Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba · Spearfishing zone
Sint Eustatius National Marine Park (general-use areas, free-diving spearfishing only)
What this zone is
Overview
How spearfishing is treated at Sint Eustatius National Marine Park (general-use areas, free-diving spearfishing only).
Within the St. Eustatius marine park, spearfishing is permitted ONLY by free-diving (no SCUBA or Hookah) and never with poison/chemicals/explosives. The park surrounds the entire island from the high-water line to the 30 m depth line ('dertig meter dieptelijn', Art. 1 sub a of the ordinance). STENAPA states the actively managed area totals about 27.3 km2. The two managed reserves (north and south), defined in Art. 2 by named landmarks (Gallows Bay, White Wall, Jenkins Bay) and the 30 m depth line, are excluded - no fishing there.
What applies here
Restrictions
Specific rules and limits that apply within this area.
No SCUBA/Hookah for spearfishing (Art. 4); no poison/chemicals/explosives (Art. 5); no fishing at all inside the two reserves; managed by STENAPA.
When it applies
Seasons
Time-of-year periods that affect spearfishing in this zone.
Year-round in general-use areas; reserves permanently closed to fishing.
On the coast
Location
Approximate reference point for this zone. See the full picture on the interactive map.
17.4900°N, 62.9700°W
View on the mapSource
This zone is documented in the official source below.
Before you dive
License for Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
Whether you need a license to spearfish here, and how to get one.
Bonaire: pay the nature fee online via STINAPA (QR-code receipt); lionfish ELF tools and permission are obtained from STINAPA, in practice through authorized dive operators. St. Eustatius: pay the nature fee via STENAPA. Saba: via the Saba Conservation Foundation.
Get your licenseOpens the official portal · stinapabonaire.org
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