Fishing licenses

Q: What licenses for sea fishing can I buy in the Republic of Croatia?

A: In the Republic of Croatia, two types of licenses for sea fishing can be purchased for:

– SPORT FISHING

– RECREATIONAL fishing

The license is issued to one person who is the exclusive user of the license and is not transferable. The issued license contains personal data about the licensee and is not transferable to another person.

 

Q: Is it possible to fish without a license in the Republic of Croatia?

A: Sport or recreational fishing at sea may only be done with a daily, multi-day, or annual permit for sport fishing at sea. Exceptionally, persons under the age of 14 are allowed to engage in recreational fishing with one single line, with or without the use of a rod.

 

Q: How are licenses for SPORTS fishing issued in the Republic of Croatia?

A: Licenses for sport fishing are issued in electronic form from the competent Ministry of Fisheries and sold to the Croatian Association for sport fishing through its members as clubs for fishing.

 

Q: How are licenses for RECREATIONAL Fishing issued in the Republic of Croatia?

A: Recreational fishing licenses are issued by the Ministry of Fisheries Administration and other legal entities (companies, agencies, associations, clubs, etc.) that are authorized to do so by the competent ministry and the Fisheries Administration.

 

Q: What is the difference between a SPORTS fishing license and a RECREATIONAL fishing license?

A: With both licenses certain fishing equipment can be used and prescribed. The main reason is the fact that the license for sport fishing may use a speargun. It is not possible to use a speargun with a license for RECREATIONAL fishing. Thus, the license for sport fishing can be used speargun and all the tools that have a license for recreational fishing.

 

Q: What tools can be used with a SPORT fishing license?

A: The following fishing tools and equipment may be used with a multi-day or annual SPORTS fishing license:

maximum of two (2) fishing lines (free hook), (in Croatian: ODMET);

maximum of two (2) fishing lines (in Croatian: KANČENICA);

maximum of two (2) downriggers / trolling fishing lines (in Croatian: PANULA);

maximum two (2) trolling lines, with hooks on each line for catching Cephalopods;

up to two (2) pieces of a large seaworm trap;

maximum of two underwater spearguns;

Q: What tools can be used with a RECREATIONAL fishing license?

A: The following fishing tools and equipment may be used with a multi-day or annual license for RECREATIONAL fishing:

maximum of two (2) fishing lines (free hook), (in Croatian: ODMET);

maximum of two (2) fishing lines (in Croatian: KANČENICA);

maximum of two (2) downriggers / trolling fishing lines (in Croatian: PANULA);

maximum two (2) trolling lines, with hooks on each line for catching Cephalopods;

up to two (2) pieces of a large seaworm trap;

 

Q: Are there some conditions before buying a special annual license for fishing?

A: The specific annual license can be bought only for those who have already previously issued an annual license for sport or recreational fishing license. Persons who buy an annual SPORTS license or a RECREATIONAL fishing license by March 1 of the current calendar year may purchase a special annual license by the end of the current calendar year. Persons who do not have an annual fishing license cannot purchase a special annual fishing license with certain tools and equipment.

Q: Can other fishing gear or equipment be used with the ANNUAL license?

A: Special annual licenses for additional fishing tools and equipment can be purchased with the owner of the ANNUAL license for Sport or Recreational fishing at sea. Annual licenses for special fishing tools and equipment cannot be purchased with a daily or multi-day license.

Q: Which license has the most fishing tools and equipment?

A: Holders of licensed sport fishing at sea, in addition to fishing tools and equipment that can be used with a license for SPORT fishing, can fish with speargun (up to two (2) in total), and owners of annual licenses for sport fishing at sea have the right to purchase an annual special fishing license for big fish.

Q: For which period can you buy a fishing license?

A: A fishing license can be purchased for one (1), three (3), seven (7), and exceptionally 150 days, and in a certain period an annual license. 150-day licenses are issued exceptionally and can be an extraordinary change in the regulations of the competent ministry of the Fisheries Administration. Annual licenses are issued from December 1 to March 1 each year. After March 1, it is no longer possible to purchase a license for the current calendar year.

Q: Are there separate licenses for additional fishing tools and equipment?

A: In addition to a SPORTS license or a RECREATIONAL fishing license, there are special annual licenses for other fishing tools and equipment. These are licenses for one or more standing long lines with a total of up to 100 hooks, fishing for up to three (3) pieces, a license to use artificial lighting, a license to fish with axes (1 hand axle with a handle) and fishing tools for large fish. big game fishing).

Q: How is the duration of a SPORTS license or a RECREATIONAL fishing license calculated?

A: The commencement and termination of the right to engage in sport or recreational fishing is determined by the period for which the license is issued as follows:

licenses for one day from 00.00 hours to 24.00 hours of the date for which the license is valid,

licenses for three days and seven days from 00.00 hours of the first date to 24.00 hours of the last date and

annual licenses until 24.00 on December 31 of the calendar year for which it was issued.

Q: Are the licenses for SPORTS or licenses for RECREATIONAL fishing valid in the entire territory of the territorial sea of ​​the Republic of Croatia?

A: Yes, they are valid in almost the entire area of ​​the territorial sea of ​​the Republic of Croatia. Exceptionally, licenses for SPORTS or RECREATIONAL fishing are not valid in parts of the sea protected in the category of the national park, special reserve, and nature park under the act of the public institution that manages the protected area. Fishing in areas protected under nature protection regulations in the categories of national park, special reserve, and nature park may be carried out by a fisherman with a special license issued by the institution that manages the protected nature area. Additional restrictions on the manner of fishing, characteristics, and quantity of fishing gear for sport and recreational fishing in protected nature areas are prescribed by a special act within the competence of the ministry responsible for nature protection. It is very rarely prescribed that sport and recreational fishing at sea is not allowed to be carried out in places determined by a decision of the local self-government or concessionaire.

Q: Can the license be returned to the Fisheries Administration if it has not been used or is subject to certain conditions?

A: Unfortunately, it can't. All types of fishing or recreational fishing licenses are considered to be purchases of "goods made to consumer specifications" which means non-prefabricated goods made based on an individual choice or decision by the consumer. This means that when purchasing any kind of license for sport or recreational fishing at sea, an exemption from the consumer's right of withdrawal is governed by the DIRECTIVE 2011/83 / EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL of 25 October 2011 on consumer rights and can be viewed in the official languages of the EU Member States –link.

Q: Is it allowed with a SPORTS license or a RECREATIONAL fishing license to hunt for big fish (Big Game Fishing)?

A: Big fishing is only allowed with a special license to fish big fish in SPORTS fishing. Recreational fishing is not allowed to hunt big fish and will not be issued a license to hunt big fish in recreational fishing. When purchasing an annual SPORTS license for big fish fishing, the prerequisite is to have an annual license for SPORTS fishing at sea.

Q: What is the best buy or the most cost-effective license?

A: The most profitable is the ANNUAL license for sport fishing at sea. With the SPORT fishing license, you have the right to all tools as in recreational fishing, but also the use of an underwater rifle. Furthermore, only with this permit can you buy an annual permit for sport fishing for big fish until March 1st. You can also purchase other special annual licenses for additional tools. By purchasing a SPORTS license, the club membership fee is also included in the price, which enables the development of the club and this sport in the Republic of Croatia through the National Association for Sport Fishing in the Republic of Croatia.