Martinique Fishing Regulations for Recreational Anglers

Sea fishing in Martinique is open to everyone, but it comes with rules. The goal is simple: protect fish stocks and the fragile species of Caribbean waters so the fishing stays good, now and in the future. Here are the main rules for recreational sea fishing, as set out in the prefectural order of April 8, 2019 (arrêté préfectoral, a regulation issued by Martinique's prefecture), and in French national regulations.

This article is a general summary for informational purposes only. Regulations can change, so before you fish on your own, check the rules currently in force with the Direction de la Mer de la Martinique (in French), Martinique's maritime affairs authority, and the Parc naturel marin de Martinique (in French), the island's marine nature park.

Do you need a saltwater fishing license in Martinique?

No. Unlike freshwater fishing, recreational sea fishing requires no license or fishing permit in Martinique, just as anywhere else in France. You can fish from shore or from a boat, or go spearfishing, without any paperwork.

There are two golden rules, though:

• Selling your catch is prohibited. Fish caught recreationally are for personal and family consumption only.
• You're responsible for following the rules on minimum size limits, protected species and restricted areas.

Mandatory catch marking

To fight illegal sales, certain species must be marked as soon as they're caught by clipping off the lower part of the tail (caudal) fin. On a boat, the fish must be marked as soon as it's brought aboard; if you're fishing on foot or with a line, as soon as it's caught. The fish must then be kept whole until it's landed, and the mark must not prevent the fish from being measured.

Fishing gear allowed on a boat

Recreational fishing from a boat comes with limits on the amount of gear. On board, you can generally use:

• rigged lines with no more than 12 hooks
• 2 longlines with no more than 30 hooks each
• 2 traps, 1 fishing spear and 1 landing net or other net (depending on use)
• electric reels, which are tolerated (no more than 3 per boat, 800 W each); mechanical winches, however, are prohibited

These limits can vary from one area to another: if in doubt, check with the local maritime authorities.

Minimum size limits and protected species

Minimum size limits apply to many fish (under the ministerial order, or arrêté ministériel, of October 26, 2012, as amended): any fish below the limit must be released. In Martinique, several species are also completely off-limits to recreational fishing:

• sea turtles and marine mammals (dolphins, whales, sperm whales)
• all sharks and all rays, sawfish, and manta and mobula rays
• protected corals, seahorses and starfish
• certain fish specifically banned for recreational anglers: the queen triggerfish, the blue parrotfish and the Atlantic spadefish (Chaetodipterus faber)

Conch, spiny lobster, sea urchin: strict rules for island icons

These Caribbean lagoon favorites are strictly regulated, with closed seasons and quotas:

• Spiny lobster — minimum size 2.4 in (6 cm) for the so-called “Brazilian” spiny lobster or 3.1 in (8 cm) for the royal spiny lobster; egg-bearing (berried) females are off-limits year-round; recreational fishing is closed from June 1 to September 30.
• Queen conch (lambi) — shell lip at least 0.28 in (7 mm) thick; maximum of 3 conch per person per day; season closed from January 1 to June 30.
• White sea urchin — minimum size 3.5 in (9 cm) across the shell, not including spines; reserved for authorized professional fishers, during a season set each year by official order depending on the state of the stock.
• Octopus (chatrou) — minimum weight 1.65 lb (750 g).

No-fishing zones

Some areas are restricted or closed to fishing to protect habitats: marine reserves and zones managed by the Parc naturel marin de Martinique. Official maps of no-fishing zones are available from the Direction de la Mer. At sea, approaching whales and dolphins is also strictly regulated by the AGOA Sanctuary (the marine mammal sanctuary of the French Antilles) — a topic we cover in detail in our guide to the whale watching season in Martinique.

Martinique fishing regulations, handled by your captain

Good news: when you fish with us, everything is taken care of. Your professional captain knows and applies the regulations — authorized areas, minimum size limits, protected species, compliant gear. We fish responsibly: we respect size limits and release protected species. All you have to do is step aboard.

Want to dig deeper? Find out what fish you can catch in Martinique and where to fish on the island, or go straight to our fishing trips and pick yours.