Bermuda
Americas · Northern America
Spearfishing is legal in Bermuda only under a licence, and licences are issued to Bermuda residents only. Only a pole spear may be used: spearguns and Hawaiian slings are illegal, and SCUBA/aqualung may not be used to take fish. Spearfishing is prohibited within one nautical mile of the shore of any island of Bermuda, banned year-round in 30 designated protected dive-site areas, and banned seasonally (15 April to 14 August) in the South Western and North Eastern protected areas. A bag limit of two fish of any one species per person per day applies, spearing of lobster is prohibited, and speared fish may not be sold. Many species (all parrotfish, several groupers, marine turtles, mammals, corals, molluscs) are fully protected and may never be taken.
Last updated June 15, 2026
Governing framework
- §Fisheries Act 1972
- §Fisheries Regulations 2010 (BR 19 / 2010)
- §Fisheries (Protected Areas) Order 2000 (BR 38 / 2000), as amended by BR 119 / 2019
- §Fisheries (Protected Species) Order 1978
- §Protected Species Act 2003
- §Protected Species Order 2012
- License required
- Required
- Speargun
- Prohibited
- 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.
Definition of speargun
Fisheries Regulations 2010 (BR 19 / 2010)
“speargun” means any weapon, apparatus or mechanism so constructed as to be capable of being used underwater for the discharge (whether complete or partial) of any projectile, whether or not a spear or harpoon.
Prohibition on use of speargun or aqualung to take fish
Fisheries Regulations 2010 (BR 19 / 2010)
Any person—(a) who uses a speargun in taking fish; or (b) who uses an aqualung in taking fish by any means, commits an offence.
Spearfishing restrictions: lobster, bag limit, and one-nautical-mile shore zone
Fisheries Regulations 2010 (BR 19 / 2010)
Any person—(a) who takes or injures any lobster by spearfishing ... (b) who takes or injures by spearfishing in any one day more than two fish of any one species ... (c) who takes by spearfishing any fish within one nautical mile of the shore of any of the islands of Bermuda, commits an offence.
Definition of aqualung
Fisheries Regulations 2010 (BR 19 / 2010)
“aqualung” means any appliance, apparatus or mechanism whereby a person can continue to breathe when fully submerged in water.
Citation and authority for protected areas
Fisheries (Protected Areas) Order 2000 (BR 38 / 2000)
The Minister responsible for fisheries, in exercise of the power conferred on him by section 4 of the Fisheries Act 1972 makes the following Order:— Citation 1 This Order may be cited as the Fisheries (Protected Areas) Order 2000. Protected areas 2 The following areas are declared to be protected areas for the purposes of section 4 of the Fisheries Act 1972 ...
Prohibited activities within protected areas (year-round and seasonal)
Fisheries (Protected Areas) Order 2000 (BR 38 / 2000), as amended by BR 119 / 2019
(1) The following activities are prohibited within a protected area: (a) the taking of fish; (b) the use within a protected area of any anchor other than a Danforth (sand) anchor. (2) Without prejudice to subparagraph (1), the taking of fish is prohibited during the period beginning on 15 April and ending on 14 August in any year in any of the following areas: (a) “South Western Area” ... and (c) “North Eastern Area” ...
When you can dive
Seasons & time restrictions
Closed, open and restricted periods across the year. Always confirm species-specific closures locally.
- ClosedSouth Western Area (seasonally protected area) - all fishing including spearfishingApr 15 – Aug 14
Taking of fish (including spearfishing) is prohibited from 15 April to 14 August each year in the roughly rectangular South Western Area, bounded by points 32°16.4'N 65°3.2'W, 32°16.1'N 65°0'W, 32°11.9'N 64°57.1'W, 32°11.0'N 65°0'W and the 200 m contour on the seaward margin. Protects spawning aggregations.
- ClosedNorth Eastern Area (seasonally protected area) - all fishing including spearfishingApr 15 – Aug 14
Taking of fish (including spearfishing) is prohibited from 15 April to 14 August each year in the roughly rectangular North Eastern Area (Northern Point 32°31.7'N 64°39.3'W; Western Point 32°30.8'N 64°40.4'W). Protects grouper spawning aggregations.
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 Environment and Natural Resources Licencing Office at the Botanical Gardens, 169 South Road, Paget (online services portal available on gov.bm).
Get your licenseOpens the official portal · gov.bm
- Type
- Spearfishing licence (recreational), issued to Bermuda residents only
- Cost
- $130 (BMD)
- Validity
- Valid until 31 August each year; holder must submit catch statistics monthly and will not be relicensed until previous statistics are received.
- How to obtain
- Apply to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Licencing Office at the Botanical Gardens, 169 South Road, Paget (online services portal available on gov.bm).
- Authority
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Department of Environmental Protection / Fisheries)
Gear & technique
Equipment rules
What gear is permitted, how it may be used, and the conditions attached.
Restrictions
- Only pole spears are permitted
- Spearguns may not be used (illegal under Fisheries Regulations 2010 reg. 22(4)(a))
- Hawaiian slings may not be used
- Aqualung / SCUBA may not be used to take fish by any means (reg. 22(4)(b))
A speargun is broadly defined as any underwater weapon/mechanism capable of discharging any projectile. The pole spear, which is manually propelled, is the only legal spearfishing implement.
What you may take
Catch limits & protected species
Daily quotas, minimum sizes, and species that must never be taken.
Daily limit
Two fish of any one species per person per day (spearfishing bag limit, Fisheries Regulations 2010 reg. 22(5)(b))
Minimum sizes
- Black groupermin 95 cm
- Yellowtail snappermin 30 cm
Protected species — do not take
- ProtectedAll species of parrotfish (protected since 1993)
- ProtectedNassau grouper
- ProtectedRed grouper (Deer Hamlet)
- ProtectedYellowfin grouper
- ProtectedTiger grouper
- ProtectedGag grouper
- ProtectedSnowy grouper
- ProtectedMutton Hamlet
- ProtectedMarine turtles (Green, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Leatherback, Kemp's Ridley)
- ProtectedAll whales, dolphins and porpoises
- ProtectedAll corals (stony corals, sea rods, sea fans)
- ProtectedProtected molluscs
- ProtectedLongsnout and Lined seahorses
- ProtectedAmerican and European eels
- ProtectedLobster (may not be taken by spearfishing)
Speared fish may not be sold (recreational only). General minimum size limits (fork length) and per-boat bag limits also apply to many species under the Fisheries Regulations 2010; protected species under the Fisheries (Protected Species) Order 1978 and Protected Species Order 2012 may never be taken.
Who may fish
Visitors & residents
How the rules differ for foreign visitors and local residents.
Foreign visitors
Not allowedRestrictions
- Spearfishing licences are issued to Bermuda residents only; non-residents/tourists cannot obtain a spearfishing licence and therefore cannot legally spearfish.
Visitors may engage in other forms of recreational fishing (e.g. line fishing within the rules), but spearfishing is restricted to licensed Bermuda residents.
Residents
Spearfishing licence (residents only), $130, valid to 31 August
Requirements
- Must be a Bermuda resident
- Hold a valid spearfishing licence
- Use only a pole spear (no speargun, no Hawaiian sling, no SCUBA)
- Submit catch statistics monthly to remain eligible for relicensing
Benefits
- Eligibility to obtain a spearfishing licence (not available to non-residents)
Even licensed residents must observe the one-nautical-mile shore exclusion, year-round and seasonal protected areas, the two-fish-per-species bag limit, the lobster spearing ban, and protected-species rules.
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
- Cristobal Colonfisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 300 m radius of mooring buoy at the wreck. Taking of fish (incl. spearfishing) prohibited.
- North East Breakerfisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 300 m radius of the North East Breaker beacon.
- Mills Breakerfisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 300 m radius of Mills Breaker beacon.
- Pelinaion & Rita Zovettofisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 500 m radius of mooring buoy at the wrecks of the Pelinaion and Rita Zovetto.
- The Cathedralfisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 300 m radius of the mooring buoy at the Cathedral site.
- Tarpon Holefisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 300 m radius of mooring buoy at Tarpon Hole.
- Hermes & Minnie Breslauerfisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 500 m radius of mooring buoy at the wrecks of the Hermes and Minnie Breslauer.
- Marie Celestefisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 300 m radius of mooring buoy at the wreck of the Marie Celeste.
- South West Breaker Areafisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 600 m radius of mooring buoy at South West Breaker.
- North Carolinafisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 300 m radius of mooring buoy at the wreck of the North Carolina.
- Blanche Kingfisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 300 m radius of mooring buoy at the wreck of the Blanche King.
- Darlingtonfisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 300 m radius of mooring buoy at the wreck of the Darlington.
- L'Herminiefisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 300 m radius of mooring buoy at the wreck of the L'Herminie.
- Commissioner's Point Areafisheries protected area
Year-round protected area: 200 m radius of a stake at 32°19.72'N 64°49.93'W, bounded on the south-west and south-east by the shore.
- Lartingtonfisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 300 m radius of mooring buoy at the wreck of the Lartington.
- Constellation Areafisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 500 m radius of mooring buoy at the wreck of the Constellation.
- Eastern Blue Cutfisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 600 m radius of mooring buoy at Eastern Blue Cut.
- Xing Da Areafisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 200 m radius of a mooring at the wreck of the Xing Da.
- Hog Breakerfisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 300 m radius of mooring buoy at Hog Breaker.
- North Rockfisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 1,000 m radius of the North Rock beacon.
- Niobe Corinthianfisheries protected area (dive site)
Year-round protected area: 200 m radius of mooring buoy at the wreck of the Niobe Corinthian. Added by BR 119 / 2019 effective 16 December 2019.
- South Western Seasonally Protected Areaseasonally protected area (spawning aggregation)
Seasonal closure 15 April to 14 August: roughly rectangular area bounded by 32°16.4'N 65°3.2'W, 32°16.1'N 65°0'W, 32°11.9'N 64°57.1'W, 32°11.0'N 65°0'W and the 200 m contour. All fishing including spearfishing prohibited during the closure.
- North Eastern Seasonally Protected Areaseasonally protected area (spawning aggregation)
Seasonal closure 15 April to 14 August: roughly rectangular area (Northern Point 32°31.7'N 64°39.3'W; Western Point 32°30.8'N 64°40.4'W). All fishing including spearfishing prohibited during the closure.
Conditions on the water
Live conditions
Live marine and weather snapshot near a coastal reference point in Bermuda, from Open-Meteo. Conditions vary along the coast — treat as indicative.
Live marine & weather near Cristobal Colon.
Who to ask
Authorities
The official bodies responsible for fisheries and licensing.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Fisheries / Environmental Protection
fisheries authority
environment.bmLicencing Office, Botanical Gardens, 169 South Road, Paget, BermudaGovernment of Bermuda
government portal
Where this comes from
Sources
Every claim on this page traces back to one of these references.
- [01]
Apply for a spearfishing licence | Government of Bermuda
Officialgov.bmAccessed Jun 15 - [02]
Fishing restrictions and catch limits | Government of Bermuda
Officialgov.bmAccessed Jun 15 - [03]
Bermuda's No Fishing Areas | Government of Bermuda
Officialgov.bmAccessed Jun 15 - [04]
Fisheries (Protected Areas) Order 2000 (BR 38 / 2000) - official PDF
Officialgov.bmAccessed Jun 15 - [05]
Bermuda's Protected Species | Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Officialenvironment.bmAccessed Jun 15 - [06]
Recreational Fishers | Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Officialenvironment.bmAccessed Jun 15 - [07]
Bermuda Fisheries Regulations 2010 (reproduced text of reg. 22)
Secondarybermudabream.blogspot.comAccessed Jun 15
Researcher notes
Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory with strict marine conservation law. Spearfishing is legal only for licensed Bermuda residents using a pole spear; spearguns, Hawaiian slings and SCUBA are banned. Key constraints: no spearfishing within one nautical mile of any island's shore; year-round ban in 30 designated protected dive-site areas (Fisheries (Protected Areas) Order 2000 as amended by BR 119/2019); seasonal closure (15 April-14 August) of the South Western and North Eastern Areas for spawning aggregations; two-fish-per-species daily bag limit; no spearing of lobster; speared fish may not be sold. Verbatim regulation text (reg. 22) was obtained from a secondary reproduction of the Fisheries Regulations 2010; the protected-area coordinates and prohibition text are from the official government PDF of the Fisheries (Protected Areas) Order 2000. Coordinates were converted from degrees-decimal-minutes (as published) to decimal degrees; seasonal-area centroid coordinates are approximate midpoints of the published boundary points. Size-limit examples are illustrative from the official catch-limits page (full per-species tables exist in the Fisheries Regulations 2010). data_confidence is high overall, with the only weaker link being that the precise reg. 22 wording came via a secondary reproduction rather than the primary gazette text.
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