SpearfishingMap

Sri Lanka

Asia · Southern Asia

Spearfishing is illegal throughout Sri Lankan waters. Under the Prohibition of Use of Spears in Fishing Operations Regulations No. 1 of 2017 (Gazette Extraordinary No. 2008/31, 3 March 2017), made under Section 61 read with Section 28 of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996, no person may use or possess a spear gun, carry one on board any local fishing boat, or engage in any fishing operation using spear guns or hand-held spears anywhere in Sri Lanka Waters. The ban was introduced on the recommendation of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) to protect reef fish such as humphead (Napoleon) wrasse and groupers. A 2020 proposal to permit tourist spearfishing was rejected after expert opposition. The ban applies to nationals and foreigners alike, with no recreational exemption. A spear gun is a 'prohibited fishing gear' under Section 28; contravention is an offence punishable under Section 49(2) of the Act.

Prohibited
Confiança dos dadosConfiança elevada

Última atualização junho 15, 2026

Enquadramento legal

  • §Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996 (as amended)
  • §Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Amendment) Act, No. 4 of 2004
  • §Prohibition of Use of Spears in Fishing Operations Regulations No. 1 of 2017 (Gazette Extraordinary No. 2008/31, 3 March 2017)
Arpão
Proibido
Estrangeiros
Não permitido
Máximo de arpões
0

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.

01Regulations 1-4Sri Lanka · national

Prohibition of Use of Spears in Fishing Operations Regulations No. 1 of 2017

Gazette Extraordinary No. 2008/31, Regulations made by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development under Section 61 of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996 read with Section 28 of that Act

ENOriginal

1. These regulations may be cited as Prohibition of Use of Spears in Fishing Operations Regulations No. 1 of 2017. 2. No person shall use or possess, or have on board any local fishing boat, any spear gun. 3. No person shall engage in any fishing operation using spear guns or hand held spears within Sri Lanka Waters. 4. In these Regulations - "Spear gun" means a gun used to catch fish by shooting with pointed spike ; "Sri Lanka Waters" shall have the same meaning as in the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996.

02Section 28Sri Lanka · national

Prohibited fishing gear or method (statutory basis for the spear ban)

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996 (Consolidated 2024)

ENOriginal

28. No person shall use or possess, or have on board any local fishing boat, any prohibited fishing gear or engage in any prohibited fishing method in any area of Sri Lanka Waters or the High Seas.

03Section 49(2)Sri Lanka · national

Penalty for contravening Section 28 (prohibited fishing gear)

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996 (Consolidated 2024), Part IX Offences and Penalties

ENOriginal

(2) Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with the provisions of sections 6, 28, 34 or 35 of this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction after summary trial before a Magistrate, be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty five thousand rupees.

04Section 6(1)Sri Lanka · national

Licensing of fishing operations in Sri Lanka Waters

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996 (Consolidated 2024)

ENOriginal

6. (1) No person shall engage in, or cause any other person to engage in, any prescribed fishing operation in Sri Lanka Waters except under the authority, and otherwise than in accordance with the terms and conditions, of a licence issued by the Director.

05Section 37Sri Lanka · national

Acts prohibited in fisheries reserves

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996 (Consolidated 2024)

ENOriginal

37. No person shall, except upon a permit obtained from the Director or any person authorized by the Director in that behalf in the prescribed form and on payment of the prescribed fee,- (a) engage in any fishing operation in such reserve; (b) mine, collect or otherwise gather or process coral, or any other aquatic resources, dredge, or extract sand or gravel, discharge or deposit waste or any other polluting matter or in any other way disturb, interfere with or destroy, fish or other aquatic resources or their natural breeding grounds or habitat in such reserve ; or (c) construct or erect any building or other structure on or over any land or waters within such reserve.

06Section 61(1)(j)Sri Lanka · national

Power of the Minister to make regulations (basis for the 2017 spear ban)

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996 (Consolidated 2024)

ENOriginal

61. (1) The Minister may make regulations for and in respect of all or any of the following matters:- ... (j) the prohibition of the use of any specified equipment, device, method or substance for the purpose of, or in connection with, the taking of fish and other aquatic resources, and the regulation of the time and the manner of the taking of fish and other aquatic resources ;

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.

Sem defesos sazonais registados — confirme localmente antes de mergulhar.

Autorização para pescar

Licença

O que precisa para estar autorizado na água, quanto custa e como a obter.

Licença: desconhecida — confirme localmenteatravés de Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

No spearfishing licence exists. Spear guns are prohibited fishing gear under Section 28 of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and no licence may authorise their use. General fishing operations otherwise require a licence from the Director / Licensing Officer under Section 6 of the Act.

Obtenha a sua licença

Abre o portal oficial · fisheriesdept.gov.lk

Tipo
Not applicable - spearfishing is prohibited and cannot be licensed
Como obter
No spearfishing licence exists. Spear guns are prohibited fishing gear under Section 28 of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and no licence may authorise their use. General fishing operations otherwise require a licence from the Director / Licensing Officer under Section 6 of the Act.
Autoridade
Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Portal oficial de licenciamento · fisheriesdept.gov.lk

Equipamento e técnica

Regras de equipamento

Que equipamento é permitido, como pode ser usado e as condições associadas.

ArpãoProibido
Máximo de arpões0

Restrições

  • Spear guns are prohibited: no person may use, possess, or have a spear gun on board any local fishing boat (Reg. 2 of 2017).
  • Hand-held spears are prohibited for fishing: no person may engage in any fishing operation using spear guns or hand-held spears within Sri Lanka Waters (Reg. 3 of 2017).
  • A 'spear gun' is legally defined as 'a gun used to catch fish by shooting with pointed spike'.
  • Spear guns are classed as 'prohibited fishing gear' under Section 28 of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996.
  • Bottom trawl nets are separately prohibited under Section 28A (Act No. 11 of 2017).

All forms of spear-based fishing are banned nationwide. The ban covers both spear guns and hand-held spears.

O que pode capturar

Limites de captura e espécies protegidas

Quotas diárias, tamanhos mínimos e espécies que nunca podem ser capturadas.

Limite diário

Not applicable - spearfishing is prohibited

Espécies protegidas — não capturar

  • ProtegidaHumphead / Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) - a key species the spearfishing ban was intended to protect
  • ProtegidaGroupers (including Thambuwa, Cephalopholis sonnerati, separately protected by 2017 regulation)

The spearfishing ban was driven by concern for reef fish, especially humphead (Napoleon) wrasse and groupers, on the recommendation of NARA. A separate 2017 regulation prohibits catching the grouper species Thambuwa (Cephalopholis sonnerati).

Quem pode pescar

Visitantes e residentes

Como as regras diferem para visitantes estrangeiros e residentes locais.

Visitantes estrangeiros

Não permitido

Restrições

  • The 2017 spearfishing ban applies to all persons in Sri Lanka Waters; there is no tourist or foreigner exemption.
  • A 2020 proposal to allow tourists to spearfish was rejected following expert opposition, so the total ban remains in force.

Foreign visitors and dive tourists are equally bound by the ban. Spearfishing in Sri Lankan waters is a chargeable offence regardless of nationality.

Residentes

Not applicable - spearfishing prohibited for all

The ban applies uniformly to residents and nationals; no resident category may spearfish.

Onde na costa

Zonas permitidas e proibidas

Áreas designadas abertas ou fechadas à pesca submarina. Veja o panorama completo no mapa interativo.

Áreas proibidas

  • All Sri Lanka Watersnational waters - statutory spearfishing ban

    Spearfishing (use or possession of spear guns, and fishing with spear guns or hand-held spears) is prohibited throughout Sri Lanka Waters under the Prohibition of Use of Spears in Fishing Operations Regulations No. 1 of 2017. There is no zone where spearfishing is permitted.

    files.fisheriesdept.gov.lk
  • Hikkaduwa National Park (Marine)marine national park

    Marine national park on the southwest coast (Southern Province), progressed from sanctuary (1979) to national park (2002). Coral reef of ~44.5 ha. Managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation; fishing/resource extraction prohibited without a permit. All spearfishing additionally banned nationwide.

    en.wikipedia.org
  • Pigeon Island National Parkmarine national park

    Marine national park ~1 km off Nilaveli, Trincomalee district (Eastern Province), area ~471.4 ha including surrounding coral reefs (added 2003). Managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation; fishing/extraction prohibited. All spearfishing additionally banned nationwide.

    en.wikipedia.org
  • Bar Reef Marine Sanctuarymarine sanctuary

    Largest coral reef system in Sri Lanka, off Kalpitiya, North Western Province; established 1992, area ~306.7 km2. Managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation as a marine sanctuary. All spearfishing banned nationwide.

    en.wikipedia.org
Ver no mapa

Condições na água

Condições em tempo real

Instantâneo marinho e meteorológico em tempo real perto de um ponto de referência costeiro em Sri Lanka, da Open-Meteo. As condições variam ao longo da costa — encare como indicativo.

Condições marinhas e meteorológicas em tempo real perto de Hikkaduwa National Park (Marine).

Condições

A quem perguntar

Autoridades

Os organismos oficiais responsáveis pelas pescas e pelo licenciamento.

  • Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR)

    fisheries authority

    fisheriesdept.gov.lkMinistry of Fisheries, Maligawatte Secretariat, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka

  • Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development

    fisheries ministry

    fisheriesdept.gov.lkIssuing authority of the 2017 spearfishing prohibition regulations

  • National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA)

    marine research agency

    nara.ac.lkCrow Island, Mattakkuliya, Colombo 15, Sri Lanka

  • Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC)

    wildlife / protected areas authority

    dwc.gov.lkManages marine national parks and sanctuaries (Hikkaduwa, Pigeon Island, Bar Reef)

De onde vem isto

Fontes

Cada afirmação nesta página remete para uma destas referências.

  1. [01]

    Prohibition of Use of Spears in Fishing Operations Regulations No. 1 of 2017 - Gazette Extraordinary No. 2008/31 (official PDF)

    Oficial
    files.fisheriesdept.gov.lkConsultado em Jun 15
  2. [02]

    Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources - Regulations list (confirms gazette no. and date)

    Oficial
    fisheriesdept.gov.lkConsultado em Jun 15
  3. [03]

    Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996 - Consolidated 2024 (full statutory text: ss. 6, 28, 28A, 37, 49, 61)

    Secundária
    lankalaw.netConsultado em Jun 15
  4. [04]

    Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Amendment) Act, No. 4 of 2004 (penalties, ss. 27/49)

    Oficial
    fisheriesdept.gov.lkConsultado em Jun 15
  5. [05]

    ECOLEX - Prohibition of Use of Spears in Fishing Operations Regulations No. 1 of 2017 (record: gazette 2008/31, 3 March 2017, parent Act)

    Oficial
    ecolex.orgConsultado em Jun 15
  6. [06]

    Roar Media - Spearfishing Is Illegal In Sri Lanka (background, NARA recommendation, definitions)

    Secundária
    archive.roar.mediaConsultado em Jun 15
  7. [07]

    Window to Nature - Red light for spearfishing (2017 ban context)

    Secundária
    window2nature.wordpress.comConsultado em Jun 15
  8. [08]

    UNEP Law and Environment Assistance Platform - Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act 1996, No. 2 of 1996

    Oficial
    leap.unep.orgConsultado em Jun 15
  9. [09]

    Wikipedia - Hikkaduwa National Park (marine MPA, coordinates)

    Secundária
    en.wikipedia.orgConsultado em Jun 15
  10. [10]

    Wikipedia - Pigeon Island National Park (marine MPA, coordinates)

    Secundária
    en.wikipedia.orgConsultado em Jun 15
  11. [11]

    Wikipedia - Bar Reef (marine sanctuary, coordinates)

    Secundária
    en.wikipedia.orgConsultado em Jun 15

Notas do investigador

Spearfishing is comprehensively illegal in Sri Lanka. Primary source is the official Gazette Extraordinary No. 2008/31 (3 March 2017), Prohibition of Use of Spears in Fishing Operations Regulations No. 1 of 2017, retrieved as a text-extractable PDF from the Department of Fisheries; its full verbatim text (Regs. 1-4) is captured above. The regulation was made under s.61 read with s.28 of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, No. 2 of 1996, and signed by Minister Mahinda Amaraweera (27 Feb 2017). Statutory penalty: spear guns are 'prohibited fishing gear' under s.28; contravention is punishable under s.49(2) by a fine not exceeding LKR 25,000 on summary conviction (consolidated Act text captured verbatim). No closed/open seasons apply to spearfishing because it is banned outright. Marine national parks/sanctuaries (Hikkaduwa, Pigeon Island, Bar Reef) carry additional fishing prohibitions under Department of Wildlife Conservation management; their coordinates come from Wikipedia (secondary) and should be treated as approximate. data_confidence is high for the core legal ban (official primary gazette + statutory text); MPA coordinates are medium reliability.

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