Fishing & Spearfishing in Croatia re: License

[shan]

I would like to use a rod, a hand-reel and a speargun for a spot of fishing in Croatia. I am aware I need a license. The most suitable seems to be the License for Sport Fisheries but apparently, I need to have an HSSRM membership card. I can't seem to find any information as to the cost or how to get a membership card. Anyone had any experience with this?

 

[Metabarca]

Here's a site with all the information you need. It's in Italian but you can click the little union jack at the top and it'll give you a Google translation; good enough, I think.

http://www.blufishing.com/il-permesso-pesca-in-mare-in-croazia/

 

[shan]

Thanks but it doesn't tell me how to get the HSSRM membership card. I have emailed them so, lets hope they respond.

 

[shan]

HSSRM did not respond but this is what I have found out:

"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).

RECREATIONAL FISHING ON THE SEA​

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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 these offices.
[h=2]Prices for Recreational Fishing[/h]Daily licenses and licenses for more days cost:

• 60Kn - one day
• 150Kn - three days
• 300Kn - seven days
• 700Kn - 30 days

[h=2]Prices for Big Game Fishing[/h]Licenses for BIG-GAME fishing cost:

• 120Kn - one day
• 200Kn - three days
• 600Kn - seven days
• 1500Kn - 30 days

[h=2]Further Regulations[/h]Maximum allowed daily catch is 5 kg of fish and marine organisms for recreational fishing.
Fishing tools and gear which are allowed to use in RECREATIONAL fishing:

1. maximum two fishing lines, with max. 3 hooks on each line (in Croatian: ODMET);
2. maximum two fishing lines, with max. 3 hooks on each line (in Croatian: KANČENICA);
3. maximum two trolling fishing lines, with max. 3 hooks on each line (in Croatian: PANULA);
4. maximum two trolling lines, with hooks on each line for catching Cephalopods;

Fishing tools and gear which are allowed to use in BIG GAME fishing:

1. maximum two fishing rods with reels, with maximum two hooks per rod;

Maximum daily catch is one piece of bluefin tuna or spearfish or swordfish with obligated checking-in of the catch to the Fisheries Directorate (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development)
[h=2]SPORTS FISHING ON THE SEA[/h]
There are several kinds of fishing licenses:
-yearly;
- daily;
- license for more days.
Licenses are valid only with membership certificate of the Croatian Sport Sea Fishing Association(Hrvatski savez za športski ribolov na moru) or membership certificate of an equivalent foreign association. The Croatian Sport Sea Fishing Association also sells the licenses.

Fishing tools and gear which are allowable in SPORTS fishing for periods under one year:

1. maximum two fishing lines, with max. 3 hooks on each line (in Croatian: ODMET);
2. maximum two fishing lines, with max. 3 hooks on each line (in Croatian: KANČENICA);
3. maximum two downriggers/trolling fishing lines , with max. 3 hooks on each line (in Croatian: PANULA);
4. maximum two underwater spear guns;

Additional fishing tools and gear are allowable with a YEARLY SPORTS LICENSE (Croatian and foreign citizens with permanent stay in Croatia).
Spear fishermen must move in and under the water only with his own strength (no artificial power devices allowed). Using of devices which enable underwater breathing (diving gear) is not allowed in underwater fishing. Underwater fishing is allowed during daylight from sun-rise until sundown with obligate usage of diving buoy. Using of underwater lamp is allowed."

Source: http://www.croatiatraveller.com/SpecialInterests/Sea-Regulations.html

The Sports Fishing License (cost is cheaper than buying a separate fishing license & a speargun license) & HSSRM membership fee (50KN) can be bought online here: http://mps.hr/ribarstvo/default.aspx?id=425

Hopefully, this helps anyone else wanting to do the same.