Spearfishing in NSW
Spearfishing in NSW is a popular form of recreational fishing and has been recognised for its selective fishing practices. Spearfishers in NSW are required to pay the NSW recreational fishing fee.
Please note: all inland waters are closed to spearfishing as well as various areas along the coast. For further information please visit the closures page, enquire about restrictions at you local NSW DPI Fisheries office or phone 1300 550 474.
The same rules and regulations regarding bag and size limits apply to spearfishers, including the following:
Permitted
- You may use a snorkel when taking fish
- SCUBA (for scallops and sea urchins only)
- Bare/gloved hand only to take lobsters
Banned
- Hookah apparatus
- A light with a spear/spear-gun
- Spear/speargun to take blue, brown or red groper or any protected fish
- Power heads and explosive devices
- Spearfishing on ocean beaches (except the last 20 m at each end of the beach)
- Many entrances, coastal lagoons and other tidal waters are closed to spearfishing.
People wishing to go spearfishing offshore for many of the popular pelagic species should check out the FADs locations and the Code of Conduct for fishing around FADs.