SpearfishingMap

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).

Restricted
Data confidenceMedium confidence

Last updated June 14, 2026

Governing framework

  • §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)
License required
Required
Speargun
Allowed
Scuba
Prohibited
Foreigners
Not 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.

01Regulation 25Antigua and Barbuda · national

Restriction on use of spear gun

Fisheries Regulations (Cap. 173), S.I. 10/1990 — predecessor of the Fisheries Regulations, 2013

ENOriginal

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.

02Regulation 20(3)-(4)Antigua and Barbuda · national

Lobster — prohibited capture methods (no spearing)

Fisheries Regulations (Cap. 173), S.I. 10/1990 — predecessor of the Fisheries Regulations, 2013

ENOriginal

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.

03Section 53Antigua and Barbuda · national

Marine reserves — fishing prohibited without permission

Fisheries Act, 2006 (No. 22 of 2006)

ENOriginal

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.

04Section 30(1)Antigua and Barbuda · national

Local fishing licence required to fish from a vessel

Fisheries Act, 2006 (No. 22 of 2006)

ENOriginal

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.

05Section 27(1)Antigua and Barbuda · national

Foreign fishing licence required for foreign vessels

Fisheries Act, 2006 (No. 22 of 2006)

ENOriginal

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.

06Section 3(1)Antigua and Barbuda · national

Marine Areas — restricted areas

Marine Areas (Preservation and Enhancement) Act (Cap. 259)

ENOriginal

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.

07Regulation 6(7)-(8)Barbuda · regional

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)

ENOriginal

(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.

When you can dive

Seasons & time restrictions

Closed, open and restricted periods across the year. Always confirm species-specific closures locally.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
ClosedRestrictedOpen
  • ClosedCaribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus)May 1 – Jun 30

    Closed season for lobster: it is illegal to fish for, take, possess, place for sale or purchase lobster. Maximum fine EC$50,000.

    agriculture.gov.ag
  • ClosedQueen conch (Strombus gigas)Jul 1 – Aug 31

    Closed season for conch. Maximum fine EC$50,000.

    agriculture.gov.ag
  • ClosedNassau Grouper, Red Hind, ConeyJan 1 – Mar 31

    Closed season for Nassau Grouper, Red Hind and Coney.

    agriculture.gov.ag
  • ClosedParrot (Chub) FishMay 1 – Jul 31

    Closed season for Parrot (Chub) Fish.

    agriculture.gov.ag
  • ClosedMarine turtles (all species)Jan 1 – Dec 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.)

    agriculture.gov.ag

Permission to fish

License

What you need to be allowed in the water, what it costs, and how to get it.

License requiredvia Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs

Apply to the Fisheries Division / Chief Fisheries Officer (and the Barbuda Council for Barbuda waters) on the prescribed form.

Get your license

Opens the official portal · agriculture.gov.ag

License required
Type
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.
Cost
Approximately EC$/US$100 for a 3-month vessel fishing permit (secondary source); spear gun permit fee not separately published.
Validity
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).
How to obtain
Apply to the Fisheries Division / Chief Fisheries Officer (and the Barbuda Council for Barbuda waters) on the prescribed form.
Authority
Fisheries Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs
Official licensing portal · agriculture.gov.ag

Gear & technique

Equipment rules

What gear is permitted, how it may be used, and the conditions attached.

SpeargunAllowed
ScubaProhibited

Restrictions

  • 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.

What you may take

Catch limits & protected species

Daily quotas, minimum sizes, and species that must never be taken.

Daily limit

unknown

Minimum sizes

  • Caribbean spiny lobster (carapace length)min 9.5 cm
  • Queen conch (shell length)min 17.78 cm

Protected species — do not take

  • ProtectedAll marine turtles (year-round, no open season)
  • ProtectedLobster carrying eggs
  • ProtectedMoulting (soft-shelled) lobster
  • ProtectedUndersized lobster (less than 95 mm / 3 3/4 in carapace, or under 1.5 lb)
  • ProtectedLobster with a tar spot
  • ProtectedUndersized / 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.

Who may fish

Visitors & residents

How the rules differ for foreign visitors and local residents.

Foreign visitors

Not allowed

Special license required

Restrictions

  • 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.

Residents

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.

Requirements

  • 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.

Benefits

  • 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.

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.

Prohibited areas

View on map

Conditions on the water

Live conditions

Live marine and weather snapshot near a coastal reference point in Antigua and Barbuda, from Open-Meteo. Conditions vary along the coast — treat as indicative.

Live marine & weather near Nelson's Dockyard National Park.

Conditions

Who to ask

Authorities

The official bodies responsible for fisheries and licensing.

  • 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.com

  • Barbuda Council

    regional fisheries authority (Barbuda waters)

    Council Hall, Codrington, Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda

  • National Parks Authority (Antigua and Barbuda)

    protected area authority

    nationalparksantigua.com

Where this comes from

Sources

Every claim on this page traces back to one of these references.

  1. [01]

    The Fisheries Act, 2006 (No. 22 of 2006) — full text

    Official
    laws.gov.agAccessed Jun 14
  2. [02]

    Fisheries Regulations (Cap. 173, S.I. 10/1990) — full text incl. reg. 25 spear gun, reg. 20 lobster (FAOLEX)

    Official
    faolex.fao.orgAccessed Jun 14
  3. [03]

    Marine Areas (Preservation and Enhancement) Act (Cap. 259) — full text (FAOLEX)

    Official
    faolex.fao.orgAccessed Jun 14
  4. [04]

    The Barbuda (Fisheries) Regulations, 2014 (S.I. No. 33 of 2014) — full text (FAOLEX)

    Official
    faolex.fao.orgAccessed Jun 14
  5. [05]

    Antigua and Barbuda Closed Seasons for Fishery Resources — Fisheries Division (Ministry of Agriculture)

    Official
    agriculture.gov.agAccessed Jun 14
  6. [06]

    Fisheries (Restriction on Methods of Fresh-Water Fishing) Regulations 1978 (S.R.O. 4/1978) — FAOLEX

    Official
    faolex.fao.orgAccessed Jun 14
  7. [07]

    Fishing Regulations — AVA Watersports (dive operator summary of MPAs, licence, spearfishing-citizens-only)

    Secondary
    avawatersports.comAccessed Jun 14
  8. [08]

    Caribbean Fishing – Laws and Regulations (Antigua & Barbuda section)

    Secondary
    hashtagboatlife.comAccessed Jun 14
  9. [09]

    NATLEX (ILO) — The Fisheries Act, 2006 (No. 22 of 2006) record

    Official
    natlex.ilo.orgAccessed Jun 14

Researcher notes

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.

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