Do I need a licence to fish or spearfish in Malta?
In most cases no for the individual — but the boat is another story. Under the Fishery Regulations (S.L. 425.01), all hook-and-line fishing methods and the use of the fish spear are permitted without any licence, at all times and in all places. This means shore fishing and free-diving spearfishing — that is, apnea diving without breathing apparatus — need no personal licence. The myth: that "you need a licence to fish in Malta" or that "spearfishing needs a permit" — both wrong for the basic methods. But fishing from a boat requires the boat to be registered with the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA) in a recreational category with an annual licence, and certain species such as bluefin tuna need a special authorisation. Importantly, spearfishing with scuba (aqualung) and at night is prohibited under EU law, and minimum sizes for fish apply.
📋 The rules
- Hook-and-line fishing and the fish spear are permitted without a licence, at all times and in all places (S.L. 425.01).
- Fishing from the shore and free-diving spearfishing need no personal licence.
- Fishing from a boat requires the boat to be registered with the DFA in a recreational category with an annual licence.
- Spearfishing with scuba (aqualung) and at night is prohibited under EU Regulation 2019/1241.
- Minimum sizes apply (generally 115mm, red mullet 100mm) and species such as bluefin tuna need a special authorisation.
🔓 Exceptions
- Traps, small nets and other specific gear need a licence from the Director of Fisheries — they are not covered by the general permission.
- Using explosives or poison to fish is a serious offence carrying up to 9 years in prison — never permitted.
- There is a moratorium on harvesting sea urchins, extended to July 2027.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Even though much recreational fishing needs no licence, breaking the rules has consequences. Fishing from an unregistered boat or without the DFA's annual licence can lead to fines and confiscation of the catch and gear. Keeping fish below the minimum size, or bluefin tuna without the special authorisation, breaches the conservation rules — the catch is confiscated. Spearfishing with scuba or at night, and fishing in marine protected areas, are prohibited and carry penalties. The most serious: the use or possession of explosives for fishing falls under the Explosives Ordinance (Cap 33) with 1 to 9 years in prison. Beyond the fines, repeated breaches can lead to the removal of the boat's licence and greater scrutiny from fisheries control officers, while the confiscated catch is lost entirely.
📎 Official sources
- Legislation Malta · Fishery Regulations (S.L. 425.01) — no-licence gear and minimum sizes →
- DFA · the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (registration and authorisations) →
- Legislation Malta · Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (Cap 425) →
❓ Frequently asked
Do you need a licence to fish from the shore in Malta?
No. Shore hook-and-line fishing is among the methods permitted without any licence, at all times and in all places, under S.L. 425.01. The idea that all fishing in Malta needs a licence is wrong — that mainly applies to specialised gear and to fishing from a boat.
Does spearfishing need a licence?
No, the fish spear is among the gear permitted without a personal licence, so free-diving spearfishing during the day is legal. But you cannot use the speargun together with scuba (aqualung) or at night — those are prohibited under EU law.
Can I spearfish with scuba gear?
No. EU Regulation 2019/1241, which applies directly in Malta, prohibits using the speargun together with underwater breathing apparatus or at night from dusk until dawn. Only free-diving spearfishing, during the day and outside protected areas, is allowed.
What are the minimum fish sizes?
Under S.L. 425.01 the general minimum size is 115mm, with red mullet at 100mm and bogue at 90mm, among others. EU minimum sizes also apply, which for some species can be stricter, and fish below the size must be returned to the sea.
Can I keep the tuna I catch?
Bluefin tuna is tightly regulated: you need a special recreational authorisation from the DFA, and the season, limits and whether it is catch-and-release change every year under EU and ICCAT rules. The exact yearly details should be checked directly with the DFA before you go out.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
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