Regulations for recreational sea fishing for tourists in Norway
Welcome to your fishing holiday in Norway! The coastal fish stocks in Norway are under pressure and we need to increase our efforts to ensure that future generations will also be able to enjoy fishing as a sport or recreation in Norway. The fish in the sea are free for all, but we have a goal to safeguard fish stocks for the future. You are therefore very welcome to fish for free in Norwegian sea waters, provided that you follow a set of simple rules:
- Foreign tourists may only use handheld tackle when fishing in the sea. Tourists are not permitted to make use of nets, pots, traps, lines etc.
- Tourists are permitted to take up to 15 kg of fish and one (whole) trophy fish out of the country. Freshwater fish such as salmon, trout and char are exempt from the 15 kg limit.
- You must keep a distance of more than 100 metres from the closest fish farm when fishing. All boat traffic shall keep a distance of at least 20 metres from fish farms and moorings for fish farms.
- Foreign tourists are not permitted to sell the fish they catch.
- Comply with the regulations for minimum size of fish.
The Directorate of Fisheries is happy to answer any questions in English, Russian or Norwegian. Contact at info@fiskeridir.no.
Minimum sizes for fishing by tourists
With effect from 1 January 2010, all those fishing in the sea in Norway must follow the minimum fish size regulations. The objective of these regulations is to allow small fish to survive so that they can mature enough to reproduce.
If you catch a fish which is smaller than the minimum size, you must wet your hands with sea water and carefully free the fish from the fishing tackle then release it back to sea. If the fish is dead or not capable of surviving, you can keep it to eat. In order to avoid catching a number of fish under the minimum size, you can for example move to a new fishing area or try using larger fish hooks.
A complete table of minimum fish sizes is provided at the end of this article. We have compiled our own brochures containing information on minimum fish sizes in Norwegian, Russian, English, German, Polish and Czech. You can order these brochures by sending an email to info@fiskeridir.no.
King crab and coastal seal hunting
Tourists are not permitted to take part directly in catching king crab.
Tourists with an approved marksman license are permitted under certain conditions to take part in seal hunting on the coast, together with Norwegian citizens.
Enquire at your place of accommodation whether they have necessary quotas and permits if you want to take part in king crab fishing and coastal seal hunting.
Download for more information about fishing and safety at sea in Norway
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