Japan · Spearfishing zone
Areas under common fishing rights (gyogyo-ken) nationwide
Prohibited zonefishing-rights / cooperative-managed area
What this zone is
Overview
How spearfishing is treated at Areas under common fishing rights (gyogyo-ken) nationwide.
Coastal areas managed by local Fishery Cooperative Associations hold common fishing rights over designated species (shellfish, lobster, sea cucumber, certain seaweeds, etc.). Non-members, including all foreigners, may not harvest these species; doing so can be prosecuted under Article 195 of the Fishery Act (fine up to 1 million yen in Okinawa). These rights cover most productive nearshore reef areas.
Source
This zone is documented in the official source below.
Before you dive
License for Japan
Whether you need a license to spearfish here, and how to get one.
No license requiredvia Japan Fisheries Agency (水産庁) / prefectural fisheries divisions