted'. All law_texts are verbatim excerpts extracted (via pdftotext) from the official AGC gazette/act PDFs that were actually fetched; both PDFs are scanned/OCR documents from the Attorney General's Chambers. Pelong Rocks coordinates are from a geographic gazetteer (mapcarta), not from the legal text. Named reefs (Abana Rocks, Otter Shoal, Champion Oil Field) come from the Reef Check survey article; exact MPA boundary coordinates and a per-reef official gazette notification list were not retrievable, so only the Pelong Rocks point coordinate is included. Seasons left empty: no recreational spearfishing season exists because the activity is prohibited (a lobster closed-time regime exists under Part IX but is not a spearfishing season). Data confidence is high for the prohibition because it rests on verbatim official legislation; zone-level detail confidence is lower (secondary sources).
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