SpearfishingMap

United Arab Emirates

Asia · Western Asia

Spearfishing is legal in the UAE but tightly regulated and the rules differ by emirate. Fisheries are governed at the federal level by Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 (amended by Federal Law No. 7 of 2016), with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and each emirate's local authority issuing detailed rules. In Abu Dhabi, the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) explicitly permits recreational spearfishing under Decision No. 4 of 2023: only spearguns used while free-diving are allowed (scuba-assisted spearfishing is not), a recreational fishing permit is required, the diver must display the international diving flag, and at least three people (a driver plus two holders of a recreational speargun licence) must be on board the boat. Recreational fishing in general requires a free or low-cost permit in every emirate (free 1-week permit in Dubai; AED 50-120 elsewhere). A nationwide breeding-season closure and species-specific bans (sharks, sheri, safi, and protected species such as turtles, dugongs, dolphins, parrotfish) apply. Penalties for unlicensed fishing or taking protected species include heavy fines and equipment confiscation.

Restricted
د معلوماتو باورمنځنی باور

وروستی ځل تازه شوی جولای 1, 2024

حاکم چوکاټ

  • §Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 concerning the Exploitation, Protection and Development of Living Aquatic Resources in the Waters of the State of the United Arab Emirates
  • §Federal Law No. 7 of 2016 (amending Federal Law No. 23 of 1999)
  • §Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) Decision No. 4 of 2023 regulating recreational fishing and fishing competitions in Abu Dhabi
  • §Ministerial Resolution No. 43 of 2019 regulating shark fishing and trade
  • §Ministerial Decision No. 501 of 2015 prohibiting fishing/trade of Arabian sheri (and safi)
جواز اړین دی
اړین
نیزه توپک
اجازه لري
سکوبا
منع دی
بهرنیان
ښه راغلاست

هکلي قانون

قانوني متنونه

هغه دقیق قانوني او تنظیمي حکمونه چې دلته د ماهیګیرۍ حاکم دي، لکه چاپ شوي، د هر رسمي سرچینې سره لینک.

01Permitted gear provisionAbu Dhabi · regional

Allowed recreational fishing gear (spearguns while free-diving)

EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023

ENاصلي

The recreational fishing gears may include line and hooks or spear guns while practicing free diving, or by any other methods specified by EAD.

02Permit provisionAbu Dhabi · regional

Permit requirement for recreational fishing and competitions

EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023

ENاصلي

The decision prohibits the practice of recreational fishing and the organisation of marine fishing competitions in the emirate's waters without obtaining a permit from EAD.

03Eligibility provisionAbu Dhabi · regional

Minimum age for a recreational fishing licence

EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023

ENاصلي

The applicant should not be under 18 years old; however, those below that age are allowed to accompany an adult holding a valid recreational fishing license.

04Speargun conditionsAbu Dhabi · regional

Diving flag and crew requirements for spearfishing

EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023

ENاصلي

The internationally recognised diving flag must also be displayed when spearfishing. There must be at least three (3) persons (a driver and two holders of a recreational license for using spear gun) on board the boat while fishing with a speargun.

05Catch limit provisionAbu Dhabi · regional

Daily catch quota

EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023

ENاصلي

Licensees must adhere to the permitted daily fishing quota of 24 fish species of per person, and per pleasure boat.

06Catch handling provisionAbu Dhabi · regional

Prohibition on selling catch and ornamental collection

EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023

ENاصلي

Fish or marine species caught must not be disposed of until returning to land or reaching the anchorage or landing area and should not be sold. This is in addition to not catching or keeping marine species, or any part thereof, for ornamental purposes.

07Reporting provisionAbu Dhabi · regional

Post-trip reporting obligation

EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023

ENاصلي

Upon completion of the fishing trip, a report with details of species and quantities of caught fish species is to be submitted to EAD.

08Shark fishing regulationUnited Arab Emirates · national

Shark fishing season and permanent protection of listed sharks

Ministerial Resolution No. 43 of 2019

ENاصلي

The Ministry permanently prohibits the hunting of sharks listed in CITES, CMS, and other protected species of sharks according to Federal Law No. (23) of 1999. The resolution permanently prohibits the import and re-export of shark fins whether fresh, frozen, dried, salted, smoked, or in any other form, except for shark fins imported for scientific research purposes and with the Ministry's approval. The shark fishing season will start from July 1, 2024, lasting until February 28, 2025, with fishing prohibited from the start of March through the end of June each year.

09General prohibitions (summary excerpt)United Arab Emirates · federal

Protection of endangered species and ban on breeding-season fishing (federal law)

Federal Law No. 23 of 1999

ENژباړل شوی

The law also bans fishing during breeding seasons. Fishing of sea turtles, collecting their eggs, and fishing of whales, dugong and other endangered species are prohibited. Article 31 stipulates: no UAE fishing boat shall be allowed to sail without a national captain or owner at the helm.

کله لمبلی شئ

موسمونه او د وخت محدودیتونه

د کال په اوږدو کې بند، خلاص او محدود وختونه. تل د ماهیانو ځانګړي بندیزونه سیمه‌ییزه تصدیق کړه.

جنو
فبر
مار
اپر
مئ
جون
جول
اګس
سپت
اکت
نوم
دسم
بندمحدودخلاص
  • بندSharks (all species), nationwideمار 1 – جون 30

    Closed season for shark fishing and trade under Ministerial Resolution No. 43 of 2019; fishing prohibited from the start of March through the end of June each year (open season 1 July - end of February). Sharks listed under CITES/CMS are permanently protected.

  • بندArabian sheri (spangled emperor) and safi (rabbitfish), nationwideمار 1 – اپر 30

    Spawning-season ban on catching, selling, importing and re-exporting Arabian sheri and safi under Ministerial Decision No. 501 of 2015. Ban runs during the breeding period until 30 April.

  • بندGeneral breeding-season closure (federal)

    Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 bans fishing during breeding seasons; specific dates are set annually by MOCCAE ministerial decisions for individual species. Confirm current dated decisions with MOCCAE before fishing.

د ماهیګیرۍ اجازه

جواز

اوبو کې د اجازه لرلو لپاره هغه چې اړتیا لري، لګښت یې څومره دی، او د ترلاسه کولو لاره.

جواز اړین دید Per-emirate environment authority (e.g. Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi; Dubai Municipality), under MOCCAE federal framework. له لارې

Apply through the relevant emirate authority. In Abu Dhabi, apply via the 'Tamm' government services portal (EAD). In Dubai, via Dubai Municipality. Spearfishing requires a recreational licence for using a speargun.

خپل جواز واخله

رسمي پورټل خلاصوي · mediaoffice.abudhabi

جواز اړین دی
ډول
Recreational fishing licence/permit (issued per emirate); spearfishing requires an additional speargun authorisation. Abu Dhabi issues licences for using a speargun.
لګښت
Dubai: free (one-week permit). Fujairah/Sharjah: ~AED 50. Ajman/Ras Al Khaimah: ~AED 110. Abu Dhabi: ~AED 120 (annual or weekly options).
اعتبار
Weekly or annual depending on emirate and permit type.
د ترلاسه کولو لاره
Apply through the relevant emirate authority. In Abu Dhabi, apply via the 'Tamm' government services portal (EAD). In Dubai, via Dubai Municipality. Spearfishing requires a recreational licence for using a speargun.
اداره
Per-emirate environment authority (e.g. Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi; Dubai Municipality), under MOCCAE federal framework.

وسایل او تخنیک

د وسایلو قوانین

کوم وسایل اجازه لري، د کارونې لاره، او ورسره تړلي شرایط.

نیزه توپکاجازه لري
سکوبامنع دی

محدودیتونه

  • Spearguns permitted only while free-diving (Abu Dhabi: 'while practicing free diving'); no scuba-assisted spearfishing
  • Internationally recognised diving flag must be displayed when spearfishing
  • At least three persons on board the boat: a driver plus two holders of a recreational speargun licence (Abu Dhabi)
  • Spearfishing requires a separate permit/approval beyond a standard recreational fishing licence (notably in Dubai)
  • Nets, trawling and drift nets prohibited without separate approval

Approved recreational gear is line and hooks or spearguns used while free-diving (Hayari), or any other method specified by EAD. Rules differ by emirate; the most detailed published framework is Abu Dhabi's EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023.

هغه چې ممکن واخلئ

د نیولو محدودیتونه او محافظت شوي ډولونه

ورځني کوټې، لږترلږه اندازې، او هغه ډولونه چې هیڅکله نه اخیستل کیږي.

ورځني حد

Abu Dhabi: 24 fish per person and per pleasure boat per day (EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023).

محافظت شوي ډولونه — مه اخله

  • محافظت شویPainted sweetlips
  • محافظت شویYellow grouper
  • محافظت شویRed coral
  • محافظت شویSea horse fish (seahorses)
  • محافظت شویParrotfish
  • محافظت شویSharks (all kinds; CITES/CMS-listed permanently protected)
  • محافظت شویStingrays (all kinds)
  • محافظت شویSea turtles
  • محافظت شویWhales
  • محافظت شویDolphins
  • محافظت شویDugongs
  • محافظت شویCorals

Endangered/protected species must be released. Catching, keeping or selling them is prohibited. Catch may not be sold and may not be kept for ornamental purposes. Seasonal bans additionally restrict sharks (Mar-Jun) and sheri/safi (Mar-Apr).

چا ته اجازه ده

میلمانه او اوسیدونکي

د بهرنیو میلمنو او ځایي اوسیدونکو لپاره د قوانینو توپیر.

بهرني میلمانه

اجازه لري

ځانګړی جواز اړین دی

اړتیاوې

  • Obtain a recreational fishing permit from the relevant emirate authority before fishing
  • Obtain separate spearfishing/speargun authorisation where required
  • Do not bring spearfishing equipment into the UAE without first obtaining authorisation from the relevant emirate authority

محدودیتونه

  • Same protected-species, seasonal, zone and equipment rules as residents apply
  • Note Federal Law No. 23/1999 Art. 31: a UAE fishing boat may not sail without a national (Emirati) captain or owner at the helm - relevant when chartering

Residents and visitors alike can obtain recreational permits. The standard recreational permit is aimed at residents/citizens; tourists typically fish via licensed charter operators that hold the necessary permits. Verify current eligibility with the emirate authority.

اوسیدونکي

Recreational fishing licence (per emirate), plus speargun authorisation for spearfishing.

اړتیاوې

  • Be at least 18 years old to hold a licence (minors may accompany a licensed adult) - Abu Dhabi
  • Apply through the emirate authority (e.g. Tamm portal for Abu Dhabi / EAD)
  • Comply with daily quotas, protected-species bans, closed seasons and reporting obligations

Emirati citizens and UAE residents are the primary holders of recreational permits.

ساحل کې چیرې

اجازه لرونکي او منع سیمې

نومول شوي سیمې چې د ماهیګیرۍ لپاره خلاصې یا بندې دي. متقابله نقشه کې بشپړ انځور وګوره.

اجازه لرونکي سیمې

  • Recreational spearfishing with spearguns while free-diving is permitted in Abu Dhabi waters under EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023, subject to a permit, the diving-flag and three-persons-on-board conditions, the 24-fish daily quota, protected-species bans and post-trip reporting. EAD's 'Hadaq' interactive map defines where fishing is permitted/prohibited.

    Free-diving only (no scuba); permit required; diving flag must be displayed; min. 3 persons on boat (driver + 2 speargun licence holders); 24 fish/day per person and per boat; no selling catch; protected species banned; report catch to EAD.

  • Recreational fishing in Dubai waters requires a free one-week (or longer) permit. A standard recreational licence covers rod and line only; nets, spearfishing, trawling and drift nets require separate approvals. Where permitted, spearfishing uses spearguns while free-diving (Hayari) and follows the diving-flag and three-persons-on-board safety rules.

    Recreational permit required; spearfishing needs separate approval; free-diving spearguns only; diving flag required; closed season approximately June-October in practice.

منع سیمې

  • Marine protected areas and no-fishing zones (EAD Hadaq map)marine reserve / restricted coastal and infrastructure zones

    The UAE uses 'Hadaq', an interactive geographical map that defines protected areas and zones along the coastline where fishing is prohibited. Fishing in marine reserves, near public beaches and near oil and gas extraction structures is restricted or banned.

  • Sir Bu Nair (Sir Abu Nu'ayr), a Sharjah-administered island ~103 km offshore in the Arabian Gulf. It is the UAE's first no-take Marine Protected Area, where fishing has been prohibited since 2000. Ramsar site and IUCN Green List protected area covering ~50.3 km2 (13.3 km2 terrestrial, 36.3 km2 marine). Spearfishing/fishing not permitted.

  • Bu Tinah Island (Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve core)strict nature reserve / no-take core zone

    Bu Tinah is a cluster of small islands and shoals inside the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, protected as a strict nature reserve. Closed to visitors; fishing and the collection of turtle eggs are prohibited and the ban is enforced by patrols. Home to a major dugong population.

  • Marawah Marine Biosphere Reservemarine biosphere reserve

    The UAE's first marine biosphere reserve (UNESCO MAB), ~4,255 km2 in the Al Dhafra region west of Abu Dhabi, stretching over 120 km of coast over ten islands. Seagrass beds, coral reefs and mangroves; managed by EAD. Fishing is only allowed in designated areas and limited to traditional methods (recreational spearfishing not permitted; no-take core zones such as Bu Tinah).

  • Al Yasat Marine Protected Areamarine protected area

    A marine protected area in the Al Dhafra region of western Abu Dhabi comprising small islands (North Yasat, Yasat Island, Ghagha, Muhaimat, Umm Al Hatab) and surrounding shallow waters, ~35 km north of the Abu Dhabi mainland. Rich in coral reefs and rare wildlife; managed by EAD with fishing restrictions.

  • Saadiyat Marine National Parkmarine national park

    A 59 km2 marine national park in the waters adjoining Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, protecting hawksbill turtle nesting habitat and coral. Part of the Sheikh Zayed Protected Areas Network managed by EAD. Fishing status is regulated: some sources (ProtectedSeas/AD Maritime) list fishing as prohibited, others allow catch-and-release with a permit; spearfishing is not permitted.

  • Ras Ghanada Protected Areamarine protected area (coral reef)

    A 55 km2 marine protected area near Ghantoot, northeast of Abu Dhabi city, protecting the largest coral reef in the UAE and Gulf region, turtles, dugongs and sea snakes. Part of EAD's Sheikh Zayed Protected Areas Network; fishing restricted.

  • A ~2,000-hectare Ramsar-listed marine wetland sanctuary in Dubai between the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border and Palm Jebel Ali, with coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds (incl. the Ghantoot Marine Reserve). Critically endangered hawksbill turtle nesting habitat; access restricted, fishing restricted.

  • Bul Syayeef Marine Protected Areamarine protected area (intertidal/mangrove)

    A marine protected area (~145 km2) of intertidal flats, seagrass and mangroves west of the Mussafah channel, ~20 km outside Abu Dhabi city. Ramsar site supporting flamingos, dugongs and turtles; managed by EAD with fishing restrictions.

اوبو کې شرایط

ژوندي شرایط

د United Arab Emirates کې د ساحلي حواله ټکي سره نږدې ژوندي سمندري او هوایي عکس، Open-Meteo نه. شرایط ساحل ته ساحل توپیر لري — د ګوتونکي په توګه وګڼه.

د Sir Bu Nair Island Marine Protected Area سره نږدې ژوندي سمندري او هوایي شرایط.

شرایط

چا نه وپوښتئ

ادارې

د ماهیانو او جواز مسؤل رسمي ادارې.

  • Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE)

    environment ministry / federal fisheries authority

    moccae.gov.aeToll-free 800 3050
  • Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD)

    regional environment / fisheries authority (Abu Dhabi)

    ead.gov.aeToll-free 800 555
  • Dubai Municipality

    regional fisheries / permitting authority (Dubai)

    dm.gov.aeToll-free 800 900

دا چیرې نه راځي

سرچینې

پدې پاڼه هر دعوی یوه دې حوالو نه راځي.

  1. [01]

    Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi issues decision to regulate recreational fishing and fishing competitions in the emirate (EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023)

    رسمي
    mediaoffice.abudhabiلاسرسی شو جون 15
  2. [02]

    Abu Dhabi issues decision to regulate recreational fishing (Zawya / WAM republication of EAD press release)

    دویم درجه
    zawya.comلاسرسی شو جون 15
  3. [03]

    Ministry of Climate Change and Environment announces start of shark fishing season (Ministerial Resolution No. 43 of 2019)

    دویم درجه
    en.aletihad.aeلاسرسی شو جون 15
  4. [04]

    UAE bans shark, safi, sheri fishing from March 1 (Gulf News)

    دویم درجه
    gulfnews.comلاسرسی شو جون 15
  5. [05]

    New fishing law takes effect tomorrow - Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 (Gulf News)

    دویم درجه
    gulfnews.comلاسرسی شو جون 15
  6. [06]

    Regulating fishing practices - The Official Portal of the UAE Government (u.ae)

    رسمي
    u.aeلاسرسی شو جون 15
  7. [07]

    Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 concerning the Exploitation, Protection and Development of Living Aquatic Resources (UAE Legislation portal)

    رسمي
    uaelegislation.gov.aeلاسرسی شو جون 15
  8. [08]

    Fishing License in Dubai - A Complete Guide (Sotheby's Realty UAE)

    دویم درجه
    sothebysrealty.aeلاسرسی شو جون 15
  9. [09]

    Is Spearfishing Legal in UAE? An In-Depth Exploration (Lancaster Scuba)

    community
    lancasterscuba.comلاسرسی شو جون 15

د څیړونکي یادښتونه

Spearfishing in the UAE is legal but governed by a federal+emirate split. Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 (as amended by Federal Law No. 7 of 2016) and MOCCAE set the national baseline (protected species, breeding-season and species-specific closures, penalties); each emirate's authority issues the operational recreational rules. The clearest, most recent published instrument is EAD Decision No. 4 of 2023 for Abu Dhabi, which expressly allows recreational spearfishing with free-diving spearguns under a permit. Dubai requires a (free) recreational permit and separate approval for spearfishing. Verbatim federal-law article text could not be retrieved: the official uaelegislation.gov.ae and u.ae portals were behind Cloudflare/bot protection in this environment, and the EAD recreational-fishing factsheet PDF did not parse; federal-law content here is drawn from a reputable secondary report (Gulf News) and is flagged 'translated' where it paraphrases. Coordinates for specific MPAs were not published in machine-readable form (EAD's 'Hadaq' map is the authoritative source) and are left empty rather than guessed. Confidence is medium: the emirate-level spearfishing rules are well-corroborated by official EAD releases, but exact verbatim federal statute articles and per-MPA coordinates were not directly captured. License costs are indicative figures from secondary guides and should be reconfirmed with each emirate authority.

اوسني پاتې شهژر لاسرسی

خبر مې کړه کله چې د United Arab Emirates قوانین بدل شي

کله چې زموږ د معلوماتو کې د United Arab Emirates موسمونه یا مقررات تازه شي موږ به تاسې ته بریښنالیک واستوو.

خبر مې کړه د

هیڅ سپام نه — یوازې د بدلون خبرتیاوې. هر وخت د ګډون نه بهر شه. موږ ستاسې بریښنالیک هیڅکله نه پلوروو.