Spearfishing Licences by Country
Spearfishing licence rules are country-specific and often even state or province-specific. Portugal, Croatia, Cyprus, South Africa, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Puerto Rico and several others require a permit or registration. New Zealand and Malta have no general recreational sea-fishing licence, but still regulate gear, reserves and species. Australia and the United States are state-based. The Bahamas is stricter: spearguns are banned nationwide, so visitors must use only approved sling or pole-spear methods where permitted.
TL;DR
- Check the licence holder, not just the country name: Spain, Australia, the United States and Argentina vary by region or state.
- Licence-free does not mean rule-free; New Zealand, Malta and Greece still apply gear, reserve, season and species controls.
- Some places restrict the method itself, including scuba bans, speargun bans, daylight-only rules and no-take marine zones.
- Visitors should confirm the current wording with the national authority, local authority and marine-park map before packing gear.
Which countries require a spearfishing licence or permit?
A licence or formal permit is required in many spearfishing destinations, but the issuing body changes by country. Portugal requires a spearfishing licence when a speargun is part of the dive. Spain requires a spearfishing licence issued by an autonomous community, with free-diving only under the national rule. South Africa requires a recreational permit endorsed for spearfishing under the MLRA system. Mexico uses a CONAPESCA/SADER recreational-sport fishing permit. Chile requires a SERNAPESCA recreational-fishing licence and the official rule set treats spearfishing as covered. Colombia uses an AUNAP sport-fishing permit, but only lionfish/exotic species are unambiguous; native species are grey. Peru requires DICAPI diver registration for spearfishing even though ordinary recreational fishing has a different path. Uruguay uses DINARA permits, Puerto Rico requires a DRNA recreational fishing licence, and Brazil requires a recreational licence where the boat category covers apnea spearfishing. Turkey changed in 2026: amateur spearfishing now needs an Amator Balikci Belgesi marked for the diving method, with extra care for foreign visitors.
Where is spearfishing licence-free but still regulated?
Several countries do not have a general paid sea-fishing licence for the activity, yet still regulate the dive closely. New Zealand has no recreational sea-fishing licence, but MPI regional rules, DOC marine reserves, local notices, rahui and mataitai areas can decide whether a dive is legal. Malta has no licence requirement for shore or breath-hold spearfishing, but scuba and night spearfishing are banned and seasonal bathing-zone notices must be checked. Greece abolished the old licence, but the national rules notes a state recreational-fisher registry rollout and the annual May spearfishing ban remains decisive. France has no licence or declaration for ordinary spearfishing, but civil-liability insurance is mandatory and method restrictions still apply. Italy is often described as licence-free, yet a free MASAF sea-fishing registration is required. These cases are where travellers get caught: the absence of a licence fee is not the same as permission to spear anywhere, with any gear, at any time.
Which countries ban scuba, spearguns, or specific gear?
Gear rules are often stricter than licence rules. The Bahamas is the clearest example: spearguns are banned nationwide, with only Hawaiian sling or pole spear allowed where spearfishing is otherwise permitted, and only on breath-hold. New Zealand allows ordinary spearfishing without a sea licence, but crayfish and paua are free-diving only and must not be taken on scuba. South Africa is breath-hold and snorkel only for spearfishing; scuba and hookah are banned, and estuaries are closed to spearfishing. Mexico, Brazil, Colombia and Peru also treat scuba spearing as banned in their national ruless. Spain, Italy, France, Greece and Turkey use free-diving-only rules and add daylight or loaded-gun restrictions. Australia varies by state, but the pack flags no fish taken on scuba in key jurisdictions, no spearfishing in inland waters and no-take marine zones. Always separate three questions: may I fish, may I carry this gear, and may I use it at this exact place?
Which no-take zones override a valid licence?
A valid licence does not override a closed area. Marine national parks, sanctuary zones, reserves, bathing zones, ports and local conservation closures can make spearfishing illegal even when the diver holds the right paperwork. Australia has full no-take marine national park and sanctuary zones, including Great Barrier Reef green and pink zones. New Zealand marine reserves are no-take, and local notices can add tighter closures. South Africa MPAs can restrict or ban possession of a speargun. The Bahamas bars spearfishing around New Providence, the south coast of Freeport and close to Out-Island shores, and the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is a critical no-take filter. Puerto Rico marine reserves such as Tres Palmas and Canal Luis Pena override ordinary licences. Argentina's national parks and whale sanctuary areas are no-take. In practice, the map layer matters as much as the licence card: check the point, not just the country.
How should visitors verify the rule before a trip?
Visitors should verify in layers. First, identify the country rule: licence, registration, permit, insurance, or no general licence. Second, check whether the rule is national or regional. Spain is autonomous-community based; Australia and the United States are state-based; Argentina is provincial; New Zealand is regional under MPI notices. Third, check method language for scuba, hookah, night diving, loaded spearguns, buoys and age rules. Fourth, open the marine-park or no-take map for the exact island, reef or shore entry. Finally, confirm the current wording with the official body shortly before travel, because seasons, online forms and local notices change. Do not rely on charter chat, forum posts or a shop summary unless it points back to the authority. When a rule is grey, as in some local native-species or visitor-permit cases, treat the dive as no-go until the authority or a licensed local operator can confirm it in writing.
FAQ
Do you need a licence to spearfish everywhere?
No. Some places have no general sea-fishing licence, but every destination still has method, area, species or visitor rules.
Is Australia one national spearfishing licence system?
No. The national rules is state-based. Some states require a recreational fishing licence, while others do not require a general recreational licence.
Can visitors spearfish in The Bahamas with a speargun?
No. The Bahamas national rules bans spearguns nationwide. Only Hawaiian sling or pole spear is allowed where spearfishing is otherwise permitted.
Does New Zealand require a sea-fishing licence?
No general recreational sea-fishing licence is required, but MPI regional rules, DOC marine reserves and local closures still apply.
Does a licence allow spearfishing inside marine parks?
Not by itself. No-take zones, sanctuary zones, marine reserves and park rules override ordinary licences.
Why should I check the current wording before travel?
Because licence portals, visitor routes, seasonal closures and reserve notices can change. Use official authority pages before packing or entering the water.