Spearfishing legislation in UAE

[Jewan]

is it ready yet??? can we drive our car on the palm and park somewhere to get closer :S

is there something official?

[Deepwater]

Originally Posted by Gerhard101

Guys,

Where do we stand on this issue?

I would like to do this as a hobby and a sport. But I do not want to do it and stress about authorities giving me fines and stuff.

I have a couple of Public Relation Officers at work that might be able to pull strings to get to the correct person who makes the decisions.

I don't promise anything but we can at least try.

But then I need all the relevant info with regards to the fishing laws in the UAE etc.

I am sure we can get a team together ensure this sport has a bright future in the UAE as they can use it as a marketing tool for visitors ect.

Any help will be appreciated.

Gerhard

Gerhard,

You have asked a difficult question. You are going to have a very difficult time trying to persuade any Government official to make decision.

Alot of people spear fish, and alot get arrested so its tough to gauge where the law stands on this.

The EDA are not much help but I can predict their answer. In fact one of their committe nearly shot me underwater once.

The choice I think is your, just dont get caught.

If do spearfish, and I am 100% sure you are a sensible spearo, pleas etake you catch with you. I saw a huge grouper floating next to a wreck with an arrow through it. I am not going to be diving for the rest of the year or for a while now due to injuries and other issues so am not really linked to the community.

Best wishes and safe diving.

Ali Fikree

[Salehthefish]

In sharja the shore gaurd saw me and my gun and they didnot say anything. Today i been there also and i am seeing many people are doing this sport.

[The Killer's me]

any news guys? the season will start soon...shall we give it a try or things are worse now?

cheers

[Deepwater]

Its still a no-no. Phone EDA and ask them. I think they have dive educated staff now.

[hudasmt]

Is pole spearing covered by the laws too? or just the guns?

[The Killer's me]

these people are amazing...why the hell do they sell spearguns then...

[hudasmt]

Because you can use them 2 km or 2 miles away from shore or any man made structure if im not mistaken hehehe

[FisherKing]

Originally Posted by Mowgli

Dear Gerhard,

Originally Posted by Mowgli

Whereas spear guns are freely sold in the UAE, spearfishing is banned in its waters.

That said, the stipulations of the law, a copy of which is not at my disposal, state that free diving is permitted. Scuba on the other hand is not.

Those rules are most strictly followed in Abu-Dhabi, the capital. Other Emirates are more lenient.

If caught, the fines are all or any combination of the following:

1. Confiscation of the vessel
2. Confiscation of all diving gear
3. 6 months in jail
4. Dhs.25,000 fine

It gets worse if you are caught spearfishing on oil rigs in conserved areas, as what happened to us in Abu-Dhabi, near Daz Island in Ruwais/ Zerco. It was not a nice day.

On a live radio show, we once asked the question: Why is spearfishing banned in the UAE?

High ranking Govt. officials responded to our questions, but to say the least, their responses were not convincing and they did not have any understanding as to why the rule was in place.. but they had fully mastered the execution part of it.

Hence, no matter how long your breath hold is, I wouldn’t hold my breath in the hope of achieving any radical changes, any time in the near future.

My mobile number is attached below, for any queries you may have.

Regards,

Ashraf
050-2082582

So does this mean I can spearfish while freediving but cant while scuba diving????

[Salehthefish]

Yes thats right scuba spearfishing not allowed free diving is allowed with some rules... check the last posts you can see that you have to do it from 2 Kms away from shore and not in the restricted areas...

For me i am doing that in Diba and on the shore... It is nice there i believe... as mentioned before Abu Dahbi rules are more strict...

Wish u good spearing and we may arrange some trips in future...

[FisherKing]

Originally Posted by Salehthefish

Yes thats right scuba spearfishing not allowed free diving is allowed with some rules... check the last posts you can see that you have to do it from 2 Kms away from shore and not in the restricted areas...

For me i am doing that in Diba and on the shore... It is nice there i believe... as mentioned before Abu Dahbi rules are more strict...

Wish u good spearing and we may arrange some trips in future...

Thanks for clearing that up man, Im down for going on a trip sometime, im new here from canada juss got a car if ur goin on a trip somewhere i would like to meet up, but u sure u can get a speargun across the Oman boarder?

Good Day

my email moe_man70@hotmail.com