Amateur Sea Fishing

Spear-fishing (without aqualung) angling, fishing with vertical lines or trolling are the permitted methods for which no licence is required.

Special (sport) fishing licences are required by law for those fishermen who use:
1. Boats and fishing-nets, longlines and traps,
2. Spearguns with an aqualung
3. Spearguns with lights at night-without aqualung
4. Nets without a boat.

The licences have several conditions attached to them that regulate the gear used, the days, the licencees are allowed to fish and in certain cases (spearguns with aqualung and fishing at night with light), the allowable catches for each fishing trip.
Species of fish which can be caught: sea-breams, groupers, amber jacks, sea-perch etc.

Further information from the Cyprus Association of Free Spearfishing
Tel: 357 22 59 12 02,
Fax: 357 22 59 12 03.

Fishing boats can be found at the following fishing shelters and stations:

Paphos District
Paphos Harbour: Paphos town
Agios Georgios Pegeias: 20 km, north-west of Paphos town
Polis (Lakki/Latsi): 40 km, north of Paphos town
Pomos: 16 km, north of Polis

Lefkosia District
Kato Pyrgos: 40 km, north of Polis

Limassol District
Limassol Old Port: Limassol centre
Pissouri anchorage: Limassol-Paphos Road
Melounta anchorage: Limassol-Paphos Road

Larnaca District
Zygi - Vasilikos anchorage: Off the Limassol-Lefkosia highway-exit 16
Larnaca fishing shelter: east of Larnaca International Airport
Ormideia - “Romantzo”: 16 km, east of Larnaca

Famagusta District
Potamos Liopetriou: 16 km, west of Agia Napa (Xylofagou)
Agia Napa Harbour: Agia Napa Village
Fishing: Shelter of Paralimni (Protaras)
Agia Trias: Fishing shelter (Paralimni)

Fresh Water Fishing

Fresh water fishing in the reservoirs of Cyprus can be an idyllic way to spend a day, isolated for hours in the silence of paradise itself.

There are 21 reservoirs with scenic landscapes were anglers can fish for 17 different varieties. Float, ledger and pole fishing are most popular, the carp fight hard but can be caught as close as a rods length from the bank in summer, but move to deeper water in the winter.

Fishing Licences can be obtained from The Fisheries Department who have offices in all towns. Licences are issued on provision of full name, date of birth and passport number, to people over 12 years old and to the named individual. They cost CY£13 for one reservoir, CY£16 for two and CY£19 for three. All Licences expire on 31st. December of the year of issue.

Fishing is allowed one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset and restricted to fishing from the banks of the reservoir.