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.
Última atualização junho 14, 2026
Enquadramento legal
- §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)
- Licença obrigatória
- Obrigatória
- Arpão
- Permitido
- Escafandro
- Proibido
- Estrangeiros
- Bem-vindos
A lei, na íntegra
Textos legais
As disposições legais e regulamentares exatas que regem a pesca submarina aqui, citadas tal como publicadas, com uma ligação a cada fonte oficial.
Prohibited methods of taking fish (spear gun, SCUBA, firearm)
Fisheries Rules, 1937 (made under the Fisheries Ordinance, 1937), consolidated version
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;
Penalty for using a prohibited fishing method
Fisheries Rules, 1937 (consolidated version)
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);
Fishing licence requirement and fee
Fisheries Rules, 1937 (consolidated version)
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.
Areas prohibited for fishing (Haifa and Jaffa harbours, Gulf of Eilat reserve)
Fisheries Rules, 1937 (consolidated version)
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 ...
Prohibition of fishing during the spawning season (Mediterranean and Lake Kinneret) and defined periods
Fisheries Rules, 1937 (consolidated version)
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).
Minimum landing sizes (First Addendum, Regulation 6) - selected Mediterranean species
Fisheries Rules, 1937 (consolidated version), First Addendum
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.
Quando pode mergulhar
Épocas e restrições temporais
Períodos de defeso, abertos e restritos ao longo do ano. Confirme sempre localmente os defesos específicos por espécie.
- DefesoMediterranean Sea (all gear except shore rod and trawl, which is governed separately); spawning seasonMar 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.
- DefesoLake Kinneret (Bethsaida and Ginosar Tower beach areas) - all gear including single rodMar 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.
Autorização para pescar
Licença
O que precisa para estar autorizado na água, quanto custa e como a obter.
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.
Obtenha a sua licençaAbre o portal oficial · gov.il
- Tipo
- 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.
- Custo
- 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.
- Validade
- Personal and individual; valid until the end of the calendar year (31 December) of issue.
- Como obter
- 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.
- Autoridade
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development - Fisheries Division (Chief Fisheries Officer)
Equipamento e técnica
Regras de equipamento
Que equipamento é permitido, como pode ser usado e as condições associadas.
Restrições
- 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.
O que pode capturar
Limites de captura e espécies protegidas
Quotas diárias, tamanhos mínimos e espécies que nunca podem ser capturadas.
Limite diário
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.
Tamanhos mínimos
- Dusky Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus)mín 40 cm
- Goldblotch Grouper (Epinephelus costae)mín 40 cm
- White Grouper (Epinephelus aeneus)mín 40 cm
- Wreckfish (Polyprion americanus)mín 30 cm
- Flathead Grey Mullet (Mugil cephalus)mín 20 cm
- Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata)mín 15 cm
- White Seabream (Diplodus sargus)mín 11 cm
- Common Pandora (Pagellus erythrinus)mín 11 cm
- European Barracuda (Sphyraena sphyraena)mín 20 cm
- Meagre (Argyrosomus regius)mín 40 cm
- Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus)mín 70 cm
- Narrow Barred Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson)mín 30 cm
Espécies protegidas — não capturar
- ProtegidaAll marine mammals, sea turtles and elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are protected under Israeli wildlife/nature-protection law and may not be taken.
- ProtegidaSpecies 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.
Quem pode pescar
Visitantes e residentes
Como as regras diferem para visitantes estrangeiros e residentes locais.
Visitantes estrangeiros
PermitidoLicença especial obrigatória
Requisitos
- 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.
Restrições
- 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.
Residentes
Personal annual sport fishing license (rishayon dayig sport) issued by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries Division.
Requisitos
- 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.
Benefícios
- 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.
Onde na costa
Zonas permitidas e proibidas
Áreas designadas abertas ou fechadas à pesca submarina. Veja o panorama completo no mapa interativo.
Áreas permitidas
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.
Áreas proibidas
- 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.
- Haifa harbour (within breakwaters)harbour exclusion zone
Regulation 8(1)(a): no taking of fish in the water enclosed by the main and side breakwaters in Haifa, or above these breakwaters.
- Jaffa sea wall and adjacent rock cliffsharbour exclusion zone
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.
- Rosh Hanikra-Achziv Marine Nature Reservemarine nature reserve
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.
- Yam Dor-HaBonim (Dor-Habonim) Marine Nature Reservemarine nature reserve
Mediterranean marine nature reserve on the Carmel coast where fishing is restricted/prohibited; managed by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
- Hof Gador (Yam Gador) Marine Nature Reservemarine nature reserve
Mediterranean marine nature reserve south of Haifa where fishing is restricted/prohibited; managed by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
- Coral Beach Nature Reserve (Eilat)marine nature reserve
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.)
Condições na água
Condições em tempo real
Instantâneo marinho e meteorológico em tempo real perto de um ponto de referência costeiro em Israel, da Open-Meteo. As condições variam ao longo da costa — encare como indicativo.
Condições marinhas e meteorológicas em tempo real perto de Gulf of Eilat (Red Sea).
A quem perguntar
Autoridades
Os organismos oficiais responsáveis pelas pescas e pelo licenciamento.
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development - Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (Chief Fisheries Officer)
fisheries authority
gov.ilFisheries Division offices: Beit Dagan, Haifa, TiberiasIsrael Nature and Parks Authority (INPA / Rashut Hateva VeHaganim)
protected areas / marine reserves authority
en.parks.org.ilMarine enforcement unit (marine rangers)
De onde vem isto
Fontes
Cada afirmação nesta página remete para uma destas referências.
- [01]
Fisheries Ordinance 1937 - Complete and Up to Date Version (consolidated Fisheries Ordinance and Rules, English), Israel Ministry of Agriculture (gov.il)
Oficialgov.ilConsultado em Jun 14 - [02]
FISHERIES RULES, 1937 - FAOLEX (FAO) full English text
Oficialfaolex.fao.orgConsultado em Jun 14 - [03]
Fisheries Ordinance - UNEP Law and Environment Assistance Platform (LEAP)
Oficialleap.unep.orgConsultado em Jun 14 - [04]
Fishing Smart - Protecting the Sea, Israel Nature and Parks Authority
Oficialen.parks.org.ilConsultado em Jun 14 - [05]
Tackling illegal fishing, new marine ranger force finds its sea legs - The Times of Israel
Secundáriatimesofisrael.comConsultado em Jun 14 - [06]
Israel's Rosh Hanikra-Achziv Marine Reserve Opens to Visitors - DivePhotoGuide
Secundáriadivephotoguide.comConsultado em Jun 14 - [07]
Fishing in Israel 2026 - Fishing World Guide (license, bag limits, freedive vs scuba spearfishing)
Secundáriafishingworldguide.comConsultado em Jun 14
Notas do investigador
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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