El Salvador · Spearfishing zone
Coastal waters within 3 nautical miles (outside aquatic reserve and protected areas)
What this zone is
Overview
How spearfishing is treated at Coastal waters within 3 nautical miles (outside aquatic reserve and protected areas).
Within 3 nautical miles of the lowest-tide line, and beyond the 1-nautical-mile aquatic reserve strip, only artisanal, small-scale or non-commercial (including sport/recreational) fishing may be authorized (Art. 31-A). Industrial fishing is banned here. Spearfishing as non-commercial recreational extraction is permissible subject to authorization, gear, size and catch-limit rules.
What applies here
Restrictions
Specific rules and limits that apply within this area.
Requires authorization/license from ASEA (formerly CENDEPESCA); must respect minimum sizes, authorized gear, catch limits, and species vedas; excludes aquatic reserve areas and MARN protected areas.
Source
This zone is documented in the official source below.
Before you dive
License for El Salvador
Whether you need a license to spearfish here, and how to get one.
Apply to the competent authority (formerly CENDEPESCA, since 2026 the Autoridad Salvadorena de Economia Azul - ASEA) following the requirements in the respective regulation; vessel-based activity also needs a 'zarpe via la pesca' from the Maritime Authority (AMP).
Get your licenseOpens the official portal · elsalvador.eregulations.org