Aruba
Americas · Caribbean
The import, possession and use of underwater hunting weapons (harpoons / spearguns) is prohibited in principle under the Landsbesluit verboden onderwaterjachtmiddelen (AB 2001 no. 115), a decree issued under Article 9 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance (Natuurbeschermingsverordening, AB 1995 no. 2). Since November 2020, Aruba operates a tolerance policy (gedoogbeleid) that in practice allows spearfishing with a harpoon provided the spearfisher holds a permit issued by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (Dienst Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij, 'Santa Rosa'). Spearfishing is forbidden in the designated red zones (which overlap the Marine Park Aruba protected areas), harpoons may not be carried into a red zone unless properly stowed in a boat in transit, and swimming/diving from shore with a harpoon is prohibited. The Coast Guard and Police enforce these rules; breaching the underlying decree is punishable by detention up to three months or a fine up to AWG 10,000 (Article 19(3) of the Ordinance). Lionfish (an invasive species) is treated as an exception and its removal is encouraged. Recreational line fishing requires no licence and billfish must be released.
Last updated June 15, 2026
Governing framework
- §Natuurbeschermingsverordening (Nature Conservation Ordinance), AB 1995 no. 2 (amended AB 1997 no. 34)
- §Landsbesluit verboden onderwaterjachtmiddelen (Decree on prohibited underwater hunting devices), AB 2001 no. 115, of 3 August 2001
- §Landsbesluit Parke Marino Aruba (Marine Park Aruba Decree), AB 2018 no. 77 — establishing Marine Park Aruba (21 December 2018)
- §Spearfishing tolerance policy (gedoogbeleid) in force since November 2020 (administrative, enforced by the Coast Guard / Dienst Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij)
- License required
- Required
- Speargun
- Allowed
The law, verbatim
Legal texts
The exact statutory and regulatory provisions that govern spearfishing here, quoted as published, with a link to each official source.
Prohibition of designated underwater hunting devices (basis article)
Natuurbeschermingsverordening, AB 1995 no. 2
Bij landsbesluit, houdende algemene maatregelen, kan de invoer, het onder zich hebben en het gebruik van bepaalde daarbij aangewezen middelen voor het vangen of doden van dieren, niet zijnde middelen die worden gebruikt in het kader van diergeneeskundige behandeling, worden verboden of beperkt. Artikel 4, derde lid, is van overeenkomstige toepassing.
Decree designating underwater hunting weapons as prohibited
Landsbesluit verboden onderwaterjachtmiddelen, AB 2001 no. 115 (3 augustus 2001)
Intitulé: LANDSBESLUIT, houdende algemene maatregelen, van 3 augustus 2001 ter uitvoering van artikel 9 van de Natuurbeschermingsverordening (AB 1995 no. 2). Citeertitel: Landsbesluit verboden onderwaterjachtmiddelen. Vindplaats: AB 2001 no. 115. Artikel 1 Als middel voor het vangen of doden van dieren, niet zijnde middelen die in het kader van de diergeneeskunde worden gebruikt, waarvan de invoer, het onder zich hebben en het gebruik verboden is, worden aangewezen wapens die onder hoofdstuk 93, tariefpost 93.03 van artikel 12/a van de Landsverordening in-, uit- en doorvoer vallen, en waarvan redelijkerwijs kan worden aangenomen dat zij voor geen ander doel bestemd zijn dan om in het water levende dieren te doden. Artikel 2 1. Dit landsbesluit treedt in werking met ingang van de derde kalendermaand na die van zijn plaatsing in het Afkondigingsblad van Aruba. 2. Het kan worden aangehaald als Landsbesluit verboden onderwaterjachtmiddelen.
Designation of nature reserves (basis for Marine Park / marine protected areas)
Natuurbeschermingsverordening, AB 1995 no. 2
1. Bij landsbesluit, houdende algemene maatregelen, kan, mede ter bescherming van een soort, aangewezen krachtens artikel 4, eerste en tweede lid, onderdeel a, of een individuele plant, aangewezen krachtens artikel 4, tweede lid, onderdeel b, overheidsdomein, hetzij te land hetzij te water, worden aangewezen als natuurreservaat. 2. Bij of krachtens een landsbesluit als bedoeld in het eerste lid, worden tevens regels gesteld met betrekking tot het beheer van en de toegang tot een natuurreservaat.
Penalty for breaching a prohibition issued under Article 9 (underwater hunting devices)
Natuurbeschermingsverordening, AB 1995 no. 2
3. Handelen in strijd met een in de artikelen 7, derde lid, of 17, eerste lid, vervat verbod of een krachtens de artikelen 1, tweede lid, 4, vierde lid, 9 of 10, tweede lid, uitgevaardigd verbod wordt gestraft met hetzij hechtenis van ten hoogste drie maanden, hetzij geldboete van ten hoogste tienduizend florin, hetzij met beide straffen.
When you can dive
Seasons & time restrictions
Closed, open and restricted periods across the year. Always confirm species-specific closures locally.
No seasonal closures recorded — verify locally before diving.
Permission to fish
License
What you need to be allowed in the water, what it costs, and how to get it.
Apply to the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (Dienst Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij, 'Santa Rosa'), which issues the permit and provides guidance on permitted areas, off-limits species and allowed equipment. Note: recreational line/rod fishing requires no licence; the permit requirement applies specifically to spearfishing/harpoon use.
Get your licenseOpens the official portal · arubatoday.com
- Type
- Spearfishing permit (under the November 2020 tolerance policy)
- Cost
- unknown
- Validity
- unknown
- How to obtain
- Apply to the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (Dienst Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij, 'Santa Rosa'), which issues the permit and provides guidance on permitted areas, off-limits species and allowed equipment. Note: recreational line/rod fishing requires no licence; the permit requirement applies specifically to spearfishing/harpoon use.
- Authority
- Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (Dienst Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij / Santa Rosa)
Gear & technique
Equipment rules
What gear is permitted, how it may be used, and the conditions attached.
Restrictions
- Import, possession and use of underwater hunting weapons (harpoons/spearguns) are prohibited in principle under the Landsbesluit verboden onderwaterjachtmiddelen (AB 2001 no. 115); they are tolerated only under the November 2020 policy for permit holders.
- A harpoon may not be present in a red zone unless properly stowed in a boat while going to or returning from sea.
- Swimming/diving into the water from shore with a harpoon is prohibited.
Harpoon/speargun use is in principle illegal but tolerated for permit holders since November 2020. The permit details which equipment is allowed. Exact equipment specifications (band/pneumatic, free-diving only, etc.) are not published in the sources reviewed.
What you may take
Catch limits & protected species
Daily quotas, minimum sizes, and species that must never be taken.
Daily limit
unknown
Protected species — do not take
- ProtectedSea turtles (protected — Landsbesluit AB 1987 no. 51)
- ProtectedQueen conch / karko (Lobatus gigas) (protected — Landsbesluit AB 1987 no. 52)
- ProtectedCoral fish / reef fish (protected — Landsbesluit koraalvissen AB 1992 no. 70)
- ProtectedStony corals (protected — Landsbesluit AB 1988 no. 52)
- ProtectedStarfish (protected — Landsbesluit AB 1993 no. 49)
- ProtectedBillfish (catch-and-release only)
Lionfish (invasive Pterois) is treated as an exception and its removal is encouraged. Protected-species decrees are issued under the Nature Conservation Ordinance (AB 1995 no. 2); the species/years listed are per the DCNA legislation register. Specific daily bag or minimum-size limits for spearfishing were not found in the sources reviewed.
Who may fish
Visitors & residents
How the rules differ for foreign visitors and local residents.
Foreign visitors
The sources reviewed do not distinguish residents from foreigners for spearfishing. Tourists do not need a licence for recreational line fishing, but the spearfishing permit requirement and the underwater-hunting-weapon prohibition apply to everyone. Whether non-residents can obtain a spearfishing permit was not confirmed.
Residents
Spearfishing permit (Dienst Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij / Santa Rosa)
No resident-specific spearfishing benefits or rules were found beyond the general permit requirement under the tolerance policy.
Where on the coast
Allowed & prohibited zones
Named areas that are open to or closed for spearfishing. See the full picture on the interactive map.
Allowed areas
Under the November 2020 tolerance policy, spearfishing with a harpoon is allowed for permit holders in waters that are NOT designated as red zones. A harpoon may only be carried into a red zone if properly stowed in a boat while in transit to or from sea; entering the water (e.g. swimming/diving from shore) with a harpoon is prohibited.
Permit from the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (Santa Rosa) required; no spearfishing in red zones; no entering the water from shore with a harpoon; protected species may not be taken.
Prohibited areas
- Red zones (designated no-spearfishing areas)no-take / protected zone
Areas marked red on the official spearfishing map where spearfishing is forbidden and carrying a harpoon is prohibited unless stowed in a boat in transit. The red zones overlap the protected Marine Park Aruba areas.
- Marine Park Aruba (Parke Marino Aruba)marine park / nature reserve
Marine reserve established 21 December 2018, managed by Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA) since 16 April 2019; total area approx. 60.2 km2 across four marine protected areas. Established under the Nature Conservation Ordinance (AB 1995 no. 2) via the Landsbesluit Parke Marino Aruba (AB 2018 no. 77).
- MPA Arikokmarine protected area
Marine protected area in the coastal waters adjacent to Arikok National Park (approx. 16.5 km2). Part of Marine Park Aruba.
- MPA Seroe Coloradomarine protected area
Marine protected area in the coastal water around the Eastern Cape / Seroe Colorado (approx. 18.7 km2). Part of Marine Park Aruba.
- MPA Mangel Haltomarine protected area
Marine protected area along Mangel Halto, including mangroves (approx. 16 km2). Part of Marine Park Aruba.
- MPA Oranjestad Reef Islandsmarine protected area
Marine protected area covering the reef islands from Governor's Bay Beach to Punta Brabo (approx. 9 km2). Part of Marine Park Aruba.
Conditions on the water
Live conditions
Live marine and weather snapshot near a coastal reference point in Aruba, from Open-Meteo. Conditions vary along the coast — treat as indicative.
Live marine & weather near MPA Arikok.
Who to ask
Authorities
The official bodies responsible for fisheries and licensing.
Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (Dienst Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij, 'Santa Rosa')
fisheries authority
gobierno.awIssues spearfishing permitsAruba Coast Guard (Kustwacht Caribisch Gebied / Kustwacht Aruba)
maritime authority
kustwacht.anEnforcement at seaFundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA, Aruba National Park Foundation)
protected-area management
arubanationalpark.orgManages Marine Park Aruba and Arikok National Park
Where this comes from
Sources
Every claim on this page traces back to one of these references.
- [01]
Natuurbeschermingsverordening (Nature Conservation Ordinance), AB 1995 no. 2 — full verbatim text (Centraal Wettenregister / DWJZ via Internet Archive)
Officialarchive.orgAccessed Jun 15 - [02]
Landsbesluit verboden onderwaterjachtmiddelen, AB 2001 no. 115 — full verbatim text (Centraal Wettenregister / DWJZ via Internet Archive)
Officialarchive.orgAccessed Jun 15 - [03]
Official Aruba government law-text portal entry: Landsbesluit verboden onderwaterjachtmiddelen (06.03AB01.115)
Officialgovernment.awAccessed Jun 15 - [04]
The Coast Guard informs about the law on spear-fishing — Aruba Today
Secondaryarubatoday.comAccessed Jun 15 - [05]
De Kustwacht controleert op speervissen — 24ora.com (2021-08-30)
Secondarynederlands.24ora.comAccessed Jun 15 - [06]
Aruba — DCNA (Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance): nature legislation register (protected-species decrees, Marine Park)
Secondarydcnanature.orgAccessed Jun 15 - [07]
Marine Park Aruba — Wikipedia (four MPAs, areas, establishment, FPNA management)
Secondaryen.wikipedia.orgAccessed Jun 15 - [08]
Aruba Fishing Guide / Regulations — LivingEasyAruba (no licence for line fishing; billfish catch-and-release; spearfishing prohibited)
communitylivingeasyaruba.comAccessed Jun 15 - [09]
Can You Spearfish in Aruba? — Lancaster Scuba (permit, lionfish exception, red zones)
communitylancasterscuba.comAccessed Jun 15 - [10]
FPNA Position Paper — Considerations for the Legalization of Spearfishing in Aruba (2020)
Officialarubanationalpark.orgAccessed Jun 15
Researcher notes
Legal status is nuanced: spearfishing equipment is prohibited in principle (Landsbesluit verboden onderwaterjachtmiddelen, AB 2001 no. 115, under Art. 9 Nature Conservation Ordinance AB 1995 no. 2), but a tolerance policy (gedoogbeleid) in force since November 2020 allows permitted spearfishing outside red zones, hence spearfishing_allowed = 'restricted'. Verbatim Dutch legal texts (Articles 9, 10, 19(3) of the Ordinance and Articles 1-2 of the decree) were retrieved from the official Centraal Wettenregister (DWJZ) PDFs mirrored on the Internet Archive; these are authoritative. The operational rules of the tolerance policy (permit, red zones, no shore entry with harpoon, Santa Rosa as issuing authority) come from Aruba Today / 24ora reporting on Coast Guard communications and are not available as a published statutory instrument in the sources reviewed — hence medium confidence on those operational details. Marine Park coordinates are approximate centroids of the named areas for mapping, not official boundary coordinates. Protected-species decree years are from the DCNA register. Exact permit cost, validity, bag/size limits, and SCUBA-vs-freedive rules were not found in the sources reviewed and are left unknown. The official government law portal (government.aw / gobierno.aw) redirects to a JavaScript single-page app that could not be scraped directly; the law text was therefore taken from the same official DWJZ documents archived on the Internet Archive.
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