FishtheUAElegally
LICENCES · RULES · WAYS ONTO THE WATER
BIGAME NEWS · RULES
EADAbu Dhabi recreational fishing licence: AED 120 a year or AED 30 a week, issued on TAMM. Holders must be 18 or older.EADProtected in Abu Dhabi: whales, dugongs, dolphins, all sharks and rays, sea turtles, parrotfish, yellowfin hind, red coral and Indo-Pacific sailfish.EADNo fishing in marked no-fishing zones, protected areas, navigation channels, under sea bridges, or near military, oil and residential sites.EADDaily limits, shore angler / boat: kingfish 3 / 12, orange-spotted grouper 2 / 8, cobia 5 / 20, blackspot snapper 10 / 40.EADCatch may not be sold or thrown away while sailing. Show your licence and catch when an inspector asks.EADSpearfishing from a boat: at least three licensed people on board and the international diving flag raised.UAEMinimum legal fish sizes follow Ministerial Resolution No. 580 of 2015.VISIT ABU DHABINylon fishing nets are prohibited. Emperor fish and rabbitfish are closed to fishing during their breeding seasons.VISIT ABU DHABIBest months are October and April for cooler water; fish early morning and late afternoon.DUBAIDubai recreational fishing licences are applied for online through Dubai Municipality: have your Emirates ID, a photo and your boat licence ready.
EADAbu Dhabi recreational fishing licence: AED 120 a year or AED 30 a week, issued on TAMM. Holders must be 18 or older.EADProtected in Abu Dhabi: whales, dugongs, dolphins, all sharks and rays, sea turtles, parrotfish, yellowfin hind, red coral and Indo-Pacific sailfish.EADNo fishing in marked no-fishing zones, protected areas, navigation channels, under sea bridges, or near military, oil and residential sites.EADDaily limits, shore angler / boat: kingfish 3 / 12, orange-spotted grouper 2 / 8, cobia 5 / 20, blackspot snapper 10 / 40.EADCatch may not be sold or thrown away while sailing. Show your licence and catch when an inspector asks.EADSpearfishing from a boat: at least three licensed people on board and the international diving flag raised.UAEMinimum legal fish sizes follow Ministerial Resolution No. 580 of 2015.VISIT ABU DHABINylon fishing nets are prohibited. Emperor fish and rabbitfish are closed to fishing during their breeding seasons.VISIT ABU DHABIBest months are October and April for cooler water; fish early morning and late afternoon.DUBAIDubai recreational fishing licences are applied for online through Dubai Municipality: have your Emirates ID, a photo and your boat licence ready.
VISIT UAE · FISH SAFELY AND LEGALLY
Your licence,
your rules
[Visit Abu Dhabi partner logo, added once permission is granted]
ABU DHABIEAD · APPLY ON TAMMAnnual licence AED 120, weekly AED 30. Holder must be 18+. Carry it and show it on request. Separate daily catch limits for shore and boat anglers.Apply on TAMM
DUBAIDUBAI MUNICIPALITYRecreational licence issued online, annual for residents or weekly for visitors. Emirates ID or passport, photo, and boat licence if fishing from a boat. Fee: [confirm on the DM portal].Visit Dubai guide
SHARJAHFEDERAL RULES + LOCAL PERMITFederal fishing law from MOCCAE applies on every coast. [Confirm the local recreational permit process before your trip].UAE fishing rules
RAS AL KHAIMAHFEDERAL RULES + LOCAL PERMITSame federal protections and minimum sizes. [Confirm the local recreational permit process before your trip].UAE fishing rules
FUJAIRAHFEDERAL RULES + LOCAL PERMITEast coast, Gulf of Oman: deeper water close in. [Confirm the local recreational permit process before your trip].UAE fishing rules
Never keep, never sell
Protected in Abu Dhabi under EAD rules: whales, dugongs, dolphins, all sharks, all rays, sea turtles, corals and red coral, parrotfish, yellowfin hind, and Indo-Pacific sailfish. Release them fast, in the water.
Also in Abu Dhabi: no fishing in marked no-fishing zones, protected areas, navigation channels, under sea bridges, near military, oil or residential sites. No selling or throwing away catch while under way. Minimum sizes follow Ministerial Resolution No. 580 of 2015.
EAD recreational fishing factsheetDaily bag limits (Abu Dhabi)
SPECIESSHOREBOAT
Kingfish312
Orange-spotted grouper (hammour)28
Golden trevally312
Cobia, needlescaled queenfish520
Pickhandle barracuda520
Blackspot snapper1040
Selected rows from the EAD factsheet. Boat limits are per boat.
SAMPLE · WHAT YOUR LICENCE SHOWS · NOT A LICENCE
Recreational fishing licence
TypeAnnual · individual
Holder[Full name]
Emirates ID[ID number]
Licence no.[Number]
Valid[From] to [To]
Issued by[Emirate authority]
Keep a photo on your phone and the original on board.
QR
Five ways onto the water
RENT A BOATBook a licensed charter: the operator covers the fishing licence and safety kit. Check lifejackets for every person, VHF radio, shade and the captain's licence. Half day is about 4 hours, full day about 8.
[Photo: your own centre console]
BUY A BOATRegister the vessel with the emirate's maritime authority (for example Dubai Maritime Authority), hold a skipper's licence, insure it, secure a marina berth, carry the required safety kit, and add your fishing licence.
BUY A JET SKIRegister it and get a rider licence from the maritime authority. Lifejacket and kill-cord always on, launch only from permitted areas, stay clear of swim zones. [Confirm current operating hours in your emirate].
KAYAKLifejacket, whistle, visibility flag, paddle leash, phone in a dry bag. Tell someone your plan. Stay out of channels and marina mouths. Your fishing licence still applies.
SHORELicence needed (Abu Dhabi: AED 120 a year). Designated areas only, never from bridges or channels. Abu Dhabi favourites: Corniche, Al Bateen, Eastern Mangroves, Yas west coast, Saadiyat public beach.
[Google Maps screenshot: shore spots in Dubai]Open Dubai spots in Google Maps
[Google Maps screenshot: shore spots in Abu Dhabi]Open Abu Dhabi spots in Google Maps