Sport fishing on Isola d'Elba

Amateur sport fishing in the sea around Isola d’Elba is a very popular activity, both among beginners and more experienced anglers. The variety of seabeds and the richness of the marine environment make the island an interesting destination for those who enjoy fishing from the shore, from a boat or while freediving.

However, the activity must be practised in compliance with national regulations, ordinances issued by the Harbour Master's Office, any local restrictions and the rules governing protected species or species subject to conservation plans.

Pay attention to the rules: sport fishing at sea is subject to specific regulations. In particular:
• the maximum catch is normally 5 kg per person per day, except in the case of a single specimen weighing more;
• the sale of catches obtained through sport or recreational fishing is prohibited;
• specific authorisations and catch reporting requirements apply to certain species, such as bluefin tuna;
• from 2026, new provisions are in force for the registration and reporting of recreational fishing activities;
• on 29 May 2026, the new system of penalties established by Law No. 75 of 21 April 2026 enters into force.
Before fishing, it is always advisable to check the latest provisions with the competent Harbour Master's Office.

Mandatory registration for sport fishing at sea

To practise sport or recreational fishing at sea in Italy, it is necessary to submit the notification to MASAF through the SIAN  – National Agricultural Information System and have the relevant certificate, commonly referred to as the sport and recreational fishing card, which is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. 

In addition, individuals over the age of 16 who practise underwater fishing or fish using recreational craft must also register with the European RecFishing electronic system. Those who fish exclusively from shore are not subject to the additional RecFishing requirement, but must still comply with the SIAN notification requirement.”

During the transitional phase, until 31 December 2026, the provision requiring the “Fishing Session” to be opened at the same time as the fishing trip begins is suspended.

However, for all fishermen concerned, the registration and declaration of catches — including accidental catches or catches followed by release — of the species listed in MASAF Directorial Decree No. 0194803 of 27 April 2026 remains mandatory: bluefin tuna, swordfish, albacore tuna, mahi-mahi.

Where fishing is not permitted on Elba

Fishing is not permitted in any port area. Fishing is also prohibited in the waters off Ghiaie beach and Viste beach, which are part of the Scoglietto biological protection zone, established by Ministerial Decree of 10 August 1971.

During the bathing season, in accordance with the bathing safety ordinance, any type of fishing other than underwater fishing governed by specific regulations is prohibited in the stretches of sea within 200 metres of beaches and 100 metres of sheer cliffs, between 9:00 am and 7:00 pm. Exceptions include rod fishing from small piers and natural or artificial rocky areas where no bathers are present, and the use of a hand rake while on foot, in compliance with the applicable restrictions. The use of a rake is nevertheless prohibited on public holidays.

Pay attention to Pianosa: fishing is prohibited in the waters around the island up to one mile from the coastline. The area is classified as zone 1 of the Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago Toscano.

What you can catch and catch limits

Sport fishermen may not catch more than 5 kg in total of fish, molluscs and crustaceans per day, except in the case of a single fish weighing more.

In sport underwater fishing, collecting corals, crustaceans and molluscs (except cephalopods) is prohibited. It is not permitted to catch, keep, transport or sell undersized fish or juvenile fish, reptiles and mammals (such as turtles and dolphins), protected species or species subject to specific prohibitions or conservation measures. Before keeping a catch, it is necessary to correctly identify the species and check the regulations in force.

For sport fishermen, sea urchin harvesting is permitted:

• only while freediving;
• by hand;
• without the use of a boat;
• a maximum of 50 sea urchins per day;
• only specimens with a total diameter, including spines, greater than 7 cm;

It is, however, prohibited:

• during the months of May and June
• in marine protected areas.

No more than one grouper may be caught per day; for bluefin tuna and other species subject to specific regulations, it is necessary to obtain information from the Harbour Master's Office or consult the official MASAF provisions.

Ban on the sale of catches

Any form of sale or trade of catches obtained through sport or recreational fishing is prohibited. Anyone offering for sale or marketing products from non-professional fishing may face an administrative fine of between 4,000 and 12,000 euros.

Commercial businesses that purchase catches in breach of the regulations are also subject to suspension of their activity for 5 to 10 working days.

Penalties for exceeding catch limits

Exceeding the daily catch limit entails substantial administrative penalties. Without prejudice to the standard limit of 5 kg in total per person per day, except in the case of a single fish weighing more, the regulations provide for:

• from 500 to 3,000 euros for quantities over 5 kg and up to 10 kg;
• from 2,000 to 12,000 euros for quantities over 10 kg and up to 50 kg;
• from 12,000 to 50,000 euros for quantities over 50 kg.

Law No. 75/2026 provides for penalties of between 1,000 and 3,000 euros for violations of the regulations on sport, recreational and underwater fishing.

Penalties are increased by one third if the violation concerns species subject to recovery plans or bluefin tuna. In addition to financial penalties, the supplementary penalties provided for by law may also apply, including, where applicable, confiscation of the catch and equipment used in breach of the regulations in force.

Useful links

For up-to-date information, it is always advisable to consult official sources:

Harbour Master's Office – Coast Guard;
MASAF, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry;
Bathing safety ordinance of the Portoferraio Harbour Master's Office.