Irish Spearfishing Regulations

LICENCE

• No licence is required in order to spearfish all around Ireland. Although there is legislation in place to protect the minimum size of fish and shellfish that can be taken from our waters
• No licence is either required to own a spear gun provided it is a rubber banded one

LIMITS AND GUIDELINES

•  Sea Bass: A minimum of 42cm from the snout to the tail of the fish is allowed (S.I. No. 230 of 2006 BASS CONSERVATION OF STOCKS). Only two fish in 24hr period
  It is illegal to sell or even offer for sale Sea Bass (not if has been imported into the State). (Order S.I. No. 367 of 2007).

• 1 January to 31 January, – 2 fish bag limit. A minimum size limit of 42cm applies.
• 1 February to 31 March 2023, only catch-and-release fishing – no spearfishing allowed
• 1 April to 31 December – 2 fish bag limit. A minimum size limit of 42cm applies.

• Sea Trout and Wild Salmon: It is illegal to spearfish sea trout or salmon

• Shellfish:

Scallops: Minimum Shell Size 110mm across the longest part of the shell.

Spider crab and Brown crab: minimum size for spider crab is 13cm from the front part to the posterior part of the carapace

Minimum size for brown crab is 13cm from the left to the right side of the carapace

Lobster: minimum size is 87mm from the front part to the posterior part of the carapace.

V-notched females should not be taken as it is illegal.

Please also note that is illegal to shoot lobster and crabs. They can be only collected by hand or with a string (loop shaped) attached to a short pole

GENERAL

• It is illegal also to be spearfishing in freshwater – rivers, lakes (Bye-law No. 595, 1977)

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