Fishing & diving

FISHING IN DALMATIA

In Croatia there are two different kinds of fishing/angling on the sea: recreational and sports fishing/angling. A fishing license is required whether you fish from the shore or from the boat. To buy the license you must show ID such as an identity card or passport. Both recreational and sports fishing are prohibited in harbors and small ports and on public beaches and bathing places from May 1st until October 1st.
Fishing is also prohibited in special reserves, estuaries of the river Dragonja, Mirna, Raša, Riječina, Zrmanja, Jadro, Žrnovnica, Cetina, Neretva and Rijeka Dubrovačka, as well in the Lim channel, Medulin bay and bay Klimno on the island Krk. Fishing in the areas of National nature parks Brijuni, Kornati and Mljet is regulated by special legislative (Nature protection Law).

There are several kinds of fishing licenses:
– yearly;
– daily;
– license for more days;
– license for fishing of bluefin tuna, sailfish and swordfish (Big Game)

Yearly licenses are only available for Croatians and foreigners with a permanent residence in Croatia. Daily licenses, licenses for more days and Big Game licenses are issued in the Harbour master’s offices.

FISHING LICENCE
Licence for recreate (not professional) fishing can be bought in Ministry of sea or Harbour offices. Electronic licence: www.mps.hr/ribarstvo. Please mind that many protected animals live in Adriatic sea: Dolphin, the Mediterranean monk seal – locally called Morski Čovik, turtle, seahorse, shell Prstac, starfish (Asterina, Ophidiaster ophidianus), red coral etc. Penalties are from 2.500.-eur to 13.500.-eur.

 

DIVING IN ADRIATIC SEA

Diving in Croatia as an adventure vacation has exploded in popularity the last 10 years even though diving clubs and courses have been on the Croatian coast since the 1950s. You’ll now find diving clubs and centres on nearly every Croatian island as well as dozens of coastal towns. Croatia’s underwater treasures include wrecks, coral reefs, caves and endless schools of fish.

The best diving in Croatia tends to be in comparatively deep water; beginning divers need to choose carefully. The sea is shallowest around the Istrian coast (at around 50m) but becomes progressively deeper the further south you go. The deepest point is around Jabuka island (70km northwest of Vis Island) where the water is as deep as 1300m.
First of all you need a Croatian diving permit in order to dive legally in Croatia. It costs around 15.-eur and can be obtained from dive centres and dive clubs on presentation of your passport and diving certification card. It’s valid for a year.
Even with a general permit, you need a special permit to dive in the Kornati Islands National Park, Mljet National Park and a number of other locations. The cost (15.-eur) and paperwork of the permit is handled by the dive club organising the dive. The diving season runs from May through November. Don’t hesitate to dive in September and October; the water is still warm and the crowds are much less. Summer water temperatures range from 22°C to 25°C at the surface but drop to 19°C below 12m.

DIVING LICENCE
Possible only with diving licence (CMAS,PADi,SSI,NAUI,NASDS,YMCA etc.). We kindly recommend to have diving course in one of many licensed diving schools. Diving is prohibited in most of the areas (near marinas, in national parks, in protected Cultural areas etc.). Penalties are up to 2.000EUR.