Spearing of bottomfish illegal in Mozambique???

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pr0t0c0l

Senior Member
Hey guys

I am going to mozambique and in doing some research I came across the following at a resort in barra's website:

"LICENCES AND PERMITS:
Boat launch license and fishing permits available in Inhambane. Spear fishing of bottom fish is punishable with fines of up to 10 000 000 Meticais (R3 000)."

Can anyone confirm this? Last I heard is that the scuba operators don't like spearos spearing reef fish, but I didn't think it was illegal.

And to make things more confusing it seems that FISHING for bottomfish is perfectly fine, which makes no sense as spearfishing is selective and you won't end up harming any species that you don't intend to eat and you don't contaminate the natural habitat.
 
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Adrian B

New member
Not sure if my attachments have managed to attach. If not I'll try again. The one is a pamphlet that was handed out to us with our spearfishing permits on trip to Inhaca 3 years ago. English one side and Portuguese on the other side. The other document is a translated version of the fishing act, can’t remember where I got it.

I good be wrong but the way I understand it is you allowed 10 fish in total per day provided you have the fishing permit and temp navigation certificate (if you diving off a boat).

Some reef fish species like parrots you only allowed 1 per day as per the English fishing regulations doc.

However it is Moz and the local Maritomo can make up the law as he feels fit on the day or what ever will secure him the biggest bribe and you the tourist.

Your best bet is to go to the fisheries head office in Maputo, probably one in Inhambane and ask first. Best you be able to speak Portuguese or take somebody with you who can (and get a cell number if you land up in trouble)

It is possible the lodge made up their own house rules which may apply to their camp.

Over the years spearos have at some stage or another shot too many fish, sold them, given locals spearguns who now decimate everything that moves, shot the pet Potatoes etc and as a result a anti spearo sentiment exists in many parts of Moz.

Only takes one or two people to screw it up for the rest of us. Perhaps their is a lesson in this. If that camp says no reefies, maybe let it be. Their are more than enough pelagic fish in Moz.

Consider your action in Moz, their is always some body watching you. Also consider where you take your pictures. Big/ Trophy fish are often just as inflammatory as reef fish. I take mine out at see and leave my fish in the hatch (if they to big to fit cover them) until I’m in the camp despite the fact that my catch is always legal.

Their are people that will find 10 Cuda between 4 divers a problem. I rather choose to fly along under the radar and have a happy holiday. Only take one brush with the authorities in Moz to ruin your holiday, they can be down right difficult if they want to, even if you all legit.

 
 

Attachments

  • English side of Moz fishery regulations.pdf
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