Panama
Americas · Central America
Recreational spearfishing (pesca submarina) is legal in Panama as a form of sport fishing (pesca deportiva). Law 204 of 2021 explicitly defines sport fishing as an activity that may be carried out by breath-hold diving ('inmersion por apnea') and expressly recognizes underwater (spearfishing) tournaments ('torneo de pesca... submarina'). A sport-fishing licence/authorization issued by the Autoridad de los Recursos Acuaticos de Panama (ARAP) is required, catches may not be sold, and activity is restricted in marine protected areas such as Coiba National Park (no-take zones). Since Executive Decree No. 10 of 10 June 2026, billfish (marlins and spearfish/sailfish group) may only be taken under sport/tourist sport fishing or authorized scientific research, on a catch-and-release basis, and not commercialized. Spearfishing is breath-hold only under the sport-fishing definition; scuba-assisted underwater fishing is not contemplated as recreational sport fishing under the law.
Përditësuar së fundit Qershor 15, 2026
Kuadri qeverisës
- §Ley 204 de 18 de marzo de 2021 (Que regula la pesca y la acuicultura en la Republica de Panama y dicta otras disposiciones)
- §Decreto Ejecutivo No. 13 de 2023 (Reglamenta la Ley 204 de 2021)
- §Decreto Ejecutivo No. 10 de 10 de junio de 2026 (Proteccion de peces pico/picudos - marlin y pez vela, captura limitada a pesca deportiva)
- Kërkohet licencë
- Kërkohet
- Pushka nënujore
- Lejuar
- Skuba
- Ndaluar
- Të huajt
- Mirësevini
Ligji, verbatim
Tekstet ligjore
Dispozitat saktësisht statutore dhe rregullatore që qeverisin peshkimin nënujor këtu, të cituara siç janë publikuar, me një lidhje me secilin burim zyrtar.
Definition of sport fishing (includes breath-hold diving)
Ley 204 de 18 de marzo de 2021
28. Pesca deportiva. Actividad de pesca autorizada por la Autoridad en aguas continentales o aguas bajo soberania o jurisdiccion de la Republica de Panama, que realizan personas naturales o juridicas, nacionales o extranjeras, con proposito de deporte, esparcimiento, recreo, turismo o pasatiempo, pero no para la venta del pescado. La misma se realiza con un aparejo de pesca personal, con o sin buque, o a traves de inmersion por apnea.
Definition of sport fishing tournament (includes underwater/spearfishing)
Ley 204 de 18 de marzo de 2021
48. Torneo de pesca deportivo. Actividad de competencia deportiva sea de pesca de cana o submarina. Es organizado por personas naturales o juridicas. Los torneos tienen protocolos y reglamentos que se rigen por normas nacionales o internacionales.
Sport fishing - general definition and prohibition on commercialization
Ley 204 de 18 de marzo de 2021
Articulo 65. Para efectos de la presente Ley, se considera pesca deportiva la realizada por personas naturales, nacionales o extranjeras, con proposito de deporte, esparcimiento, recreo, turismo o pasatiempo. Esta se realizara con un aparejo de pesca personal, con o sin buque, o a traves de inmersion por apnea. Las capturas no podran ser comercializadas.
Licence requirement and regulatory powers for sport fishing
Ley 204 de 18 de marzo de 2021
Articulo 66. Solo se podran realizar actividades de pesca deportiva en aguas continentales o aguas bajo soberania o jurisdiccion de la Republica de Panama y se debera portar una licencia otorgada por la Autoridad. La Autoridad, sin perjuicio de las competencias que puedan ejercer otras instituciones nacionales, reglamentara la pesca deportiva, incluyendo la licencia que la autorice, la determinacion de las caracteristicas del buque, las especies, artes o aparejos de pesca, temporada de pesca, zona donde se realizara la actividad, limites de captura y otros aspectos que disponga la Autoridad, asi como los canones correspondientes.
Billfish (peces pico/picudos) to be regulated by the Authority
Ley 204 de 18 de marzo de 2021
Articulo 69. La pesca de los denominados peces pico o picudos en aguas bajo jurisdiccion de la Republica de Panama sera reglamentada por la Autoridad.
Operators and persons engaged in sport fishing must hold a licence
Ley 204 de 18 de marzo de 2021
Articulo 70. Los buques, personas naturales y juridicas, asi como operadores turisticos que se dediquen a la pesca deportiva, deberan contar con una licencia emitida por la Autoridad.
Kur mund të zhyteni
Sezoni & kufizimet kohore
Periudhat e mbyllura, të hapura dhe të kufizuara gjatë vitit. Gjithmonë konfirmoni mbylljen specifike të llojeve lokalisht.
- I kufizuarBillfish / peces pico (Makaira nigricans, Kajikia albida, Istiompax indica, Kajikia audax, Tetrapturus angustirostris) and sailfishQer 10
Since Executive Decree No. 10 of 10 June 2026, capture of billfish/marlins is limited to sport fishing, tourist sport fishing and authorized scientific research, on a catch-and-release basis; commercialization, retention, possession, transport and commercial/artisanal use for sale are prohibited. Applies year-round (no fixed end date).
Leja për të peshkuar
Licenca
Çfarë ju nevojitet për të qenë i lejuar në ujë, çfarë kushton dhe si ta merrni.
Apply to the Autoridad de los Recursos Acuaticos de Panama (ARAP); operators, vessels and captains must additionally register and be authorized. Guided/charter operators typically arrange the required authorizations.
Merr licencën tuajHap portalin zyrtar · arap.gob.pa
- Lloji
- Sport-fishing licence / authorization (licencia de pesca deportiva); spearfishing falls under pesca deportiva. A 'carne' (ID card) is required for persons who practice sport fishing (age 12+) per ARAP rules.
- Kostoja
- unknown
- Vlefshmëria
- unknown
- Si të merret
- Apply to the Autoridad de los Recursos Acuaticos de Panama (ARAP); operators, vessels and captains must additionally register and be authorized. Guided/charter operators typically arrange the required authorizations.
- Autoriteti
- Autoridad de los Recursos Acuaticos de Panama (ARAP)
Pajisjet & teknika
Rregullat e pajisjeve
Çfarë pajisje lejohet, si mund të përdoren dhe kushtet e bashkangjitura.
Kufizimet
- Sport fishing (including spearfishing) is defined as carried out by breath-hold diving ('inmersion por apnea'); scuba-assisted spearfishing is not contemplated as recreational sport fishing under Ley 204.
- Catch from sport fishing/spearfishing may not be commercialized (Ley 204, Art. 65).
- Fishing gear/'artes o aparejos', species, seasons, zones and catch limits are to be regulated by ARAP (Ley 204, Art. 66).
Ley 204 explicitly recognizes underwater (spearfishing) tournaments and breath-hold diving as part of sport fishing, which establishes spear/speargun fishing as a lawful method when authorized. Specific gear limits are set by ARAP regulation.
Çfarë mund të merrni
Kufijtë e kapjes & llojet e mbrojtura
Kuotat ditore, madhësitë minimale dhe llojet që nuk duhet marrë kurrë.
Limiti ditor
Set by ARAP regulation per Ley 204 Art. 66 (specific recreational daily limits not retrieved).
Llojet e mbrojtura — mos i merrni
- MbrojturBlue marlin (Makaira nigricans) - catch-and-release sport fishing only (Decreto Ejecutivo 10/2026)
- MbrojturWhite marlin (Kajikia albida) - catch-and-release sport fishing only
- MbrojturBlack marlin (Istiompax indica) - catch-and-release sport fishing only
- MbrojturStriped marlin (Kajikia audax) - catch-and-release sport fishing only
- MbrojturShortbill spearfish (Tetrapturus angustirostris) - catch-and-release sport fishing only
- MbrojturSailfish / pez vela (billfish group) - protected, sport fishing catch-and-release
Billfish/marlins and sailfish (peces pico/picudos) may only be taken under sport/tourist sport fishing or authorized scientific research, with catch-and-release, since Executive Decree No. 10 of 10 June 2026. Commercialization, retention, possession and transport for sale are prohibited. Other species-specific size/bag limits are determined by ARAP regulation and were not retrieved verbatim.
Kush mund të peshkojë
Vizitorët & rezidentët
Si ndryshojnë rregullat për vizitorët e huaj dhe banorët lokalë.
Vizitorët e huaj
LejuarKërkohet licencë e veçantë
Kërkesat
- Foreign nationals may engage in sport fishing/spearfishing (Ley 204, Art. 65 expressly includes 'nacionales o extranjeras').
- A licence/authorization from ARAP is required; persons over 12 must hold the ARAP-issued ID (carne).
- Tourists commonly fish under licensed charter/guide operators who hold the required authorizations.
Kufizimet
- Catch may not be sold/commercialized.
- Must respect marine protected areas (e.g. Coiba no-take zones) and the billfish catch-and-release rules.
Some tourism/charter sources state 'no licence required for tourists', but this conflicts with the primary law (Ley 204, Arts. 66 and 70), which requires a licence for all sport-fishing activity and for operators. In practice the authorization is usually held by the charter/guide operator.
Rezidentët
Licencia/carne de pesca deportiva issued by ARAP
Kërkesat
- ARAP-issued sport-fishing ID (carne) for persons aged 12 and over who practice sport fishing.
- Comply with reporting obligations (participants, captures, releases) where applicable to organized/charter activity.
Same sport-fishing framework applies to nationals and foreigners under Ley 204; spearfishing is treated as sport fishing by breath-hold diving.
Ku në bregdet
Zonat e lejuara & të ndaluara
Zonat e emëruara që janë të hapura ose të mbyllura për peshkimin nënujor. Shikoni pamjen e plotë në hartën interaktive.
Zonat e lejuara
Pacific Chiriqui province waters used for guided spearfishing/freediving trips; activity must respect Coiba marine protected area boundaries and requires a sport-fishing authorization.
Sport-fishing licence/authorization from ARAP; no commercialization of catch; must stay outside Coiba no-take zones.
Offshore Pacific island in Chiriqui used as a base for guided spearfishing/camping trips; lies within the broader marine area but is referenced as a destination for legal guided spearfishing.
Guided trips recommended; subject to Coiba Special Zone of Marine Protection rules and ARAP authorization.
Veraguas/Chiriqui Pacific coast surf and reef area referenced as an accessible guided spearfishing location.
Guided trips recommended; ARAP sport-fishing authorization.
Zonat e ndaluara
- Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection (Parque Nacional Coiba)national park / marine protected area (UNESCO World Heritage no-take zones)
UNESCO World Heritage marine protected area in the Pacific. Establishes no-take zones within 1.8 nautical miles of island coastlines and restricts/prohibits fishing, shell and coral collection across much of the park. Recreational spearfishing is restricted or prohibited inside no-take zones; fishing is regulated by the park management plan.
- Panama Canal watersrestricted navigational/administrative zone
The waters comprising the Panama Canal are expressly excluded from the scope of the fisheries law (Ley 204, Articulo 1) and are not open to fishing/spearfishing under this regime.
- Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park (Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos)national marine park / marine protected area
Panama's first marine national park (created 1988), 13,226 ha (11,598 ha marine) in the Bocas del Toro archipelago on the Caribbean coast, protecting Caribbean mangroves, seagrass and coral reefs. Managed by the national environment authority (MiAmbiente, formerly ANAM); MiAmbiente confirms hunting, fishing and collecting are prohibited inside the park without authorization.
- Cayos Zapatillas (Bastimentos National Marine Park)marine protected area / no-take sub-zone (coral cays)
Two uninhabited coral cays east of Isla Bastimentos within Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park (Zapatillas Cays sector), surrounded by protected coral reefs where extractive fishing/spearfishing is not permitted as part of the park.
- Portobelo National Park (Parque Nacional Portobelo)national park / marine protected area (coral reefs, mangroves)
Coastal national park (established 1976, ~35,929 ha) on the Caribbean coast of Colon Province, encompassing rainforest, mangroves, beaches, seagrass and coral reefs. Managed by the national environment authority; as a protected area its marine waters are regulated and extractive fishing/spearfishing is restricted/requires authorization.
Kushtet mbi ujë
Kushtet e drejtpërdrejta
Pamja e drejtpërdrejtë detare dhe meteorologjike afër një pike reference bregdetare në Panama, nga Open-Meteo. Kushtet ndryshojnë përgjatë bregdetit — trajtojini si treguese.
Kushtet detare & meteorologjike afër Gulf of Chiriqui (Golfo de Chiriqui) - outside protected no-take zones.
Kë të pyesni
Autoritetet
Organet zyrtare përgjegjëse për peshkimin dhe licencimin.
Autoridad de los Recursos Acuaticos de Panama (ARAP)
fisheries authority
arap.gob.paEdificio La Riviera, Avenida Justo Arosemena y Calle 45, Bella Vista, Panama CityMinisterio de Ambiente (MiAmbiente)
environment ministry
miambiente.gob.paManages protected areas including Coiba National Park
Ku vjen kjo
Burimet
Çdo pretendim në këtë faqe gjurmohet deri te njëra nga këto referenca.
- [01]
Ley 204 de 18 de marzo de 2021 - Que regula la pesca y la acuicultura en la Republica de Panama (full text, FAOLEX)
Zyrtarefaolex.fao.orgAksesuar Qer 15 - [02]
Ley No. 204 - ECOLEX record
Zyrtareecolex.orgAksesuar Qer 15 - [03]
Panama protege al marlin y al pez vela al limitar su captura a la pesca deportiva (Decreto Ejecutivo No. 10 de 2026) - Infobae
Dytësoreinfobae.comAksesuar Qer 15 - [04]
Decreto Ejecutivo N 13 que reglamenta la Ley 204 de 2021 - vLex Panama
Zyrtarevlex.com.paAksesuar Qer 15 - [05]
ARAP - Autoridad de los Recursos Acuaticos de Panama (official site, Direccion de Ordenacion)
Zyrtarearap.gob.paAksesuar Qer 15 - [06]
La pesca submarina en Panama con guia - Spearfishing Panama
communityspearfishingpanama.comAksesuar Qer 15 - [07]
Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Zyrtarewhc.unesco.orgAksesuar Qer 15 - [08]
Coiba National Park & its Special Zone of Marine Protection - World Heritage Datasheet (UNEP-WCMC)
Dytësoreworld-heritage-datasheets.unep-wcmc.orgAksesuar Qer 15 - [09]
Pesca Deportiva en Panama: Epocas, Lugares y Especies - PescaYa (seasons and zones)
communitypescaya.comAksesuar Qer 15
Shënime të hulumtuesit
Spearfishing in Panama is lawful as a form of recreational sport fishing (pesca deportiva). The primary instrument, Ley 204 de 2021, defines sport fishing to include breath-hold diving ('inmersion por apnea') and expressly recognizes underwater/spearfishing tournaments, while requiring an ARAP licence/authorization and prohibiting commercialization of catch (Arts. 4(28), 4(48), 65, 66, 70). Verbatim Spanish provisions were extracted from the official FAOLEX PDF (text layer of the Gaceta Oficial No. 29244-A). The detailed implementing regulation (Decreto Ejecutivo No. 13 de 2023) sets specific gear, season, zone and catch-limit rules; its full carne fee/validity details could not be retrieved verbatim from accessible sources, so license cost/validity are marked unknown. Executive Decree No. 10 of 10 June 2026 added strong protection for billfish/marlins and sailfish (catch-and-release sport fishing only), confirmed via a secondary news source (Infobae); the verbatim Gaceta text of Decree 10 could not be fetched (gazette PDF host returned a TLS/cert error). Coiba National Park imposes no-take zones (within 1.8 nm of island coasts) restricting or prohibiting fishing/spearfishing; coordinates are approximate park centroid values. Note a conflict in secondary tourism sources claiming 'no licence required for tourists', which contradicts Ley 204; the primary law was treated as authoritative. Confidence is medium: primary law text is verified verbatim, but the implementing-decree fee/limit specifics and the verbatim text of the 2026 decree were not directly retrieved.
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