SpearfishingMap

Israel

Asia · Western Asia

Recreational spearfishing is legal in Israel but only when carried out by free-diving (breath-hold) with a valid personal sport fishing license. Fishing while using SCUBA / artificial breathing apparatus is prohibited everywhere, so SCUBA spearfishing is banned nationwide. The use of a spear gun is additionally prohibited entirely in Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) and in the Gulf of Eilat (Red Sea), meaning lawful spearfishing in practice takes place along the Mediterranean coast. Firearms may not be used to take fish anywhere. A general 5 kg / 2-large-fish daily bag limit, minimum landing sizes, Mediterranean spawning-season closures and no-take marine reserves and harbour zones all apply. Rules derive from the Fisheries Ordinance, 1937 and the Fisheries Rules made under it, significantly amended in 2016.

Restricted
Betrouwbaarheid van gegevensHoge betrouwbaarheid

Laatst bijgewerkt juni 14, 2026

Geldend kader

  • §Fisheries Ordinance, 1937 (consolidated; latest amendment 2000)
  • §Fisheries Rules, 1937 (made under section 9 of the Fisheries Ordinance; consolidated with amendments through 2020, including the major 2016 reform)
  • §National Parks, Nature Reserves, National Sites and Memorial Sites Law, 1998 (basis for marine nature reserves administered by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority)
Vergunning vereist
Vereist
Harpoengeweer
Toegestaan
Duikfles
Verboden
Buitenlanders
Welkom

De wet, woordelijk

Wetteksten

De exacte wettelijke en regelgevende bepalingen die speervissen hier reguleren, geciteerd zoals gepubliceerd, met een link naar elke officiële bron.

01Regulation 4(a)(6), 4(a)(7), 4(a)(9)Israel · national

Prohibited methods of taking fish (spear gun, SCUBA, firearm)

Fisheries Rules, 1937 (made under the Fisheries Ordinance, 1937), consolidated version

ENVertaald

4. (a) No person will take fish employing the following methods (hereinafter: Prohibited Methods of Fishing): ... (6) By means of a spear gun in Lake Kinneret and in the Gulf of Eilat; (7) Artificial respiration devices for diving (SCUBA); ... (9) By employing a firearm;

02Regulation 9(a)(1)Israel · national

Penalty for using a prohibited fishing method

Fisheries Rules, 1937 (consolidated version)

ENVertaald

9. (a) Whoever commits one of these offences, could be sentenced to six months in prison or to a fine as stated in Section 61(a)(1) of the Penal Law: (1) Taking Fish by Employing a Prohibited Fishing Method, in contravention of Regulation 4(a);

03Regulation 2(1), 2(3)Israel · national

Fishing licence requirement and fee

Fisheries Rules, 1937 (consolidated version)

ENVertaald

2. (1) The Chief Fisheries Officer is at liberty to issue, to the appropriate people, at his discretion, licenses to take fish (hereinafter - fishing license); An application for a fishing license will be submitted ... (3) A fee of 192.00 NIS will be levied for each fishing license, which is not a license according to subsections (1)(b) or (2) of section 3 of the Ordinance and which is not a license to take fish in private waters ... (3a) Notwithstanding that stipulated in sub-regulation (3), a fee of 464.00 NIS will be levied for a fishing license in Lake Kinneret.

04Regulation 8(1)(a)-(c)Israel · national

Areas prohibited for fishing (Haifa and Jaffa harbours, Gulf of Eilat reserve)

Fisheries Rules, 1937 (consolidated version)

ENVertaald

8. (1) No person will take fish in the following geographical areas: (a) in the area of water enclosed by the main and side breakwaters in Haifa, or above these breakwaters; (b) in the area of water enclosed by the sea wall in Jaffa and the adjacent rock cliffs, to the north, or above the sea wall and these rock cliffs; except according to a special license to this end issued by the Chief Fisheries Officer; (c) In the area of the Gulf of Eilat bounded by the following geographical points ... In the north - the port of Eilat ... In the south - Almog beach ...

05Regulation 8a(a),(b),(g),(h)Israel · national

Prohibition of fishing during the spawning season (Mediterranean and Lake Kinneret) and defined periods

Fisheries Rules, 1937 (consolidated version)

ENVertaald

8a. (a) No person will take fish from the Mediterranean Sea during the spawning season, except for trawl fishing; This sub-regulation will not apply to taking fish with a rod from the shore. ... (b) No person will take fish during the nesting and spawning period with any fishing gear, including with a single rod, in the areas of Lake Kinneret ... (g) ... 'The Nesting and Spawning Period' - the nesting and spawning period of the Galilee tilapia, between March 15 and July 15 of each year, provided that this period does not exceed 90 consecutive days. 'The Spawning Period' - the period between March 1 and July 1 of each year, provided that the total period is not less than 60 consecutive days and does not exceed 90 consecutive days. (h) No person will take fish with a trawl net in the Mediterranean Sea during the period between May 1 and August 31 of each year ... (the trawl recruitment period).

06Regulation 6 / First AddendumIsrael · national

Minimum landing sizes (First Addendum, Regulation 6) - selected Mediterranean species

Fisheries Rules, 1937 (consolidated version), First Addendum

ENVertaald

First Addendum (Regulation 6) - Fish from the Ocean and Fish from Rivers: Flathead Grey Mullet (Mugil cephalus) 20 cm; Dusky Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) 40 cm; Goldblotch Grouper (Epinephelus costae) 40 cm; White Grouper (Epinephelus aeneus) 40 cm; Wreckfish (Polyprion americanus) 30 cm; Common Pandora (Pagellus erythrinus) 11 cm; White Seabream (Diplodus sargus) 11 cm; Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) 15 cm; European Barracuda (Sphyraena sphyraena) 20 cm; Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) 40 cm; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) 70 cm; Narrow Barred Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) 30 cm.

Wanneer je mag duiken

Seizoenen & tijdsbeperkingen

Gesloten, open en beperkte perioden door het jaar heen. Bevestig soortspecifieke sluitingen altijd lokaal.

jan
feb
mrt
apr
mei
jun
jul
aug
sep
okt
nov
dec
GeslotenBeperktOpen
  • GeslotenMediterranean Sea (all gear except shore rod and trawl, which is governed separately); spawning seasonmrt 1 – jul 1

    Regulation 8a(a)+(g): no taking of fish from the Mediterranean Sea during the 'spawning season' (a period set between 1 March and 1 July each year, 60-90 consecutive days as published by the Chief Fisheries Officer), except trawl fishing and shore rod fishing. The exact dates each year are published by official notice in two daily newspapers.

  • GeslotenLake Kinneret (Bethsaida and Ginosar Tower beach areas) - all gear including single rodmrt 15 – jul 15

    Regulation 8a(b)+(g): no taking of fish with any gear (including a single rod) in the defined Lake Kinneret areas during the Galilee tilapia nesting and spawning period, set between 15 March and 15 July each year (max 90 consecutive days). Not a marine spearfishing area but spear-gun use in Kinneret is in any case banned year-round.

Toestemming om te vissen

Vergunning

Wat je nodig hebt om het water in te mogen, wat het kost en hoe je het krijgt.

Vergunning vereistvia Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development - Fisheries Division (Chief Fisheries Officer)

Apply via the Israeli government online portal (gov.il / survey.gov.il) or at the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries Division offices in Beit Dagan, Haifa or Tiberias. No short-term tourist/daily licenses are issued; visitors must buy the annual license or fish under a licensed charter captain's permit.

Vraag je vergunning aan

Opent het officiële portaal · gov.il

Vergunning vereist
Type
Personal sport fishing license (rishayon dayig sport). Required for spearfishing, boat/kayak fishing, use of auxiliary equipment (drones, kites, bait boats) and cast nets. Simple shore rod-and-reel fishing without auxiliary equipment requires no license.
Kosten
192.00 NIS per year (statutory fee, Regulation 2(3)); 464.00 NIS for a Lake Kinneret license (Regulation 2(3a)). Secondary sources cite ~192 ILS (~USD 50) annually.
Geldigheid
Personal and individual; valid until the end of the calendar year (31 December) of issue.
Hoe te verkrijgen
Apply via the Israeli government online portal (gov.il / survey.gov.il) or at the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries Division offices in Beit Dagan, Haifa or Tiberias. No short-term tourist/daily licenses are issued; visitors must buy the annual license or fish under a licensed charter captain's permit.
Autoriteit
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development - Fisheries Division (Chief Fisheries Officer)

Uitrusting & techniek

Uitrustingsregels

Welke uitrusting is toegestaan, hoe die gebruikt mag worden en welke voorwaarden eraan verbonden zijn.

HarpoengeweerToegestaan
DuikflesVerboden

Beperkingen

  • Spear gun prohibited entirely in Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) and in the Gulf of Eilat (Regulation 4(a)(6)).
  • Fishing using SCUBA / artificial breathing apparatus for diving is prohibited everywhere (Regulation 4(a)(7)) - spearfishing must be by free-diving (breath-hold) only.
  • Use of firearms to take fish is prohibited (Regulation 4(a)(9)).
  • Spearfishing requires a valid personal sport fishing license.

Spear guns are lawful for free-diving spearfishing along the Mediterranean coast (outside reserves/closures), but banned in Lake Kinneret and the Gulf of Eilat, and may never be used with SCUBA. Earlier reporting describing 'spear guns as illegal' generally refers to their use with SCUBA or inside reserves; the consolidated Fisheries Rules permit free-dive spear-gun fishing in the Mediterranean.

Wat je mag meenemen

Vangstlimieten & beschermde soorten

Dagquota, minimummaten en soorten die nooit gevangen mogen worden.

Daglimiet

Sport fishing bag limit: up to 5 kg of fish per person per day, OR up to 2 large fish even if their combined weight exceeds 5 kg (introduced by the 2016 amendment). Invasive species such as lionfish are exempt and may be removed without limit.

Minimummaten

  • Dusky Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus)min 40 cm
  • Goldblotch Grouper (Epinephelus costae)min 40 cm
  • White Grouper (Epinephelus aeneus)min 40 cm
  • Wreckfish (Polyprion americanus)min 30 cm
  • Flathead Grey Mullet (Mugil cephalus)min 20 cm
  • Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata)min 15 cm
  • White Seabream (Diplodus sargus)min 11 cm
  • Common Pandora (Pagellus erythrinus)min 11 cm
  • European Barracuda (Sphyraena sphyraena)min 20 cm
  • Meagre (Argyrosomus regius)min 40 cm
  • Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus)min 70 cm
  • Narrow Barred Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson)min 30 cm

Beschermde soorten — niet meenemen

  • BeschermdAll marine mammals, sea turtles and elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are protected under Israeli wildlife/nature-protection law and may not be taken.
  • BeschermdSpecies inside declared marine nature reserves are fully protected (no take).

Minimum landing sizes are set in the First Addendum (Regulation 6) of the Fisheries Rules; the table above is a selection of the most spearfishing-relevant Mediterranean species. Fish below minimum size must be released. The 5 kg / 2-large-fish daily bag limit applies to recreational/sport fishers.

Wie mag vissen

Bezoekers & inwoners

Hoe de regels verschillen voor buitenlandse bezoekers en lokale inwoners.

Buitenlandse bezoekers

Toegestaan

Speciale vergunning vereist

Vereisten

  • Must hold the same personal annual sport fishing license as residents - there are no short-term/daily/weekly tourist licenses.
  • Alternatively, fish under a licensed charter operator whose captain's permit covers passengers.

Beperkingen

  • Same gear, zone, season, size and bag-limit rules as residents (free-diving only, no SCUBA, no spear gun in Eilat/Kinneret, no fishing in reserves).
  • Importation of spearfishing gear may be subject to Israeli customs rules.

No nationality-based prohibition on recreational spearfishing; foreigners are treated like residents but cannot obtain short-term licenses, which is a practical barrier for short visits.

Inwoners

Personal annual sport fishing license (rishayon dayig sport) issued by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries Division.

Vereisten

  • Apply via gov.il / survey.gov.il or at Fisheries Division offices (Beit Dagan, Haifa, Tiberias).
  • Pay statutory fee (192.00 NIS general; 464.00 NIS for Lake Kinneret).
  • License is personal/individual and valid to 31 December of the year of issue.

Voordelen

  • Permits free-diving spearfishing along the Mediterranean coast and other licensed sport fishing within the bag/size/season rules.

Same license framework applies to residents and non-residents; no separate resident-only category for 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.

Toegestane gebieden

  • Free-diving (breath-hold) spearfishing with a valid sport fishing license is permitted along the open Mediterranean coast, outside declared marine nature reserves, harbour exclusion zones and during the spawning-season closure. SCUBA spearfishing is prohibited everywhere.

    Sport fishing license required; free-diving only (no SCUBA); 5 kg or 2 large fish daily bag limit; minimum sizes apply; spawning-season closure (approx. March-July) applies.

Verboden gebieden

  • Gulf of Eilat (Red Sea)spear-gun prohibition zone / marine reserve

    Spear-gun fishing is prohibited throughout the Gulf of Eilat under Regulation 4(a)(6); a further no-take zone bounded between the port of Eilat and Almog beach is defined in Regulation 8(1)(c). The Coral Beach Nature Reserve within the gulf is also a no-fishing marine reserve.

  • Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee)spear-gun prohibition zone (freshwater)

    Spear-gun fishing is prohibited throughout Lake Kinneret under Regulation 4(a)(6) (freshwater, not marine). Additional seasonal no-take areas (Bethsaida, Ginosar Tower beach) apply during the tilapia nesting/spawning period.

  • Regulation 8(1)(a): no taking of fish in the water enclosed by the main and side breakwaters in Haifa, or above these breakwaters.

  • Regulation 8(1)(b): no taking of fish in the water enclosed by the Jaffa sea wall and adjacent rock cliffs (to the north), except under a special licence from the Chief Fisheries Officer.

  • Israel's largest Mediterranean marine reserve (about 100 km2), stretching from the Israel-Lebanon border south to Nahariya and extending offshore. Fishing (including spearfishing) is prohibited; managed and enforced by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

  • Shikmona Marine Nature Reservemarine nature reserve

    Declared marine nature reserve off Haifa (Tel Shikmona / Carmel Beach area). Fishing with any gear, including a single hook or an underwater spear-gun, is prohibited; managed by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

  • Mediterranean marine nature reserve on the Carmel coast where fishing is restricted/prohibited; managed by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

  • Mediterranean marine nature reserve south of Haifa where fishing is restricted/prohibited; managed by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

  • Red Sea coral reef marine reserve at Eilat where all fishing is strictly prohibited; managed by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. (Spear guns are also banned throughout the Gulf of Eilat.)

Condities op het water

Live condities

Live mariene en weersmomentopname nabij een kustreferentiepunt in Israel, van Open-Meteo. Condities variëren langs de kust — beschouw als indicatief.

Live mariene & weerscondities nabij Gulf of Eilat (Red Sea).

Condities

Wie je moet vragen

Autoriteiten

De officiële instanties die verantwoordelijk zijn voor visserij en vergunningen.

  • Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development - Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (Chief Fisheries Officer)

    fisheries authority

    gov.ilFisheries Division offices: Beit Dagan, Haifa, Tiberias
  • Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA / Rashut Hateva VeHaganim)

    protected areas / marine reserves authority

    en.parks.org.ilMarine enforcement unit (marine rangers)

Waar dit vandaan komt

Bronnen

Elke bewering op deze pagina is terug te voeren op een van deze referenties.

  1. [01]

    Fisheries Ordinance 1937 - Complete and Up to Date Version (consolidated Fisheries Ordinance and Rules, English), Israel Ministry of Agriculture (gov.il)

    Officieel
    gov.ilGeraadpleegd jun 14
  2. [02]

    FISHERIES RULES, 1937 - FAOLEX (FAO) full English text

    Officieel
    faolex.fao.orgGeraadpleegd jun 14
  3. [03]

    Fisheries Ordinance - UNEP Law and Environment Assistance Platform (LEAP)

    Officieel
    leap.unep.orgGeraadpleegd jun 14
  4. [04]

    Fishing Smart - Protecting the Sea, Israel Nature and Parks Authority

    Officieel
    en.parks.org.ilGeraadpleegd jun 14
  5. [05]

    Tackling illegal fishing, new marine ranger force finds its sea legs - The Times of Israel

    Secundair
    timesofisrael.comGeraadpleegd jun 14
  6. [06]

    Israel's Rosh Hanikra-Achziv Marine Reserve Opens to Visitors - DivePhotoGuide

    Secundair
    divephotoguide.comGeraadpleegd jun 14
  7. [07]

    Fishing in Israel 2026 - Fishing World Guide (license, bag limits, freedive vs scuba spearfishing)

    Secundair
    fishingworldguide.comGeraadpleegd jun 14

Notities van de onderzoeker

Primary legal basis is the consolidated Fisheries Ordinance, 1937 and the Fisheries Rules made under it, with the major reform via the 2016 amendment (spawning-season closures, SCUBA-fishing ban, sport-fishing bag limit, trawl restrictions). Verbatim text was extracted from the official Israeli government consolidated English PDF (gov.il) and cross-checked against the FAOLEX text. Key point for spearfishers: free-diving spear-gun fishing is LEGAL along the Mediterranean with an annual sport license, but is BANNED in Lake Kinneret and the Gulf of Eilat, and SCUBA spearfishing is banned nationwide; fishing is prohibited inside declared marine nature reserves and inside Haifa/Jaffa harbour zones. Exact annual spawning-closure dates are published by official notice each year and fall within the 1 March - 1 July (sea) and 15 March - 15 July (Kinneret) windows. Marine-reserve coordinates are approximate centroids derived from the INPA reserve list and mapping; the legal coordinate definitions for harbour/Eilat no-take zones are given in Regulation 8 of the Rules. The 5 kg / 2-large-fish daily bag limit is reported by a secondary source and reflects the 2016 sport-fishing limit; the underlying notice issued by the Chief Fisheries Officer was not retrieved verbatim.

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