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Spearfishing

The Deep Blue

The thrill of spearfishing in Greece is noteworthy in itself. You must hold your breath and possess excellent aim and steady hands in order to succeed. You are not permitted to utilise air-pressured spearguns. Perhaps courage will pay off, although it may be risky. If you feel secure diving, you’ll experience an underwater pursuit like no other. Every fishing trip should include a healthy dose of Grouper and Snapper, but there is one type in particular that makes for a tough spearfishing opponent, and for good reason. Dentex are a rare species of fish that possess speed, strength, and sharp fangs, in addition to an extremely cautious attitude. This means that hunting them requires more than just physical strength, but also intelligence. 

What are the restrictions on spearfishing/ freediving in Greece?

Max 5 kilos per spear, per day, or more than 5 (no limit) if you only hit one HUGE fish. Restricted areas: Not allowed to spearfish near harbours, must stay away at least 300m from harbour, swimming people, fish nets, fish farms. Must always carry a buoy and dive in a circle smaller than 50 meters from your buoy.

  • Spearfishing licence required: YES
  • Conditions/Restrictions: YES
    – During MAY, it is not allowed to spearfish AT ALL.
    – Not allowed to spear at night.
    – Not allowed to spear with scuba gear, only freedive.
  • Regulations for foreigners: Same as for locals
  • Protected species: A number of regulations are described in the booklet you get with the licence in Greece.
  • Regulations for the large and quantity (per day): A number of regulations are described in the booklet you get with the licence in Greek Licence. Max 5 kilos per spear, per day, or more than 5 (no limit) if you only hit one HUGE fish.
  • Restricted areas: Not allowed to spearfish near harbours, must stay away at least 300m from harbour, swimming people, fish nets, fish farms. Must always carry a buoy and dive in a circle smaller than 50 meters from your buoy.
  1. There are two kinds of fishing with a spear:
    1) Fishing with a simple spear, non-mechanical, used just with the power of the hand, and
  2. Fishing with a spear with a launch mechanism, the so-called harpoon gun.
  • Both of these ways of fishing are under the provision of the Presidential Decree 373/85 and, for their use, you’ll have to obtain an individual license for amateur fishery.
    As far as the first method is concerned with a simple spear, you should know that Paragraph 3 of Article 1 and Paragraph E of Article 2 of the Presidential Decree 373/85 are in force, which provide that there are no other restrictions but, if you use a lamp (diffused light without illuminator), it may have power of up to 500 candles, and no more.

There are two kinds of fishing with a spear:

  1. Fishing with a simple spear, non-mechanical, used just with the power of the hand, and
  2. Fishing with a spear with a launch mechanism, the so-called harpoon gun.
  • Both of these ways of fishing are under the provision of the Presidential Decree 373/85 and, for their use, you’ll have to obtain an individual license for amateur fishery.
    As far as the first method is concerned with a simple spear, you should know that Paragraph 3 of Article 1 and Paragraph E of Article 2 of the Presidential Decree 373/85 are in force, which provide that there are no other restrictions but, if you use a lamp (diffused light without illuminator), it may have power of up to 500 candles, and no more.

As far as the second method is concerned, with a mechanical spear, you need to know that Article 1 of the Presidential Decree 373/85 is in force which provides the following:

  1. Amateur underwater fishing is forbidden:
    a) during the period of May every year
    b) right after the sunset until the sunrise
    c) for people under 16 years old
    d) within a distance 200 metres of:
    • i) the point where normally people swim;
    • ii) port works or nautical marks or boats or other fishing means, as well as the nets with obvious marks;
    • iii) anchored ships.
  2. It is forbidden for amateur underwater fishermen to:
    a) to pull off catches from the fishing gears of other fishermen;
    b) to continue having their “harpoon guns” armed when they are out of the water or on land;
    c) to use any kind of diving gear that provides air from a boat or any kind of autonomous diving gear that provides air. Also, it is forbidden to keep breathing apparatus on board;
    d) to use a spear that its own power comes from the spark of explosive or other chemical mixture;
    e) to use nets;
    f) to catch fishes of a weight less than 150 grams;
    g) to use underwater light.

  3. Amateur fishermen, when diving, are obliged to bear a yellow drift buoy, which has a red diagonal flag and the symbol ‘Y’ (the Greek initial for Underwater Fishing) and which can be seen from a distance 300m. If a vessel accompanies the underwater fisherman, this flag must be on it. The underwater fisherman must be moving in a radius of 50 metres from the sign or the boat.

Finally, according to the Paragraph 2 of Article 2 of Presidential Decree 373/85, amateur fishermen can catch up to 5 kg fishes and no more, no matter the method they used to fish (except if they use nets, when the amounts goes up to 10kg). If one fish has weight over 5 kg itself, then it is permitted. Also, it is forbidden to catch more than one fish of the genus of Epinephelus [Grouper].

Dentex, Grouper, Snapper

Dentex are most often encountered in areas like Porto Koufo, where there are a great deal of reefs and underwater mountains. There are some spots, like Porto Koufo’s bay, where spearfishing is strictly forbidden, whereas the waters beyond the bay are open to fishing, and particularly abundant. Look for signs, and if you want to fish legally, hire a local guide. You may also fish for Dentex in other types of water, such as the deep sea. Are you wondering whether you can spearfish? Rent our spearfishing gear if you can’t bring your own. We can also jig and fish for them on the bottom. It really doesn’t get any better than face-to-face with a giant Dentex under the water!

Free diving and spearfishing in Greece
The Deep Blue

Your host

Capt. Vokadinov is a licensed diving instructor, so you can be sure you’re in good hands if you choose a spearfishing trip. Snorkeling and spearfishing equipment are partially provided. You need to bring wet-suits, masks, and fins, while the spear guns will be provided. You can choose if you want to go one mile off the coast or even up to 50 miles offshore. It all depends how big of fish you want to catch. Your main targets will be Grouper, Dentex, Snapper (Common Pandora), and Squids (Calamari).

Free diving and spearfishing in Greece
The Deep Blue
Free diving and spearfishing in Greece
Free diving and spearfishing in Greece

Shipwreck & spearfishing

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