Bahrain
Asia · Western Asia
Recreational and commercial spearfishing is illegal in Bahrain. Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources defines 'Marine Rifles' as any fishing gear that uses spears or the like, and Article 20(C) expressly prohibits possessing or using Marine Rifles for fishing for marine life on board ships or at/near fishing sites. Violations are penalised under Article 33(B) with imprisonment of up to one month and a fine of 300-1,000 Bahraini dinars (or one of the two), with possible confiscation of equipment under Article 34. There is no recreational spearfishing permit; the law only provides for fishing and diving licences, and general fishing is governed by closed seasons, minimum-size limits and protected-species rules issued by the Supreme Council for the Environment and the Directorate of Fisheries.
Last updated March 4, 2025
Governing framework
- §Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
- §Decree No. 110 of 2023 naming the competent Ministry and Minister for implementing Decree-Law No. 20 of 2002
- §Ministerial/SCE regulation on minimum catch sizes for marine species (enforced January 2025)
- License required
- Required
- Speargun
- 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.
Definition of 'Marine Rifles' (spear gear)
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
Marine Rifles: Any fishing gear that uses spears or the like and fires automatically.
Prohibition of Marine Rifles (spearguns) and other prohibited gear
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
It shall be prohibited to have nets, machines, or tools that are unauthorised or prohibited for fishing - as listed - on board a fishing ship. It shall also be prohibited for any person to possess them at or near fishing sites, which are: A) Bottom trawl nets for fishing with any type of fishing ship. B) Drift nets (haul nets). C) Marine Rifles for fishing for marine life. D) Mono-filament synthetic (nylon) nets. E) Nets made of three-layer nylon yarn. F) Shrimp fishing net during the closed season. G) Any nets, machines, or other tools specified by the Competent Directorate.
Ban on mass-extermination fishing methods
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
The use of methods of mass extermination on Marine Resources, using poisons, explosives, chemicals, electric methods, and others, shall be prohibited.
Prohibition of commercial fishing by non-nationals; licence requirement
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
Without prejudice to the special provisions regarding nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council States, non-nationals of the Kingdom of Bahrain shall be prohibited from practising commercial fishing, and it shall not be permitted, without a licence from the Competent Directorate, to practise commercial fishing in fishing waters. The licence shall have a definite period, and the licence of the fishing ships shall specify the specifications of the ship, the fishing methods and equipment used, as well as the number of crew members... The licence shall specify the ship's work locations, the fishing seasons allowed, and the types and quantities of Marine Resources to be harvested in each area and during each season. When engaging in commercial fishing, the presence of a Bahraini captain (Nokhidha) on board the ship shall be required.
Requirements for a fishing or diving licence
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
Third - For the request for a fishing or diving licence, the following shall be required: A - Shall not be less than 18 Gregorian years old. B - Shall prove his suitability to practice fishing or diving. C - Shall not have been previously convicted of a felony or misdemeanour involving a breach of honour or trust, unless he has been rehabilitated.
Protected species and undersized catch
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
It shall not be permitted to fish larvae or juvenile marine organisms whose lengths are less than the authorised size. It shall also not be permitted to fish for sea turtles, dugongs, and other mammals, or to tamper with their habitats and reproduction areas along the shores of the Kingdom or in fishing waters.
Temporary prohibition of fishing for resource protection (closed seasons)
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
It shall be permitted, by virtue of a decision issued by the Minister after coordination with the Relevant Authorities, to temporarily prohibit the fishing of Marine Resources of all kinds for the purpose of protecting these Resources.
Penalties for prohibited gear and methods
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation and Protection of Marine Resources
Whoever violates the provisions of any of Articles (3), (16), (17), (19), (20), (21) Paragraphs (A, B, C, E, F), (24), (25), (27), (29), (30), and the decisions issued in implementation thereof shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding one month, and a fine of no less than three hundred dinars and no more than one thousand dinars, or with one of those two penalties.
When you can dive
Seasons & time restrictions
Closed, open and restricted periods across the year. Always confirm species-specific closures locally.
- ClosedShrimpunknown – unknown
A closed season applies to shrimp fishing; Article 20(F) of Decree-Law 20/2002 prohibits possessing shrimp fishing nets during the closed season. The Minister sets the specific dates by decision each year.
- ClosedAll marine resources (discretionary temporary bans)unknown – unknown
Under Article 16, the competent Minister may temporarily prohibit the fishing of marine resources of all kinds to protect stocks (e.g. spawning/reproduction periods). Specific periods are set by ministerial decision and vary year to year.
Permission to fish
License
What you need to be allowed in the water, what it costs, and how to get it.
Apply to the Directorate of Fisheries; applicant must be at least 18, prove suitability to practise fishing or diving, and have no relevant criminal conviction (Article 6).
Get your licenseOpens the official portal · lloc.gov.bh
- Type
- Fishing or diving licence (no dedicated recreational spearfishing licence exists; spearfishing is prohibited)
- Cost
- Recreational fishing licences reported at approx. 10-15 BHD/year and professional licences approx. 50-100 BHD (secondary expat source; not officially confirmed). No fee applies to spearfishing because it is illegal.
- Validity
- One year (Article 7 of Decree-Law 20/2002; the Directorate may issue shorter terms)
- How to obtain
- Apply to the Directorate of Fisheries; applicant must be at least 18, prove suitability to practise fishing or diving, and have no relevant criminal conviction (Article 6).
- Authority
- Directorate of Fisheries (Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture)
Gear & technique
Equipment rules
What gear is permitted, how it may be used, and the conditions attached.
Restrictions
- Marine Rifles (any gear that uses spears or the like and fires automatically) are prohibited for fishing for marine life - Article 20(C)
- Possession of prohibited gear at or near fishing sites is illegal - Article 20
- Bottom trawl nets, drift/haul nets, mono-filament nylon nets, three-layer nylon nets and out-of-season shrimp nets are prohibited - Article 20
- Poisons, explosives, chemicals and electric fishing methods are prohibited - Article 22
- Import or trade of fishing devices/equipment dangerous to marine resources is prohibited - Article 24
Spearguns/spearfishing equipment ('Marine Rifles') are banned by Article 20(C) of Decree-Law 20/2002. Possession alone near fishing sites is an offence. SCUBA is not expressly addressed for spearfishing because spearfishing itself is prohibited.
What you may take
Catch limits & protected species
Daily quotas, minimum sizes, and species that must never be taken.
Daily limit
unknown
Minimum sizes
- Kingfish (Kanaad)min 45 cm
- Hamour (grouper)min 42 cm
- Andakmin 24 cm
- Shrimpmin 10 cm
- Crabmin 9 cm
Protected species — do not take
- ProtectedSea turtles
- ProtectedDugongs
- ProtectedOther marine mammals
- ProtectedCoral reefs (removal prohibited)
- ProtectedOrnamental fish (catch prohibited)
- ProtectedPearls (extraction restricted)
Minimum landing sizes for 18 marine species were enforced from January 2025 by the Supreme Council for the Environment; additional species (Hamam, Faskar, Shaari, Shaam, Rabib, Rabbitfish, Janem) have minimums between 15-22 cm. Article 19 of Decree-Law 20/2002 bans catching undersized organisms and protected species. These limits are listed for completeness; spearfishing as a method is illegal regardless of species or size.
Who may fish
Visitors & residents
How the rules differ for foreign visitors and local residents.
Foreign visitors
Not allowedRestrictions
- Spearfishing is illegal for everyone (residents and foreigners) under Article 20(C) of Decree-Law 20/2002
- Non-nationals are prohibited from practising commercial fishing under Article 3 (without prejudice to GCC nationals)
Foreigners cannot legally spearfish in Bahrain because spearfishing is prohibited nationwide. Non-nationals are additionally barred from commercial fishing under Article 3. Some secondary sources indicate expats may obtain ordinary recreational rod/line fishing permits, but this does not extend to spearfishing.
Residents
Fishing or diving licence (rod/line/net fishing only; spearfishing prohibited for all)
Requirements
- At least 18 years old
- Prove suitability to practise fishing or diving
- No conviction for a felony/misdemeanour involving breach of honour or trust (unless rehabilitated)
Bahraini nationals may obtain fishing/diving licences and engage in commercial fishing with a Bahraini captain on board, but spearfishing ('Marine Rifles') is prohibited for residents and nationals alike under Article 20(C).
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
- Hawar Islands Protected Areamarine protected area / Ramsar wetland
Bahrain's largest protected area; the island group and surrounding territorial waters are under protection with hunting and fishing prohibited. A Ramsar wetland site and IUCN-listed protected area. Designated as a Marine Protected Area under Bahrain's framework.
- Tubli Baymarine protected area
Designated marine protected area in Bahrain. Marine Protected Areas are defined under Decree-Law 20/2002 as areas in which fishing is prohibited in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Mashtan Islandmarine protected area
Designated marine protected area in Bahrain where fishing is restricted/prohibited under the marine protected area framework.
- Dohat Arad (Duwhat Arad)marine protected area
Designated marine protected area in Bahrain where fishing is restricted/prohibited under the marine protected area framework.
- Fasht Bulthama (Fasht Al Adhm vicinity)marine protected area
Designated marine protected area in Bahrain where fishing is restricted/prohibited under the marine protected area framework.
Conditions on the water
Live conditions
Live marine and weather snapshot near a coastal reference point in Bahrain, from Open-Meteo. Conditions vary along the coast — treat as indicative.
Live marine & weather near Hawar Islands Protected Area.
Who to ask
Authorities
The official bodies responsible for fisheries and licensing.
Directorate of Fisheries, Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture
fisheries authority
mun.gov.bhunknownSupreme Council for the Environment (SCE)
environment authority
sce.gov.bhunknown
Where this comes from
Sources
Every claim on this page traces back to one of these references.
- [01]
Decree No. (20) of 2002 regarding the Regulation of Fishing, Exploitation, and Protection of Marine Resources - official English text (Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission)
Officiallloc.gov.bhAccessed Jun 14 - [02]
Decree No. (20) of 2002 - Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission portal page
Officiallloc.gov.bhAccessed Jun 14 - [03]
Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002 on the regulation of fishing, exploitation and protection of marine wealth - UNEP LEAP
Officialleap.unep.orgAccessed Jun 14 - [04]
Ban enforced on catching and selling undersized marine species - The Daily Tribune (minimum sizes, enforcement, penalties)
Secondarynewsofbahrain.comAccessed Jun 14 - [05]
Bahrain: Enforces New Fishing Licensing Regulations (2025) - Lexis Middle East
Secondarylexismiddleeast.comAccessed Jun 14 - [06]
Bahrain Fishing Permit: Application Process and Approved Zones (license costs, zones; states spearfishing is illegal)
Secondaryjarniascyril.comAccessed Jun 14 - [07]
Hawar Islands - Wikipedia (protected area, fishing prohibited, coordinates)
Secondaryen.wikipedia.orgAccessed Jun 14 - [08]
Map of marine protected areas in Bahrain (Hawar Islands, Tubli Bay, Mashtan, etc.) - ResearchGate figure
Secondaryresearchgate.netAccessed Jun 14 - [09]
Saudi Eastern Province & Bahrain Spearfishing & Freediving - DeeperBlue.com Forums (community confirmation spearguns/spearfishing illegal)
communityforums.deeperblue.comAccessed Jun 14
Researcher notes
Spearfishing is illegal in Bahrain. The governing instrument is Legislative Decree No. 20 of 2002, available in official English translation on the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission portal (lloc.gov.bh). Article 1 defines 'Marine Rifles' as gear using spears that fires automatically; Article 20(C) prohibits possessing or using Marine Rifles for fishing, and Article 33(B) sets penalties of up to one month imprisonment and a 300-1,000 BHD fine, with confiscation possible under Article 34. The law provides 'fishing or diving' licences for permitted gear (rod/line/traditional nets) but not for spearfishing. Closed seasons (e.g. shrimp under Art. 20(F)) and discretionary temporary bans (Art. 16) exist but exact dates are set annually by ministerial decision and were not retrievable as fixed calendar dates. Minimum catch sizes (enforced Jan 2025 by the Supreme Council for the Environment) and protected species (turtles, dugongs, ornamental fish, coral) are documented. Recreational fishing licence costs are from a secondary expat guide and are not officially confirmed. Confidence is HIGH for the spearfishing prohibition and core legal text (verbatim from the official portal); MEDIUM for licence fees and the full list/exact boundaries of marine protected areas.
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