SpearfishingMap

Seychelles

Africa · Eastern Africa

Spearfishing is effectively banned in Seychelles. The sale and possession-for-fishing of spear guns has been prohibited since 1972 (Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations 1972), and the current Fisheries Act 2014 (s.32(1)) prohibits using a spear gun for fishing or possessing one in circumstances raising a reasonable inference it is used or intended for fishing in Seychelles. The Seychelles Fishing Authority confirms that 'the use of spearguns, explosives, poisons, and noxious substances is prohibited across all fisheries in Seychelles, including the recreational fishery.' The prohibition applies to residents and foreigners alike. Use for approved scientific research may be authorised under regulation/permit.

Prohibited
Confiança dos dadosConfiança elevada

Última atualização junho 15, 2026

Enquadramento legal

  • §Fisheries Act, 2014 (Act No. 20 of 2014) - section 32
  • §Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations, 1972
  • §Fisheries (Amendment) Ordinance, 1971 (defines 'spear-gun', s.2A)
  • §Fisheries Regulations, 1987
Licença obrigatória
Não obrigatória
Arpão
Proibido
Estrangeiros
Não permitido

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.

01Section 32(1)Seychelles · national

Prohibition against use of spear guns

Fisheries Act, 2014 (Act No. 20 of 2014)

ENOriginal

32.(1) Subject to the regulations, a person shall not use any spear gun for fishing or be in possession of a spear gun in circumstances which raise a reasonable inference that the spear gun has been used or is intended for fishing in Seychelles.

02Article 4Seychelles · national

Sale of spear-guns prohibited

Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations, 1972

ENOriginal

Article 4. - Sale of spear-guns prohibited. - The sale or offering for sale of any spear-gun is hereby prohibited with effect from the 1st day of May, 1972.

03Article 5Seychelles · national

Circumstances in which possession of spear-gun is prohibited

Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations, 1972

ENOriginal

Article 5. - Circumstances in which possession of spear-gun is prohibited. The possession of any spear-gun in circumstances which raise a reasonable presumption that the spear-gun has recently been used, or is intended to be used, for fishing in Seychelles is hereby prohibited.

04Article 6Seychelles · national

Offences and penalties for spear-guns

Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations, 1972

ENOriginal

Article 6. - Offences. - Any person who: (a) on or after the 1st day of May 1972 sells or offers for sale any spear-gun; or (b) is found in possession of any spear-gun in such circumstances as are mentioned in regulation 5, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Rs. 500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

05Article 2Seychelles · national

Application of spear-gun regulations

Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations, 1972

ENOriginal

Article 2. - Application. - These regulations and all the provisions of the Ordinance relating to spear-guns shall apply to the whole Colony, including all the islands listed in the First Schedule to the Outlying Islands (Employment of Servants) Ordinance.

06Recreational fisheries FAQ - fishing gearSeychelles · national

Recreational fishing gear - spearguns prohibited (SFA guidance)

Seychelles Fishing Authority - Types of fisheries and fishing rights in Seychelles (FiTI FAQ)

ENOriginal

The use of spearguns, explosives, poisons, and noxious substances is prohibited across all fisheries in Seychelles, including the recreational fishery. The Fisheries Act also bans the use of unauthorised fish aggregating devices. As [large] net fishing is a licensable activity, the use of large nets is not allowed as part of recreational fishing. The use of demersal trawl nets is also prohibited under the Fisheries Regulations (1987).

07Recreational fisheries FAQ - licenceSeychelles · national

Recreational fishing licence exemption

Seychelles Fishing Authority - Types of fisheries and fishing rights in Seychelles (FiTI FAQ)

ENOriginal

A licence is not required for recreational fishing. Paragraph 21 of the Fisheries Act exempt a vessel used for recreational fishing in Seychelles waters from the requirement of having a licence or permit unless otherwise prescribed.

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.

Jan
Fev
Mar
Abr
Mai
Jun
Jul
Ago
Set
Out
Nov
Dez
DefesoRestritoAberto
  • AbertoRecreational fishing (general)Jan 1 – Dez 31

    Per the SFA, there are currently no seasonal restrictions on recreational fishing; it may be conducted year-round. Note: spearfishing itself remains prohibited year-round regardless of season.

    sfa.sc
  • DefesoKordonnyen (rabbitfish) spawning sites - fish trapsSet 1 – Abr 30

    Under the Fisheries (Mahe Plateau Trap and Line Fishery) Regulations 2021, leaving fish traps overnight on Kordonnyen (rabbitfish) spawning sites is banned during the spawning season (September to April inclusive); around each full moon in that season trap numbers are further limited. Relates to trap fishing, not spearfishing (which is banned anyway), included for completeness.

    sfa.sc

Autorização para pescar

Licença

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

Sem licença obrigatóriaatravés de Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA)
Sem licença obrigatória
Tipo
No recreational fishing licence required; however spearfishing/speargun use is prohibited entirely
Custo
N/A
Validade
N/A
Como obter
Recreational rod-and-line/hand-line fishing from a vessel under 10 m needs no licence (Fisheries Act s.21). Spearfishing cannot be licensed for recreation; only approved scientific research may be authorised by the Seychelles Fishing Authority.
Autoridade
Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA)
Portal oficial de licenciamento · sfa.sc

Equipamento e técnica

Regras de equipamento

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

ArpãoProibido

Restrições

  • Spear guns prohibited: cannot be used for fishing, possessed for fishing, or sold/offered for sale
  • Explosives, poisons and other noxious substances prohibited for fishing
  • Unauthorised fish aggregating devices (FADs) prohibited
  • Large nets are a licensable activity and not allowed for recreational fishing; demersal trawl nets prohibited (Fisheries Regulations 1987)

Hawaiian sling / pole spear status is not separately addressed in the located sources, but the SFA states spearguns are prohibited across all fisheries and the 1972 Regulations target 'spear-guns' as defined in s.2A of the Fisheries (Amendment) Ordinance 1971. Spearfishing for sport/recreation is not permitted in Seychelles.

O que pode capturar

Limites de captura e espécies protegidas

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

Limite diário

No general daily limit on recreational fishing currently; the Fisheries (Mahe Plateau Trap and Line Fishery) Regulations 2021 set, for recreational fishers, 5 Bourzwa (Emperor red snapper, Lutjanus sebae) per day, 5 Zob gris (Green jobfish, Aprion virescens) per day, and a maximum of 20 demersal fish per fisher per day.

Tamanhos mínimos

  • Bourzwa (Emperor red snapper, Lutjanus sebae)mín 32 cm
  • Zob gris (Green jobfish, Aprion virescens)mín 32 cm

Espécies protegidas — não capturar

  • ProtegidaGreen turtle (Chelonia mydas) - protected (Fisheries Regulations 1987, reg.12)
  • ProtegidaHawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) - protected (Fisheries Regulations 1987, reg.13)
  • ProtegidaTriton conch (Charonia tritonis) - collection prohibited (Fisheries Regulations 1987, reg.11)
  • ProtegidaMarine mammals - taking prohibited (Fisheries Act 2014, s.32)
  • ProtegidaSharks - fishing for sharks using nets prohibited (Fisheries Regulations 1987, reg.16C)

Minimum fork length of 32 cm (tip of jaw/snout to centre of tail fork) applies to Bourzwa and Zob gris under the Mahe Plateau Trap and Line Fishery Regulations. Limits apply to permitted gear (line/trap) - spearfishing is not a permitted method.

Quem pode pescar

Visitantes e residentes

Como as regras diferem para visitantes estrangeiros e residentes locais.

Visitantes estrangeiros

Não permitido

Restrições

  • Spearfishing/speargun use is prohibited for everyone in Seychelles waters, including tourists and foreign visitors
  • Possession of a spear gun in circumstances raising a reasonable inference of intended fishing use is an offence

Tourists may fish recreationally by rod/hand-line (often via licensed charter/sport-fishing operators) but may not spearfish. The speargun prohibition draws no distinction between residents and foreigners.

Residentes

No licence required for recreational (non-spear) fishing

Residents are subject to the same speargun prohibition as foreigners. Traditional artisanal fishers are also barred from using spearguns across all fisheries.

Onde na costa

Zonas permitidas e proibidas

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

Áreas proibidas

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 Seychelles, da Open-Meteo. As condições variam ao longo da costa — encare como indicativo.

Condições marinhas e meteorológicas em tempo real perto de Sainte Anne Marine National Park.

Condições

A quem perguntar

Autoridades

Os organismos oficiais responsáveis pelas pescas e pelo licenciamento.

  • Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA)

    fisheries authority

    sfa.scP.O. Box 449, Fishing Port, Mahe, Seychelles

  • Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA)

    protected areas authority

    spga.gov.scManages marine national parks (e.g. Sainte Anne) where fishing is forbidden

De onde vem isto

Fontes

Cada afirmação nesta página remete para uma destas referências.

  1. [01]

    Fisheries Act, 2014 (Act No. 20 of 2014) - full text PDF (FAO FAOLEX)

    Oficial
    faolex.fao.orgConsultado em Jun 15
  2. [02]

    Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations, 1972 - full text PDF (FAO FAOLEX)

    Oficial
    faolex.fao.orgConsultado em Jun 15
  3. [03]

    Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations, 1972 - ECOLEX record

    Oficial
    ecolex.orgConsultado em Jun 15
  4. [04]

    Fisheries Act (No. 20 of 2014) - ECOLEX record

    Oficial
    ecolex.orgConsultado em Jun 15
  5. [05]

    Seychelles Fishing Authority - Types of fisheries and fishing rights in Seychelles: Recreational fisheries FAQ (FiTI)

    Oficial
    sfa.scConsultado em Jun 15
  6. [06]

    Sainte Anne Marine National Park - Wikipedia

    Secundária
    en.wikipedia.orgConsultado em Jun 15
  7. [07]

    National Parks of Seychelles (marine national parks overview) - GVI

    Secundária
    gviusa.comConsultado em Jun 15

Notas do investigador

Spearfishing is not permitted in Seychelles. Two distinct legal layers ban it: (1) the Fisheries (Spear-guns) Regulations 1972 prohibit selling spear-guns and possessing them in circumstances inferring fishing use (max penalty Rs.500 fine and/or 3 months imprisonment under the 1972 text); and (2) section 32(1) of the Fisheries Act 2014 prohibits using a spear gun for fishing or possessing one with reasonable inference of fishing use. The Seychelles Fishing Authority's own recreational-fisheries guidance states spearguns are prohibited across all fisheries including the recreational fishery. Recreational line/rod fishing remains legal and licence-free (Fisheries Act s.21). Marine national parks (e.g. Sainte Anne) are no-take zones where fishing of any kind is forbidden. Verbatim law texts were extracted via OCR/pdftotext from the official FAO FAOLEX PDFs of the 1972 Regulations and the 2014 Act; minor OCR artefacts in the 2014 Act PDF were corrected against the consistent wording reported by ECOLEX and the SFA. Confidence is high because the core prohibition is corroborated by the primary legislation and the national fisheries authority. Pole-spear / Hawaiian-sling status is not separately spelled out in located sources but is covered by the general prohibition on spearguns across all fisheries.

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