Fishing Regulations and Permits in Curaçao – What Visitors Need to Know

Curaçao, a beautiful island in the Caribbean Sea, is the perfect place to cast a line during your vacation. You can fish both from shore and from a boat.

At the moment, Curaçao has no official rules regarding the number or minimum size of fish you can catch. In theory, you can keep as much as you want. However, we recommend releasing small fish so they can grow, and only keeping the fish you actually plan to eat. For sustainable fishing, it’s best to release all other catches.

 

Shore fishing

You do not need a permit to fish from shore. You can fish in any public area, but be aware that private properties may have their own rules.

 

Boat fishing

• Inland waters: if your engine is more than 9.9 hp, you will need a boating license.

• Offshore: you’ll need both a local boating license and a fishing permit. Only boating licenses issued in Curaçao are accepted.
  As with shore fishing, there are no set limits on size or number. Still, sportfishing etiquette encourages catch & release for small fish, and only taking home what you intend to eat. Among sport fishers in Curaçao, it’s an unwritten rule that species like marlin and sailfish are always released.

 

Underwater fishing

Spearfishing is strictly prohibited, except for divers who have permission to catch invasive lionfish. Want to know more? Contact one of the dive shops from the Curaçao Dive Task Force.