Antigua and Barbuda
Americas · Caribbean
Spearfishing is heavily restricted. A spear gun may not be used for fishing in Antigua and Barbuda waters without prior written permission (a permit) from the Chief Fisheries Officer, and its use is prohibited entirely in designated conservation/marine reserve areas. In practice the Fisheries Division issues spearfishing permits only to nationals (citizens/local fishers), so visiting tourists and other non-citizens are not permitted to spearfish; pole-spearing of invasive lionfish is generally tolerated. Spearing of lobster is explicitly prohibited (lobster may only be taken by hand, loop, pot or trap, and speared/impaled lobster may not be possessed or sold). Collection of conch and lobster using scuba/hookah is restricted. Marine reserves declared under the Fisheries Act and restricted areas under the Marine Areas (Preservation and Enhancement) Act ban fishing without permission. The governing instruments are the Fisheries Act 2006 (No. 22 of 2006), the Fisheries Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 2 of 2013, which replaced the Fisheries Regulations S.I. 10/1990 under Cap. 173) and the Marine Areas (Preservation and Enhancement) Act (Cap. 259).
Останнє оновлення Червень 14, 2026
Правова база
- §Fisheries Act, 2006 (No. 22 of 2006)
- §Fisheries Regulations, 2013 (S.I. No. 2 of 2013) — current; replaced the Fisheries Regulations under the former Fisheries Act, Cap. 173 (S.I. 10/1990, S.I. 23/1991)
- §Barbuda (Fisheries) Regulations, 2014 (S.I. No. 33 of 2014)
- §Marine Areas (Preservation and Enhancement) Act (Cap. 259)
- §Fisheries (Restriction on Methods of Fresh-Water Fishing) Regulations, 1978 (S.R.O. 4/1978)
- Потрібна ліцензія
- Потрібна
- Підводна рушниця
- Дозволено
- Акваланг
- Заборонено
- Іноземці
- Не допускаються
Закон дослівно
Тексти законів
Точні законодавчі та нормативні положення, що регулюють підводне полювання тут, процитовані так, як опубліковані, із посиланням на кожне офіційне джерело.
Restriction on use of spear gun
Fisheries Regulations (Cap. 173), S.I. 10/1990 — predecessor of the Fisheries Regulations, 2013
25. (1) No person shall use a spear gun (Fish gun) for fishing in Antigua and Barbuda waters without first having obtained the written permission from the Chief Fisheries Officer for the use of that type of fishing gear. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (3), the Chief Fisheries Officer may grant upon an application a permit to use a spear gun for fishing in Antigua and Barbuda waters and may attach to such permit such conditions as he considers necessary. (3) The use of spear gun for fishing is prohibited in all areas specified as conservation areas.
Lobster — prohibited capture methods (no spearing)
Fisheries Regulations (Cap. 173), S.I. 10/1990 — predecessor of the Fisheries Regulations, 2013
20. (3) No person shall capture any lobster other than by hand, loop, pot or trap. (4) No person shall have in his possession or sell any lobster that has been speared, hooked or otherwise impaled.
Marine reserves — fishing prohibited without permission
Fisheries Act, 2006 (No. 22 of 2006)
53. (1) The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, declare an area of Antigua and Barbuda waters, and as appropriate, any adjacent or surrounding land, to be a marine reserve where he considers that special measures are necessary— (a) to afford special protection to the flora and fauna of such areas; (b) to protect and preserve the natural breeding grounds and habitants of aquatic life, with particular regard to flora and fauna in danger of extinction; (c) to allow for the natural regeneration of aquatic life in areas where such life has been depleted or threatened; (d) to promote scientific study and research in respect of such areas; or (e) to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of such areas. (2) A person who, in a marine reserve, without permission granted under subsection (3)— (a) fishes or attempts to fish; (b) takes or destroys any flora or fauna other than fish; (c) dredges, extracts sand and gravel, discharges or deposits wastes or any other polluting matter, or in any other way disturbs, alters or destroys the natural environment; or (d) constructs or erects any buildings or other structures on or over any land or waters within such a reserve, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000.
Local fishing licence required to fish from a vessel
Fisheries Act, 2006 (No. 22 of 2006)
30. (1) No local fishing vessel shall be used for fishing or related activities in Antigua and Barbuda waters without a valid local fishing licence in respect of that vessel.
Foreign fishing licence required for foreign vessels
Fisheries Act, 2006 (No. 22 of 2006)
27. (1) No foreign fishing vessel shall be used for fishing or related activities in Antigua and Barbuda waters without a valid foreign fishing licence issued under this section.
Marine Areas — restricted areas
Marine Areas (Preservation and Enhancement) Act (Cap. 259)
3. (1) The Minister may by Order published in the Gazette designate any portion of the marine areas of Antigua and Barbuda as a restricted area where he considers that special steps are necessary to afford special protection to the flora and fauna of those areas, or to protect and preserve the natural beauty thereof.
Barbuda special area permit — fishing operations including spear fishing (permit validity by eligibility as a licensed local fisher)
Barbuda (Fisheries) Regulations, 2014 (S.I. No. 33 of 2014)
(7) A permit shall be valid for two years when issued to a person eligible for entry into the record as a licensed local fisher pursuant to section 35 of the Fisheries Regulations, 2013. (8) A permit shall be valid for one week, but not longer than the duration of the person's legal stay in Antigua and Barbuda, when issued to a person who is not eligible for entry into the record as a licensed local fisher pursuant to section 35 of the Fisheries Regulations, 2013, and such permit shall be valid only when used on a licensed sports or recreational fishing vessel.
Коли можна занурюватись
Сезони та часові обмеження
Закриті, відкриті та обмежені periodи протягом року. Завжди перевіряйте місцево закриття для конкретних видів.
- ЗакритоCaribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus)Трав 1 – Черв 30
Closed season for lobster: it is illegal to fish for, take, possess, place for sale or purchase lobster. Maximum fine EC$50,000.
- ЗакритоQueen conch (Strombus gigas)Лип 1 – Серп 31
Closed season for conch. Maximum fine EC$50,000.
- ЗакритоNassau Grouper, Red Hind, ConeyСіч 1 – Бер 31
Closed season for Nassau Grouper, Red Hind and Coney.
- ЗакритоParrot (Chub) FishТрав 1 – Лип 31
Closed season for Parrot (Chub) Fish.
- ЗакритоMarine turtles (all species)Січ 1 – Груд 31
No open season — marine turtles are protected year-round. It is illegal to take, capture or disturb any turtle, disturb or destroy a nest, or possess turtle eggs. (Historic regulation set a turtle close season 1 March–31 August; current Fisheries Division guidance states no open season / full year-round protection.)
Дозвіл на риболовлю
Ліцензія
Що потрібно, щоб мати право перебувати у воді, скільки це коштує та як це отримати.
Apply to the Fisheries Division / Chief Fisheries Officer (and the Barbuda Council for Barbuda waters) on the prescribed form.
Отримати ліцензіюВідкриває офіційний портал · agriculture.gov.ag
- Тип
- Spear gun permit (written permission from the Chief Fisheries Officer) plus a local fishing licence when fishing from a vessel. In practice spearfishing permits are issued only to nationals/registered local fishers.
- Вартість
- Approximately EC$/US$100 for a 3-month vessel fishing permit (secondary source); spear gun permit fee not separately published.
- Термін дії
- Vessel fishing permit reported as ~3 months; Barbuda special-area permits are 2 years for eligible local fishers, otherwise up to 1 week (length of legal stay).
- Як отримати
- Apply to the Fisheries Division / Chief Fisheries Officer (and the Barbuda Council for Barbuda waters) on the prescribed form.
- Орган влади
- Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs
Спорядження та техніка
Правила щодо спорядження
Яке спорядження дозволено, як його можна використовувати та умови застосування.
Обмеження
- Spear gun (fish gun) may not be used for fishing without prior written permission/permit from the Chief Fisheries Officer (Fisheries Regulations reg. 25).
- Spear gun use is prohibited entirely in all designated conservation / marine reserve areas.
- Lobster may only be captured by hand, loop, pot or trap; spearing, hooking or otherwise impaling lobster is prohibited, and speared lobster may not be possessed or sold (reg. 20).
- Collection of lobster and conch using scuba or hookah gear is restricted/prohibited (secondary sources; conservation measures).
- Pole-spearing of invasive lionfish is generally permitted/encouraged.
Speargun use is legal only under permit; in practice permits are reserved for nationals. Scuba is not permitted as a method for taking restricted species such as lobster and conch.
Що можна виловлювати
Ліміти вилову та охоронювані види
Добові квоти, мінімальні розміри та види, які ніколи не можна брати.
Добовий ліміт
unknown
Мінімальні розміри
- Caribbean spiny lobster (carapace length)мін 9.5 см
- Queen conch (shell length)мін 17.78 см
Охоронювані види — не брати
- ОхоронюванийAll marine turtles (year-round, no open season)
- ОхоронюванийLobster carrying eggs
- ОхоронюванийMoulting (soft-shelled) lobster
- ОхоронюванийUndersized lobster (less than 95 mm / 3 3/4 in carapace, or under 1.5 lb)
- ОхоронюванийLobster with a tar spot
- ОхоронюванийUndersized / immature conch (shell under 7 in, flared lip under 5 mm, meat under 225 g / 8 oz)
Lobster: illegal to take if carrying eggs, moulting, undersized (<95 mm or <3 3/4 in), or with a tar spot. Conch: illegal if shell under 7 in, lip thickness under 5 mm, or meat weight under 225 g (8 oz). Maximum fine EC$50,000 for taking species in closed season.
Хто може полювати
Гості та резиденти
Як правила відрізняються для іноземних гостей та місцевих жителів.
Іноземні гості
Не дозволеноПотрібна спеціальна ліцензія
Обмеження
- Spearfishing/spear gun permits are issued in practice only to nationals (citizens/registered local fishers); tourists and other non-citizens are not permitted to spearfish.
- Foreign fishing vessels require a foreign fishing licence under section 27 of the Fisheries Act 2006.
Multiple secondary sources (dive operators, cruising guides) consistently report that spearfishing in Antigua and Barbuda is reserved for citizens only and that tourists may not spearfish. This citizen-only practice is administrative/permit-based; the verbatim spear-gun regulation (reg. 25) makes the permit discretionary to the Chief Fisheries Officer rather than expressly excluding non-citizens in the text retrieved.
Резиденти
Local fishing licence (vessel) and spear gun permit from the Chief Fisheries Officer; registration as a licensed local fisher under section 35 of the Fisheries Regulations 2013.
Вимоги
- Register/apply with the Fisheries Division as a local fisher.
- Obtain written permission/permit for spear gun use.
- Hold a local fishing licence for the vessel used.
Переваги
- Eligible nationals/local fishers can obtain spearfishing permits not available to non-citizens.
- Barbuda special-area permits valid for two years for eligible licensed local fishers.
Spearfishing is in practice limited to citizens/registered local fishers.
Де на узбережжі
Дозволені та заборонені зони
Іменовані ділянки, відкриті або закриті для підводного полювання. Повну картину дивіться на інтерактивній карті.
Заборонені ділянки
- Cades Bay Marine Reserve (Cades Reef)marine reserve
Marine reserve off the south-west coast of Antigua protecting the Cades Reef barrier reef, seagrass beds and mangroves. Fishing/spearfishing prohibited without permission; spear gun use prohibited in conservation areas.
- Nelson's Dockyard National Parknational park
National park (UNESCO World Heritage Site) at English Harbour, southern Antigua, including marine areas where fishing is restricted.
- North East Marine Management Area (NEMMA)marine management area
Marine management area on the north-east coast of Antigua with fishing restrictions and conservation zones.
- Diamond and Salt Fish Tail Reefsmarine reserve
Protected reef areas with fishing restrictions.
- Palaster Reef Marine Reserve (Barbuda)marine reserve
Marine reserve off Barbuda; fishing restrictions apply.
- Codrington Lagoon National Park (Barbuda)national park
Protected lagoon and surrounding waters on Barbuda; fishing restrictions apply.
Умови на воді
Живі умови
Живий морський та погодний знімок поблизу прибережного орієнтира в Antigua and Barbuda, від Open-Meteo. Умови варіюються вздовж узбережжя — використовуйте як орієнтовні.
Живі морські дані та погода поблизу Cades Bay Marine Reserve (Cades Reef).
До кого звертатись
Органи влади
Офіційні органи, відповідальні за рибальство та ліцензування.
Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs
fisheries authority
agriculture.gov.agTel +1-268-462-1372 / 462-6106 / 462-3206 / 462-2841; Email fisheriesantigua@gmail.comBarbuda Council
regional fisheries authority (Barbuda waters)
Council Hall, Codrington, Barbuda, Antigua and BarbudaNational Parks Authority (Antigua and Barbuda)
protected area authority
Звідки це
Джерела
Кожне твердження на цій сторінці посилається на одне з цих джерел.
- [01]
The Fisheries Act, 2006 (No. 22 of 2006) — full text
Офіційнеlaws.gov.agОтримано Черв 14 - [02]
Fisheries Regulations (Cap. 173, S.I. 10/1990) — full text incl. reg. 25 spear gun, reg. 20 lobster (FAOLEX)
Офіційнеfaolex.fao.orgОтримано Черв 14 - [03]
Marine Areas (Preservation and Enhancement) Act (Cap. 259) — full text (FAOLEX)
Офіційнеfaolex.fao.orgОтримано Черв 14 - [04]
The Barbuda (Fisheries) Regulations, 2014 (S.I. No. 33 of 2014) — full text (FAOLEX)
Офіційнеfaolex.fao.orgОтримано Черв 14 - [05]
Antigua and Barbuda Closed Seasons for Fishery Resources — Fisheries Division (Ministry of Agriculture)
Офіційнеagriculture.gov.agОтримано Черв 14 - [06]
Fisheries (Restriction on Methods of Fresh-Water Fishing) Regulations 1978 (S.R.O. 4/1978) — FAOLEX
Офіційнеfaolex.fao.orgОтримано Черв 14 - [07]
Fishing Regulations — AVA Watersports (dive operator summary of MPAs, licence, spearfishing-citizens-only)
Додатковеavawatersports.comОтримано Черв 14 - [08]
Caribbean Fishing – Laws and Regulations (Antigua & Barbuda section)
Додатковеhashtagboatlife.comОтримано Черв 14 - [09]
NATLEX (ILO) — The Fisheries Act, 2006 (No. 22 of 2006) record
Офіційнеnatlex.ilo.orgОтримано Черв 14
Нотатки дослідника
Spearfishing is restricted, not outright banned. The verbatim spear-gun rule (Fisheries Regulations reg. 25, S.I. 10/1990, quoted here from the FAOLEX copy) requires written permission from the Chief Fisheries Officer and bans spear guns entirely in conservation/marine reserve areas. The current instrument is the Fisheries Regulations, 2013 (S.I. No. 2 of 2013), which replaced the 1990 regulations and carries forward equivalent spear-gun and species provisions; a clean text-extractable copy of the 2013 regulations themselves could not be retrieved (the official laws.gov.ag site has a TLS certificate issue and the FAOLEX copies of the 2013 regs are image-scanned PDFs), so the verbatim spear-gun and lobster excerpts are quoted from the directly-preceding S.I. 10/1990 regulations under the former Fisheries Act (Cap. 173), and corroborated by the Barbuda (Fisheries) Regulations 2014 which expressly cross-reference the 2013 regulations. The widely-reported 'citizens only' spearfishing rule is an administrative/permit practice (permits issued to nationals/registered local fishers) confirmed by multiple secondary sources rather than by an expressly retrieved statutory clause; hence data_confidence is medium. Closed seasons, lobster/conch size limits and turtle year-round protection are from the official Fisheries Division document. Coordinates are only provided where a clear source exists (Nelson's Dockyard); other MPA coordinates left blank to avoid fabrication.
Сповіщати мене, коли змінюються правила Antigua and Barbuda
Ми надішлемо вам лист, коли сезони або нормативи Antigua and Barbuda оновляться в нашій базі даних.