On this page, we give you an overview of which species are allowed to hunt underwater with a harpoon, as well as general laws for the use and storage of harpoons in Norway.
Photo: Michael Byø
These species are totally protected for underwater hunting/gathering during diving:
• Lobster
• All anadromous salmonids (salmon, trout etc).
This is permitted:
Hunting with a harpoon, slingshot or lure in saltwater for saltwater fish that are above the applicable minimum/maximum size. The same guidelines apply here as for recreational fishing. Download the app Fritidsfiske from the Directorate of Fisheries for a simple overview of which species are threatened, protected and the current minimum size. Download to from the AppStore or Google Play
These are the most common species for underwater hunting in Norway:
• Cod
• Pollock
• Lyre
• Halibut
• Catfish
• Breiflabb
• Plaice
• Turbot
• Eraserware
• Pockets
• Scrub
• Mountain gilt
Unwanted species and escaped farmed fish
It is not permitted to hunt for escaped farmed fish such as Rainbow Trout, Salmon or Humpback Salmon without approval from the County Governor.
Legislation on the use of harpoons
1. String harpoons for UV hunting are not regulated by the Weapons Act. Pneumatic harpoons, on the other hand, fall under the Weapons Act, and therefore have an age limit of 18 with requirements for proper storage. There is thus no age limit for use, acquisition, registration obligation, requirement for a permit to acquire or possess a string harpoon, nor requirement for proper storage. It will be the same as for a bow and arrow, in other words. Persons under the age of 16 should only use harpoons under the supervision of adults and after proper training and assessment by a guardian.
2. String harpoon is a hand tool, and is therefore legal for use in UV hunting at sea. It also means that foreign nationals can use a string harpoon for UV hunting in Norway, but they are not allowed to sell the catch.
3. It is permissible to use artificial light when UV hunting in the sea for saltwater fish and shellfish, both lanterns to see fish and shellfish, and any spotlights to attract fish
Act on salmon and inland fish
Section 37. Consideration of animal welfare, prohibited measures and fishing and killing methods *
Measures of any kind that have no other purpose than to frighten the fish and prevent its free access are prohibited. Both in the sea and in waterways, it is prohibited to use: to catch, kill or damage fish:
1. Substance with a toxic, paralyzing or suffocating effect
2. Explosives
3. Firearms except for catching pike.
4. Electric current
5. Artificial alteration of the water flow
6. Lures or similar implements with a pointed hook that are not intended to be swallowed by the fish. It is nevertheless permitted to use such gear as an auxiliary gear to take up fish that have been caught with other legal gear.
7. Artificial light, except for eel and crayfish fishing.
The ministry can prohibit other methods of capture and killing.
The Ministry can, in individual cases, dispense with the provisions in the second and third paragraphs.
It is permitted to spear pike in freshwater with the landowner's permission. The county governor's Environmental Protection Department can grant a dispensation to take out escaped farmed salmon in seas and waterways with a harpoon. Diving for freshwater crayfish and river mussels is prohibited.
* This is a relevant extract from the full text of the law