Bahrain
Asia · Western Asia
Recreational and commercial spearfishing is illegal in Bahrain. Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources defines 'Marine Rifles' as any fishing gear that uses spears or the like, and Article 20(C) expressly prohibits possessing or using Marine Rifles for fishing for marine life on board ships or at/near fishing sites. Violations are penalised under Article 33(B) with imprisonment of up to one month and a fine of 300-1,000 Bahraini dinars (or one of the two), with possible confiscation of equipment under Article 34. There is no recreational spearfishing permit; the law only provides for fishing and diving licences, and general fishing is governed by closed seasons, minimum-size limits and protected-species rules issued by the Supreme Council for the Environment and the Directorate of Fisheries.
Nazadnje posodobljeno Marec 4, 2025
Veljavni pravni okvir
- §Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
- §Decree No. 110 of 2023 naming the competent Ministry and Minister for implementing Decree-Law No. 20 of 2002
- §Ministerial/SCE regulation on minimum catch sizes for marine species (enforced January 2025)
- Licenca obvezna
- Obvezno
- Podvodna puška
- Prepovedano
- Tujci
- Ni dovoljeno
Zakon, dobesedno
Pravna besedila
Natančne zakonske in regulativne določbe, ki urejajo podvodni ribolov tukaj, citirane kot objavljene, z povezavo do vsakega uradnega vira.
Definition of 'Marine Rifles' (spear gear)
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
Marine Rifles: Any fishing gear that uses spears or the like and fires automatically.
Prohibition of Marine Rifles (spearguns) and other prohibited gear
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
It shall be prohibited to have nets, machines, or tools that are unauthorised or prohibited for fishing - as listed - on board a fishing ship. It shall also be prohibited for any person to possess them at or near fishing sites, which are: A) Bottom trawl nets for fishing with any type of fishing ship. B) Drift nets (haul nets). C) Marine Rifles for fishing for marine life. D) Mono-filament synthetic (nylon) nets. E) Nets made of three-layer nylon yarn. F) Shrimp fishing net during the closed season. G) Any nets, machines, or other tools specified by the Competent Directorate.
Ban on mass-extermination fishing methods
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
The use of methods of mass extermination on Marine Resources, using poisons, explosives, chemicals, electric methods, and others, shall be prohibited.
Prohibition of commercial fishing by non-nationals; licence requirement
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
Without prejudice to the special provisions regarding nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council States, non-nationals of the Kingdom of Bahrain shall be prohibited from practising commercial fishing, and it shall not be permitted, without a licence from the Competent Directorate, to practise commercial fishing in fishing waters. The licence shall have a definite period, and the licence of the fishing ships shall specify the specifications of the ship, the fishing methods and equipment used, as well as the number of crew members... The licence shall specify the ship's work locations, the fishing seasons allowed, and the types and quantities of Marine Resources to be harvested in each area and during each season. When engaging in commercial fishing, the presence of a Bahraini captain (Nokhidha) on board the ship shall be required.
Requirements for a fishing or diving licence
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
Third - For the request for a fishing or diving licence, the following shall be required: A - Shall not be less than 18 Gregorian years old. B - Shall prove his suitability to practice fishing or diving. C - Shall not have been previously convicted of a felony or misdemeanour involving a breach of honour or trust, unless he has been rehabilitated.
Protected species and undersized catch
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
It shall not be permitted to fish larvae or juvenile marine organisms whose lengths are less than the authorised size. It shall also not be permitted to fish for sea turtles, dugongs, and other mammals, or to tamper with their habitats and reproduction areas along the shores of the Kingdom or in fishing waters.
Temporary prohibition of fishing for resource protection (closed seasons)
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
It shall be permitted, by virtue of a decision issued by the Minister after coordination with the Relevant Authorities, to temporarily prohibit the fishing of Marine Resources of all kinds for the purpose of protecting these Resources.
Penalties for prohibited gear and methods
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
Whoever violates the provisions of any of Articles (3), (16), (17), (19), (20), (21) Paragraphs (A, B, C, E, F), (24), (25), (27), (29), (30), and the decisions issued in implementation thereof shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding one month, and a fine of no less than three hundred dinars and no more than one thousand dinars, or with one of those two penalties.
Kdaj se lahko potopite
Sezone in časovne omejitve
Zaprta, odprta in omejena obdobja skozi leto. Vedno potrdite zaprtja za posamezne vrste lokalno.
- ZaprtoShrimpunknown – unknown
A closed season applies to shrimp fishing; Article 20(F) of Decree-Law 20/2002 prohibits possessing shrimp fishing nets during the closed season. The Minister sets the specific dates by decision each year.
- ZaprtoAll marine resources (discretionary temporary bans)unknown – unknown
Under Article 16, the competent Minister may temporarily prohibit the fishing of marine resources of all kinds to protect stocks (e.g. spawning/reproduction periods). Specific periods are set by ministerial decision and vary year to year.
Dovoljenje za ribolov
Licenca
Kaj potrebujete za vstop v vodo, koliko stane in kako jo pridobiti.
Apply to the Directorate of Fisheries; applicant must be at least 18, prove suitability to practise fishing or diving, and have no relevant criminal conviction (Article 6).
Pridobite licencoOdpre uradni portal · lloc.gov.bh
- Vrsta
- Fishing or diving licence (no dedicated recreational spearfishing licence exists; spearfishing is prohibited)
- Strošek
- Recreational fishing licences reported at approx. 10-15 BHD/year and professional licences approx. 50-100 BHD (secondary expat source; not officially confirmed). No fee applies to spearfishing because it is illegal.
- Veljavnost
- One year (Article 7 of Decree-Law 20/2002; the Directorate may issue shorter terms)
- Kako pridobiti
- Apply to the Directorate of Fisheries; applicant must be at least 18, prove suitability to practise fishing or diving, and have no relevant criminal conviction (Article 6).
- Pristojni organ
- Directorate of Fisheries (Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture)
Oprema in tehnika
Pravila o opremi
Katera oprema je dovoljena, kako se sme uporabljati in pod katerimi pogoji.
Omejitve
- Marine Rifles (any gear that uses spears or the like and fires automatically) are prohibited for fishing for marine life - Article 20(C)
- Possession of prohibited gear at or near fishing sites is illegal - Article 20
- Bottom trawl nets, drift/haul nets, mono-filament nylon nets, three-layer nylon nets and out-of-season shrimp nets are prohibited - Article 20
- Poisons, explosives, chemicals and electric fishing methods are prohibited - Article 22
- Import or trade of fishing devices/equipment dangerous to marine resources is prohibited - Article 24
Spearguns/spearfishing equipment ('Marine Rifles') are banned by Article 20(C) of Decree-Law 20/2002. Possession alone near fishing sites is an offence. SCUBA is not expressly addressed for spearfishing because spearfishing itself is prohibited.
Kaj smete vzeti
Omejitve ulova in zaščitene vrste
Dnevne kvote, najmanjše mere in vrste, ki jih ne smete nikoli vzeti.
Dnevna omejitev
unknown
Najmanjše mere
- Kingfish (Kanaad)min 45 cm
- Hamour (grouper)min 42 cm
- Andakmin 24 cm
- Shrimpmin 10 cm
- Crabmin 9 cm
Zaščitene vrste — ne jemljite
- ZaščitenoSea turtles
- ZaščitenoDugongs
- ZaščitenoOther marine mammals
- ZaščitenoCoral reefs (removal prohibited)
- ZaščitenoOrnamental fish (catch prohibited)
- ZaščitenoPearls (extraction restricted)
Minimum landing sizes for 18 marine species were enforced from January 2025 by the Supreme Council for the Environment; additional species (Hamam, Faskar, Shaari, Shaam, Rabib, Rabbitfish, Janem) have minimums between 15-22 cm. Article 19 of Decree-Law 20/2002 bans catching undersized organisms and protected species. These limits are listed for completeness; spearfishing as a method is illegal regardless of species or size.
Kdo sme ribariti
Obiskovalci in rezidenti
Kako se pravila razlikujejo za tuje obiskovalce in lokalne rezidente.
Tuji obiskovalci
Ni dovoljenoOmejitve
- Spearfishing is illegal for everyone (residents and foreigners) under Article 20(C) of Decree-Law 20/2002
- Non-nationals are prohibited from practising commercial fishing under Article 3 (without prejudice to GCC nationals)
Foreigners cannot legally spearfish in Bahrain because spearfishing is prohibited nationwide. Non-nationals are additionally barred from commercial fishing under Article 3. Some secondary sources indicate expats may obtain ordinary recreational rod/line fishing permits, but this does not extend to spearfishing.
Rezidenti
Fishing or diving licence (rod/line/net fishing only; spearfishing prohibited for all)
Zahteve
- At least 18 years old
- Prove suitability to practise fishing or diving
- No conviction for a felony/misdemeanour involving breach of honour or trust (unless rehabilitated)
Bahraini nationals may obtain fishing/diving licences and engage in commercial fishing with a Bahraini captain on board, but spearfishing ('Marine Rifles') is prohibited for residents and nationals alike under Article 20(C).
Kje na obali
Dovoljene in prepovedane cone
Poimenovana območja, ki so odprta ali zaprta za podvodni ribolov. Oglejte si celotno sliko na interaktivnem zemljevidu.
Prepovedana območja
- Hawar Islands Protected Areamarine protected area / Ramsar wetland
Bahrain's largest protected area; the island group and surrounding territorial waters are under protection with hunting and fishing prohibited. A Ramsar wetland site and IUCN-listed protected area. Designated as a Marine Protected Area under Bahrain's framework.
- Tubli Baymarine protected area
Designated marine protected area in Bahrain. Marine Protected Areas are defined under Decree-Law 20/2002 as areas in which fishing is prohibited in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Mashtan Islandmarine protected area
Designated marine protected area in Bahrain where fishing is restricted/prohibited under the marine protected area framework.
- Dohat Arad (Duwhat Arad)marine protected area
Designated marine protected area in Bahrain where fishing is restricted/prohibited under the marine protected area framework.
- Fasht Bulthama (Fasht Al Adhm vicinity)marine protected area
Designated marine protected area in Bahrain where fishing is restricted/prohibited under the marine protected area framework.
- Hayr Shtayyah Marine Reservemarine reserve / oyster bed (pearling World Heritage component)
Largest oyster bed in the Arabian Gulf (~274 km2) in Bahrain's northern offshore waters; one of the three protected oyster beds of the 'Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy' UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 2012) and part of Bahrain's Northern Oyster Beds Reserve. Listed among Bahrain's marine protected areas; fishing/extraction restricted under the marine protected area framework.
- Najwat Bul Thamah / Reef Bul Thamah Marine Protected Areamarine protected area / coral reef (whale shark aggregation)
Coral reef and oyster-bed area in Bahrain's northern offshore waters, roughly 80 km north of the mainland (about 80 km from Amwaj Marina). Designated a Marine Protected Area in 2017 and part of the 2012 UNESCO pearling World Heritage component; an annual whale shark (Rhincodon typus) aggregation site (May/September). Highest coral/algae/reef-fish diversity of Bahrain's reef sites. No exact published boundary; representative northern point.
Razmere na vodi
Žive razmere
Živ morski in vremenski posnetek v bližini obalnega referenčnega mesta v Bahrain, iz Open-Meteo. Razmere se vzdolž obale razlikujejo — obravnavajte kot okvirne.
Žive morske in vremenske razmere pri Hawar Islands Protected Area.
Koga vprašati
Pristojni organi
Uradni organi, odgovorni za ribištvo in licenciranje.
Directorate of Fisheries, Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture
fisheries authority
mun.gov.bhunknownSupreme Council for the Environment (SCE)
environment authority
sce.gov.bhunknown
Od kod prihaja
Viri
Vsaka trditev na tej strani je sledljiva do enega od teh referenc.
- [01]
Decree No. (20) of 2002 regarding the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation, and Protection of Marine Resources - official English text (Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission)
Uradnilloc.gov.bhDostopano Jun 14 - [02]
Decree No. (20) of 2002 - Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission portal page
Uradnilloc.gov.bhDostopano Jun 14 - [03]
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the regulation of fishing, exploitation and protection of marine wealth - UNEP LEAP
Uradnileap.unep.orgDostopano Jun 14 - [04]
Ban enforced on catching and selling undersized marine species - The Daily Tribune (minimum sizes, enforcement, penalties)
Sekundarninewsofbahrain.comDostopano Jun 14 - [05]
Bahrain: Enforces New Fishing Licensing Regulations (2025) - Lexis Middle East
Sekundarnilexismiddleeast.comDostopano Jun 14 - [06]
Bahrain Fishing Permit: Application Process and Approved Zones (license costs, zones; states spearfishing is illegal)
Sekundarnijarniascyril.comDostopano Jun 14 - [07]
Hawar Islands - Wikipedia (protected area, fishing prohibited, coordinates)
Sekundarnien.wikipedia.orgDostopano Jun 14 - [08]
Map of marine protected areas in Bahrain (Hawar Islands, Tubli Bay, Mashtan, etc.) - ResearchGate figure
Sekundarniresearchgate.netDostopano Jun 14 - [09]
Saudi Eastern Province & Bahrain Spearfishing & Freediving - DeeperBlue.com Forums (community confirmation spearguns/spearfishing illegal)
communityforums.deeperblue.comDostopano Jun 14
Opombe raziskovalca
Spearfishing is illegal in Bahrain. The governing instrument is Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002, available in official English translation on the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission portal (lloc.gov.bh). Article 1 defines 'Marine Rifles' as gear using spears that fires automatically; Article 20(C) prohibits possessing or using Marine Rifles for fishing, and Article 33(B) sets penalties of up to one month imprisonment and a 300-1,000 BHD fine, with confiscation possible under Article 34. The law provides 'fishing or diving' licences for permitted gear (rod/line/traditional nets) but not for spearfishing. Closed seasons (e.g. shrimp under Art. 20(F)) and discretionary temporary bans (Art. 16) exist but exact dates are set annually by ministerial decision and were not retrievable as fixed calendar dates. Minimum catch sizes (enforced Jan 2025 by the Supreme Council for the Environment) and protected species (turtles, dugongs, ornamental fish, coral) are documented. Recreational fishing licence costs are from a secondary expat guide and are not officially confirmed. Confidence is HIGH for the spearfishing prohibition and core legal text (verbatim from the official portal); MEDIUM for licence fees and the full list/exact boundaries of marine protected areas.
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