France · Spearfishing zone
Metropolitan French coastline (Atlantic, English Channel, Mediterranean)
What this zone is
Overview
How spearfishing is treated at Metropolitan French coastline (Atlantic, English Channel, Mediterranean).
Spearfishing in apnea is generally allowed along the open coast outside ports, reserves and prohibited zones, subject to national rules and local prefectoral orders.
What applies here
Restrictions
Specific rules and limits that apply within this area.
Apnea only; min age 16 for speargun; insurance and marking buoy required; no night fishing; 150 m from boats/marked gear; size limits and protected-species rules; from 10 Jan 2026 registration/declaration for sensitive species (all spearfishers in the Mediterranean).
When it applies
Seasons
Time-of-year periods that affect spearfishing in this zone.
Year-round except night and species moratoriums
Source
This zone is documented in the official source below.
Before you dive
License for France
Whether you need a license to spearfish here, and how to get one.