FISHING

General Information 

In Malta, fishing activities are regulated by Cap. 425 Fisheries Conservation and Management Act. For full information about fisheries activities and its legislation, especially on a commercial level, we advise you to seek information from the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DFA). 

Here on our page we are sharing the answers to the most common questions that we receive.

We also remind you that you are obliged to make yourself familiar with the minimum size chart for the fish you aim to catch. Contact the DFA if you have any further questions about this.

Restrictions (land and sea)

There are certain zones in Malta where there is a fishing ban in place during set seasons or all year around. Depending on the nature of a breach of the legislation, it would fall on Fisheries Department or Transport Malta to enforce. 

Swimming Zones  

The restrictions apply from around mid May (exact dates in the Notice to Mariners published yearly) until end of September. No one can enter these zones with any type of fishing gear or vessel, at any given time, among other rules.

Malta and Gozo Swimming zones 2025 - Notice to Mariners 60 of 2025

Comino Swimming zones 2025 - Notice to Mariners 46 of 2025

The Swimming zones are monitored by Transport Malta and their Notices to Mariners are published here for every skipper/fisherman to keep an eye on and be up-to-date with them. 

Conservation Areas around Wrecks 

The restriction is in place for the 15 wrecks around the Maltese islands. As per Notice to Mariners 113 of 2024, the following applies.

"Within these Conservation Areas, only vessels engaged in recreational/technical diving operations are permitted to enter or moor within, only after pre-notification to the Valletta VTS on VHF channel 12. 

Masters of diving support vessels are to ensure that the appropriate signals in accordance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea and the International Code of Signals, are always shown. 

In the interest of safety, ALL other vessels are to remain clear of the Conservation Areas, are to maintain a safe distance and always navigate at safe speed. 

Furthermore, spear fishing and the use of fishing gear such as trolling lines (rixa), set bottom lines, trammel nets, gill nets and entangling nets, encircling nets, demersal pots and traps are prohibited within the Conservation Areas."

IMPORTANT! Trolling lines (rixa) is permitted within some of the conservation areas, subject that no diving vessel displaying the Alpha Flag is present. This only applies if  it is NOT one of the following areas where a FULL fishing ban is in place.

1. Wied iz Zurrieq

2. Off Xatt l-Ahmar

3. Marsascala

4. Off Cirkewwa

5. Off il-Ponta ta' San Giljan

It is to be noted that rod fishing whilst stationed on land is not restricted around the Conservation Areas. 

Spearfishing in the Maltese islands 

Are you planning on going out with your speargun and catch some fish? There is a set of rules that applies for your planned activity that you need to be aware of. 

• You can't spearfish between sunset and sunrise as per EU legislation.

• You can't be in a Swimming zone with the gear as per Notice to Mariners 46 and 60 of 2025.

• You can't spearfish with scuba cylinders as per EU legislation.

• You can't use flashlight within harbours and bays as per S.L. 425.01.

• You can't spearfish within Archeological zones as per Coastal Notice to Mariners 2 of 2024.

• You can't spearfish within Conservation Areas as per Notice to Mariners 113 of 2024.

You can see these restricted areas on our Map. 

Swimming Zones are light blue, Archeological Zones are orange and the Conservation Areas are yellow.

⚠️ Disclaimer 

These guidelines may be subject to change.  Always check with the DFA or relevant Authority, in case regulations have been amended.