Democratic Republic of the Congo
Africa · Middle Africa
There is no statute in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that specifically regulates recreational spearfishing or underwater fishing (chasse sous-marine). The fisheries sector is still governed by the colonial-era Decree of 21 April 1937 on fishing (decret du 21 avril 1937 sur la peche), under which fishing is generally permitted throughout the territory (Art. 57), subject to private-water rights (Art. 58) and customary indigenous fishing rights (Art. 59). The decree does not mention spearguns, harpoons, diving or underwater fishing, but it empowers the governor general and provincial authorities to prohibit certain fishing modes, traps or gear (Art. 65), to close seasons for chosen species (Art. 61) and to create reserves where fishing is wholly or partly prohibited (Art. 62); destroying spawn/fry and fishing in spawning grounds is prohibited (Art. 60). The DRC's only marine protected area, the Mangroves Marine Park / Parc Marin des Mangroves at Muanda (Kongo Central, Atlantic coast, est. 1992, Ramsar site 1996, managed by ICCN), restricts fishing to conservation-compatible traditional use. A modern framework law on fishing and aquaculture (proposition de loi portant principes fondamentaux relatifs a la peche et a l'aquaculture) was declared admissible by the National Assembly in May 2025 but was not yet promulgated as of mid-2025. Because spearfishing is neither explicitly authorised nor explicitly prohibited, and is potentially caught by general gear-restriction and protected-area powers, its status is classified as restricted/unclear.
Laatst bijgewerkt mei 16, 2025
Geldend kader
- §Decret du 21 avril 1937 sur la peche (Belgian Congo fishing decree, still in force; arts. 57-67)
- §Decret du 12 juillet 1932 relatif aux concessions de peche (fishing concessions, referenced by art. 57)
- §Loi n 14/003 du 11 fevrier 2014 relative a la conservation de la nature (nature conservation / protected areas)
- §Proposition de loi portant principes fondamentaux relatifs a la peche et a l'aquaculture (declared admissible by National Assembly, May 2025; not yet promulgated)
De wet, woordelijk
Wetteksten
De exacte wettelijke en regelgevende bepalingen die speervissen hier reguleren, geciteerd zoals gepubliceerd, met een link naar elke officiële bron.
Fishing generally permitted throughout the territory
Decret du 21 avril 1937 sur la peche
La peche est permise sur tout le territoire du Congo belge, sans prejudice de l'application du decret du 12 juillet 1932 relatif aux concessions de peche et des exceptions prevues ci-apres.
Fishing in waters belonging to others
Decret du 21 avril 1937 sur la peche
Nul ne peut pecher dans les eaux qui appartiennent a autrui si le fonds dont elles dependent n'est greve d'un droit de peche a son profit, ou s'il n'y a consentement du proprietaire ou de ses ayants droit. N'appartiennent pas a autrui, aux termes du present decret, les eaux territoriales, lacs, etangs et cours d'eau dont le lit fait partie du domaine de l'Etat.
Customary (indigenous) fishing rights and gear
Decret du 21 avril 1937 sur la peche
Les indigenes exercent leurs droits traditionnels de peche, notamment au moyen de barrages, nasses et filets, dans la mesure fixee par la coutume et dans les limites de la circonscription, sous reserve des restrictions du present decret. Il est interdit de detruire ces installations. Toutefois, si elles entravent la navigation, provoquent l'envasement ou l'ensablement des cours d'eau, ou constituent un danger au point de vue sanitaire, l'administrateur territorial peut les faire modifier ou enlever.
Protection of spawn, fry and spawning grounds
Decret du 21 avril 1937 sur la peche
La destruction du frai et des alevins, ainsi que la peche dans les frayeres, sont interdites.
Power to close fishing seasons by species and water body
Decret du 21 avril 1937 sur la peche
Le gouverneur general et le commissaire provincial peuvent decider, par ordonnance ou arrete, la fermeture de la peche, dans certains cours d'eau, lacs ou etangs, pendant certaines periodes et pour les especes de poissons qu'ils determinent.
Power to create fishing reserves where fishing is prohibited
Decret du 21 avril 1937 sur la peche
Le gouverneur general et le commissaire provincial peuvent decider par ordonnance ou arrete que certaines eaux sont constituees en reserve ou la peche est prohibee partiellement ou totalement.
Power to set minimum mesh sizes and prohibit certain fishing methods, traps or gear
Decret du 21 avril 1937 sur la peche
Le gouverneur general et le commissaire provincial peuvent, par ordonnance ou arrete, determiner les dimensions minima que pourront avoir les mailles des filets, les mailles ou les interstices des nasses et prohiber l'emploi de certains modes, pieges ou engins de peche.
Wanneer je mag duiken
Seizoenen & tijdsbeperkingen
Gesloten, open en beperkte perioden door het jaar heen. Bevestig soortspecifieke sluitingen altijd lokaal.
- GeslotenSpecies and water bodies designated by the governor general / provincial commissionerunknown – unknown
No fixed national closed season exists. Under Article 61 of the 1937 decree, the governor general and provincial authorities may, by ordinance or order, close fishing in specified rivers, lakes or ponds for specified periods and species. Any specific closures are set locally and were not retrievable from a national source.
Toestemming om te vissen
Vergunning
Wat je nodig hebt om het water in te mogen, wat het kost en hoe je het krijgt.
unknown
Vraag je vergunning aanOpent het officiële portaal · fao.org
- Type
- unknown
- Kosten
- unknown
- Geldigheid
- unknown
- Hoe te verkrijgen
- unknown
- Autoriteit
- Ministry in charge of fisheries / provincial authorities; ICCN within protected areas
Uitrusting & techniek
Uitrustingsregels
Welke uitrusting is toegestaan, hoe die gebruikt mag worden en welke voorwaarden eraan verbonden zijn.
Beperkingen
- No statute specifically addresses spearguns, harpoons or underwater/scuba fishing.
- Under Article 65 of the 1937 fishing decree, authorities may prohibit the use of certain fishing modes, traps or gear and set minimum net mesh sizes.
- Destruction of spawn/fry and fishing in spawning grounds is prohibited (Article 60).
Spearfishing gear is not named in DRC fisheries law. Whether a speargun is permitted in any given water depends on local ordinances/orders that may be issued under Article 65, which were not retrievable from a national source.
Wat je mag meenemen
Vangstlimieten & beschermde soorten
Dagquota, minimummaten en soorten die nooit gevangen mogen worden.
Daglimiet
unknown
Beschermde soorten — niet meenemen
- BeschermdAfrican manatee (Trichechus senegalensis)
- BeschermdMarine turtles: olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- BeschermdHippopotamus and crocodiles (within the Mangroves Marine Park)
No general size or bag limits for spearfishing were found. Protected species listed are those protected within the Mangroves Marine Park and under nature-conservation law (Loi n 14/003 of 2014); their capture is prohibited regardless of method.
Wie mag vissen
Bezoekers & inwoners
Hoe de regels verschillen voor buitenlandse bezoekers en lokale inwoners.
Buitenlandse bezoekers
No specific rules on spearfishing or recreational fishing by foreigners were found. General fishing is permitted under the 1937 decree but local authorisation and protected-area rules may apply; foreigners should confirm requirements with the provincial fisheries administration and, near the coast, with ICCN.
Inwoners
unknown
Voordelen
- Customary/traditional fishing rights are recognised for local (indigenous) communities under Article 59 of the 1937 decree (notably via barrages, traps and nets), within customary limits.
Customary fishing rights apply to local communities; these are traditional gear rights and do not specifically cover spearfishing.
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
- Parc Marin des Mangroves (Mangroves Marine / National Park), Muandamarine national park / Ramsar wetland reserve
The DRC's only marine protected area, at the mouth of the Congo River on the Atlantic coast near Muanda/Banana, Kongo Central Province. Established 1992; designated a Ramsar wetland site on 18 January 1996 (Ramsar No. 788); IUCN Category II; covers about 768 km2 / 76,000 ha. Managed by the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN). Fishing is restricted to conservation-compatible traditional use; commercial/illegal fishing and disturbance of the natural environment are prohibited. Protected fauna include the African manatee, marine turtles (olive ridley, leatherback, green), hippopotamus and crocodiles. Spearfishing here would be subject to ICCN protected-area rules.
Condities op het water
Live condities
Live mariene en weersmomentopname nabij een kustreferentiepunt in Democratic Republic of the Congo, van Open-Meteo. Condities variëren langs de kust — beschouw als indicatief.
Live mariene & weerscondities nabij Parc Marin des Mangroves (Mangroves Marine / National Park), Muanda.
Wie je moet vragen
Autoriteiten
De officiële instanties die verantwoordelijk zijn voor visserij en vergunningen.
Ministere de la Peche et Elevage / Ministry in charge of Fisheries and Livestock
fisheries authority
fao.orgunknownInstitut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN)
protected areas / nature conservation authority
iccnrdc.cdunknownMinistere de l'Environnement et Developpement Durable (MEDD)
environment ministry
medd.gouv.cdunknown
Waar dit vandaan komt
Bronnen
Elke bewering op deze pagina is terug te voeren op een van deze referenties.
- [01]
Decret du 21 avril 1937 sur la peche (full text, arts. 57-67)
Officieelleganet.cdGeraadpleegd jun 14 - [02]
Decret du 21 avril 1937 portant regime de la chasse et de la peche - ECOLEX record
Officieelecolex.orgGeraadpleegd jun 14 - [03]
FAOLEX country profile - Democratic Republic of the Congo (COD)
Officieelfao.orgGeraadpleegd jun 14 - [04]
Une loi-cadre sur la peche et l'aquaculture continentales en RDC - FAO publication
Officieelfao.orgGeraadpleegd jun 14 - [05]
Assemblee nationale: adoption / recevabilite de la loi sur la peche et l'aquaculture (mai 2025) - Radio Okapi
Secundairradiookapi.netGeraadpleegd jun 14 - [06]
RDC : Une loi historique pour moderniser la peche et l'aquaculture voit le jour - Congo Quotidien
Secundaircongoquotidien.comGeraadpleegd jun 14 - [07]
Mangroves National Park (Parc Marin des Mangroves) - Wikipedia (coordinates, status, species)
Secundairen.wikipedia.orgGeraadpleegd jun 14 - [08]
Parc Marin des Mangroves - official site
Officieelparcmarindesmangroves.orgGeraadpleegd jun 14 - [09]
Le Parc Marin des Mangroves du Bas-Congo - FAO Africa
Officieelfao.orgGeraadpleegd jun 14
Notities van de onderzoeker
The DRC has a short (~37 km) Atlantic coastline at Muanda/Banana but is overwhelmingly an inland (freshwater) fisheries country (Congo River, Lakes Tanganyika, Kivu, Edward, Albert, Mai-Ndombe, etc.). No DRC legal instrument was found that mentions spearfishing, underwater fishing, spearguns, harpoons or diving. The operative fisheries statute is the still-in-force colonial Decree of 21 April 1937, whose verbatim provisions (arts. 57-67) are captured above from leganet.cd (the principal Congolese legal database). Fishing is generally free (art. 57) but authorities may close seasons (art. 61), create reserves (art. 62) and prohibit specific gear/methods (art. 65); a speargun could therefore be banned locally without that ban being centrally published. The only marine protected area, the Mangroves Marine Park near Muanda (Ramsar site, ICCN-managed), restricts fishing. A modern framework law on fishing and aquaculture was declared admissible by the National Assembly in May 2025 but the full text was not retrievable and it was not yet promulgated; once enacted it may change this picture. data_confidence is set to 'low' and spearfishing_allowed to 'restricted' because, while real verbatim general fishing law was obtained, no source directly addresses spearfishing and several discretionary restriction powers and protected-area rules could apply. License, catch-limit, foreigner and resident specifics for spearfishing remain unknown.
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