Spearfishing regulations Sri Lanka 2026: banned zones and Department of Fisheries licenses?
4 Answers from travellers
Under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act regulations, spearfishing while using SCUBA or artificial breathing apparatus is strictly prohibited nationwide. Recreational freediving spearfishing using breath-hold techniques is subject to tight restrictions: possessing or operating spearguns requires a permit from the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. All designated Marine Protected Areas (Hikkaduwa, Pigeon Island, Bar Reef, and Rumassala Sanctuary) are zero-take zones where carrying spearguns triggers immediate seizure and court summons.
Arriving at CMB customs with personal spearguns without prior import clearance from the Ministry of Defence and Fisheries Ministry will result in airport impoundment under weapons control definitions.
Targeting parrotfish, Napoleon wrasse, groupers over protected size limits, or sea turtles carries severe penalties under biodiversity conservation statutes.
Freediving outside the reef barrier on the south coast exposes divers to heavy open-ocean drift currents and offshore longline boat traffic; towing an orange dive flag buoy is essential.
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