Guinea-Bissau
Africa · Western Africa
Guinea-Bissau has no statute that explicitly names recreational spearfishing (pesca submarina / caça submarina). It is governed indirectly by the general fisheries law, Decreto-Lei nº 6 A/2000. That law recognises 'pesca desportiva' (sport/leisure fishing) as a category (Art. 4(5)) and, like all fishing in waters under national sovereignty, it requires a licence except for traditional subsistence fishing. The law bans certain methods - explosives, toxic substances, electric/light-attraction means and suction gear (Art. 26) - and protects marine mammals, sea turtles and seabirds (Art. 27). A breath-hold speargun is not itself a prohibited gear under the verbatim law text retrieved, but secondary fishing-operator sources report that in practice SCUBA-assisted spearfishing is banned and only apnea (breath-hold) spearfishing is tolerated, that a recreational licence is required for boat-based fishing, and that the richest grounds lie inside the Bolama-Bijagos Biosphere Reserve and its marine national parks where extra permits/guides are mandatory and turtle/shark/ray protections apply. Verbatim statutory text confirming a SCUBA/spearfishing-specific rule could not be retrieved, so confidence is low; field rules should be confirmed with the Ministry of Fisheries (Ministério das Pescas) and the protected-area authority (IBAP) before any trip.
Senast uppdaterad juni 14, 2026
Styrande regelverk
- §Decreto-Lei nº 6 A/2000 - Recursos Pesqueiros e Direitos de Pesca nas Águas Marítimas da Guiné-Bissau (General Fisheries Law, 21 Aug 2000)
- §Decreto-Lei nº 9/2011 - Lei Geral das Pescas (General Fisheries Law)
- §Decreto nº 24/2011 - Regulamento da Pesca Artesanal (Artisanal Fishing Regulation, 7 Jun 2011)
- §Decreto-Lei nº 30/2017 - Alteração ao Regulamento da Pesca Artesanal
- §Decreto-Lei nº 2/2022 - Período de Repouso Biológico (Biological Rest Period)
- §Lei nº 13/2013 - Fixação do Espaço Marítimo (Maritime Space Delimitation)
- Licens krävs
- Krävs
- Dyk med tub
- Förbjudet
- Utlänningar
- Välkomna
Lagen, ordagrant
Lagtexter
De exakta författnings- och regleringsbestämmelser som styr harpunfiske här, citerade som de publicerats, med en länk till varje officiell källa.
Types of fishing by purpose (incl. sport/leisure fishing)
Decreto-Lei nº 6 A/2000 sobre Recursos Pesqueiros e Direitos de Pesca nas Águas Marítimas da Guiné-Bissau
1. Em função da sua finalidade, a pesca pode ser de subsistência, comercial, cientifica e desportiva. 2. A pesca de subsistência é a praticada com artes de pesca tradicionais e tem por objecto fundamental a obtenção de espécies comestíveis para a subsistência do pescador e da sua família. 3. A pesca comercial é a praticada com fins lucrativos. 4. A pesca científica tem por objectivo o estudo e o conhecimento dos recursos, bem como o ensaio de navios, materiais e técnicas de pesca. 5. A pesca desportiva é a pesca exercida a título desportivo ou de lazer.
Criteria distinguishing artisanal and industrial fishing
Decreto-Lei nº 6 A/2000
Os critérios de distinção entre a pesca artesanal e a pesca industrial serão estabelecidos por diploma regulamentar. Na determinação destes critérios serão tomadas em consideração as características gerais das embarcações, nomeadamente a sua capacidade e autonomia, e as artes de pesca empregues, bem como os critérios de distinção aplicados nos Estados da sub-região.
Prohibited fishing methods (explosives, toxic substances, electric/light means, suction gear)
Decreto-Lei nº 6 A/2000
É expressamente proibido, no exercício de qualquer actividade de pesca: a) Utilizar lâmpadas, meios eléctricos, materiais explosivos ou substâncias tóxicas susceptíveis de enfraquecer, atordoar, excitar ou matar peixes, bem como a utilização de aparelho de pescas por sucção; c) Deter a bordo das embarcações de pescas materiais ou substâncias mencionadas na alínea precedente.
Protected species (marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds)
Decreto-Lei nº 6 A/2000
1. São proibidas, salvo autorização especial da Comissão Internacional das Pescas para fins de investigação científica ou técnica, sob proposta do membro do governo responsável pela área da pesca: a) A pesca, a captura e a detenção de todas as espécies de mamíferos marinhos; b) A pesca, a captura e a detenção de tartarugas marinha; c) A caça, a captura, a detenção de todas as espécies de aves marinha. 2. É proibida toda a comercialização das espécies visadas nas alíneas do número anterior.
När du får dyka
Säsonger & tidsbegränsningar
Fredningstider, öppna och begränsade perioder över året. Bekräfta alltid artspecifika fredningar lokalt.
- FredningstidIndustrial fishing in waters under Guinea-Bissau jurisdiction (biological rest period). Not confirmed to apply to recreational spearfishing.jan 1 – jan 31
Período de Repouso Biológico established by Decreto-Lei nº 2/2022. The Ministério das Pescas closes industrial fishing activity throughout January each year, the peak fish-reproduction month. Coverage of artisanal/recreational fishing is not explicitly stated in the retrieved official page.
Tillstånd att fiska
Licens
Vad du behöver för att få vara i vattnet, vad det kostar och hur du skaffar det.
Through the Ministério das Pescas / Direcção-Geral da Pesca Artesanal; in practice lodges and licensed operators handle the paperwork for visitors. Extra protected-area permits via IBAP for parks within the Bijagós reserve.
Skaffa din licensÖppnar den officiella portalen · pescas.gw
- Typ
- Recreational/sport fishing licence (pesca desportiva). Required for fishing in national waters except traditional subsistence fishing (Art. 4 & licensing regime, Decreto-Lei nº 6 A/2000). Spearfishing-specific licence is not separately defined in law.
- Kostnad
- Not set in statute. Secondary operator source reports recreational permits arranged via lodges at roughly EUR 45-50, plus park entry fees (~EUR 35/day) for protected areas.
- Giltighet
- unknown
- Hur du skaffar den
- Through the Ministério das Pescas / Direcção-Geral da Pesca Artesanal; in practice lodges and licensed operators handle the paperwork for visitors. Extra protected-area permits via IBAP for parks within the Bijagós reserve.
- Myndighet
- Ministério das Pescas e Economia do Mar (Ministry of Fisheries)
Utrustning & teknik
Utrustningsregler
Vilken utrustning som är tillåten, hur den får användas och vilka villkor som gäller.
Restriktioner
- Explosives and toxic/poisonous substances prohibited (Art. 26(a), Decreto-Lei nº 6 A/2000)
- Electric means and light-attraction lamps prohibited (Art. 26(a))
- Suction fishing apparatus prohibited (Art. 26(a))
- Carrying any of the above prohibited materials aboard a fishing vessel is forbidden (Art. 26(c))
- Secondary source: SCUBA-assisted spearfishing reported banned; only breath-hold (apnea) spearfishing tolerated; monofilament nets reported banned
The verbatim text of Art. 26 retrieved does not name harpoons/spearguns or diving apparatus, so the SCUBA-spearfishing ban and breath-hold-only rule come from a secondary fishing-operator guide (fishingworldguide.com), not from confirmed statute. Treat speargun_allowed as unknown pending official confirmation.
Vad du får ta
Fångstbegränsningar & skyddade arter
Dagliga kvoter, minimimått och arter som aldrig får tas.
Daglig gräns
unknown
Skyddade arter — får inte tas
- SkyddadAll marine mammals (mamíferos marinhos)
- SkyddadAll sea turtles (tartarugas marinhas)
- SkyddadAll seabirds (aves marinhas)
- SkyddadSharks and rays - capture prohibited under Artisanal Fishing Regulation (Decreto nº 24/2011, reported); reputable lodges enforce catch-and-release for sharks, rays and large tarpon (secondary source)
Art. 27 of Decreto-Lei nº 6 A/2000 prohibits the fishing, capture, possession and commercialisation of marine mammals, sea turtles and seabirds except by special scientific/technical authorisation. Recreational fishers are reported to be barred from selling any part of their catch.
Vem som får fiska
Besökare & bofasta
Hur reglerna skiljer sig för utländska besökare och lokalt bofasta.
Utländska besökare
TillåtetSärskild licens krävs
Krav
- Obtain a recreational fishing licence (typically arranged through a licensed lodge/operator)
- Obtain additional protected-area permits and use local guides when fishing inside the Bolama-Bijagós Biosphere Reserve / national parks
Restriktioner
- May not sell any part of the catch (recreational fishing is leisure/sport only)
- Subject to all protected-species and prohibited-method rules; SCUBA-assisted spearfishing reported banned
No distinct statutory regime separating foreign from national recreational fishers was found in the retrieved law; in practice visiting anglers/spearfishers go through lodges that handle permits. Confirm with the Ministry of Fisheries before travelling.
Bofasta
Subsistence fishing with traditional gear for the fisher and family is exempt from licensing (Art. 4(2)); other fishing requires a licence.
Förmåner
- Traditional subsistence fishing (personal/family consumption, traditional gear) does not require a licence
Subsistence exemption is defined by gear and purpose (traditional gear, non-commercial), not by residency or nationality; it would not cover speargun-based recreational spearfishing.
Var på kusten
Tillåtna & förbjudna zoner
Namngivna områden som är öppna för eller stängda för harpunfiske. Se hela bilden på den interaktiva kartan.
Förbjudna områden
- João Vieira and Poilão Marine National Parkmarine national park
Marine national park (Parque Nacional Marinho João Vieira e Poilão), ~495 km2, established August 2000, comprising João Vieira, Cavalo, Maio and Poilão islands. One of the world's most important green sea-turtle nesting sites. Inside the Bolama-Bijagós Biosphere Reserve; access for fishing is restricted and managed by IBAP, with sea turtles and seabirds protected under Art. 27 of Decreto-Lei nº 6 A/2000.
- Orango Islands National Parknational park
Parque Nacional das Ilhas de Orango, ~1,582 km2, created in 2000, including Orango, Orangozinho, Meneque, Canogo and Imbone islands. A marine protected area within the Bolama-Bijagós Biosphere Reserve where fishing access is restricted and additional permits/guides are required.
- Bolama-Bijagós Biosphere Reservebiosphere reserve
UNESCO biosphere reserve (recognised 1996) of 88 islands and islets off the Guinea-Bissau coast, containing the country's marine protected areas (Orango, João Vieira e Poilão, Urok Community MPA). Many of the best fishing grounds lie inside it; extra permits and local-zoning guides are required and protected-species rules apply.
- Urok Islands Community Marine Protected Areacommunity marine protected area
Community-managed marine protected area (Área Marinha Protegida Comunitária das Ilhas Urok) within the Bolama-Bijagós Biosphere Reserve, with community fishing restrictions.
Förhållanden på vattnet
Liveförhållanden
Ögonblicksbild i realtid av marina förhållanden och väder nära en kustreferenspunkt i Guinea-Bissau, från Open-Meteo. Förhållandena varierar längs kusten — betrakta som vägledande.
Marina förhållanden & väder i realtid nära João Vieira and Poilão Marine National Park.
Vem du ska fråga
Myndigheter
De officiella organ som ansvarar för fiske och licensiering.
Ministério das Pescas e Economia do Mar (Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Economy)
fisheries authority
pescas.gwBissau, Guinea-BissauDirecção-Geral da Pesca Artesanal (DGPA)
fisheries authority
Instituto da Biodiversidade e das Áreas Protegidas (IBAP)
environment / protected areas authority
ibapgbissau.orgManages national parks and marine protected areas in the Bijagós
Var detta kommer från
Källor
Varje påstående på denna sida går att spåra tillbaka till en av dessa referenser.
- [01]
LEI DAS PESCAS - Decreto-Lei nº 6 A/2000 (full Portuguese text)
Sekundärdidinho.orgHämtad jun 14 - [02]
Ministério das Pescas - Quadro Legal (official legal framework list)
Officiellpescas.gwHämtad jun 14 - [03]
Ministério das Pescas - Período de Repouso Biológico
Officiellpescas.gwHämtad jun 14 - [04]
The Outlaw Ocean Project - Global Fishing Legislative Database: Guinea-Bissau
Sekundärtheoutlawocean.comHämtad jun 14 - [05]
Fishing in Guinea-Bissau 2026 (fishing-operator guide: spearfishing, licences, parks)
Sekundärfishingworldguide.comHämtad jun 14 - [06]
UNESCO World Heritage - Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago
Officiellwhc.unesco.orgHämtad jun 14 - [07]
Wikipedia - João Vieira and Poilão Marine National Park (coordinates, area, year)
Sekundären.wikipedia.orgHämtad jun 14 - [08]
Bio Guinea - Blue Bijagós (marine protected areas overview)
Sekundärbioguinea.orgHämtad jun 14
Forskaranteckningar
Guinea-Bissau has no spearfishing-specific statute. Legal status is inferred from the general fisheries law (Decreto-Lei nº 6 A/2000), which recognises sport/leisure fishing (Art. 4(5)), requires licensing for non-subsistence fishing, bans explosives/poisons/electric-light/suction methods (Art. 26) and protects marine mammals, turtles and seabirds (Art. 27). VERBATIM statutory text retrieved does NOT mention spearguns, harpoons or SCUBA, so the widely-cited 'SCUBA spearfishing banned, breath-hold only' and 'recreational licence required' rules come from a secondary fishing-operator guide rather than confirmed law - hence data_confidence=low and equipment_rules.speargun_allowed=null. Coordinates for João Vieira/Poilão are park-level approximations from Wikipedia. The richest grounds sit inside the Bolama-Bijagós Biosphere Reserve and its marine national parks (Orango, João Vieira e Poilão, Urok) where extra IBAP permits, guides and protected-species rules apply. The official Ministry law-text PDFs (Decreto-Lei nº 9/2011, Decreto nº 24/2011) on pescas.gw were not parsed in full; full verbatim articles on diving/spearfishing could not be located and may not exist. Confirm all field rules with the Ministério das Pescas and IBAP before any trip. Note: the political situation is volatile (transitional government as of 2026) and regulations may change.
Avisera mig när reglerna för Guinea-Bissau ändras
Vi mejlar dig när säsonger eller bestämmelser för Guinea-Bissau uppdateras i vår datauppsättning.