Spearfishing on Elba Island: rules and advice

The transparency of the water, the variety of the seabed and the rocky shape of the coastline make Elba Island a particularly interesting destination for freediving spearfishing enthusiasts. Along the island’s coastline there are submerged cliffs, rockfalls, mixed seabeds, shoals and Posidonia meadows. These environments may be home to seabream, mullet, salema, common dentex, greater amberjack, European seabass, groupers and several other typical Mediterranean species.

However, spearfishing requires good physical preparation, experience and precise knowledge of the rules. It must not be confused with ordinary scuba diving: fishing may be practised exclusively while freediving, without using tanks or other auxiliary breathing apparatus.

Where to go spearfishing on Elba

Elba’s coastline features very different environments, but no area is suitable in every season and in all sea conditions.

The generally most interesting seabeds are: rocky coasts and submerged rockfalls, transitions between rock, sand and Posidonia, headlands and promontories, coastal shoals, mixed seabeds, areas affected by currents and the presence of baitfish.

The western and southern coasts feature many rocky stretches and seabeds that become deep very quickly in some places. Cliffs, promontories and areas suitable for diving can also be found along the eastern and northern sides. These indications only describe the general characteristics of the coastline. Before entering the water, you must check that fishing is permitted in the chosen area and that it is sufficiently far from busy beaches, harbours, navigation routes and protected areas. You must also assess the wind, currents, swell, visibility and the possibility of leaving the water easily.

Which fish can be encountered

The species present depend on the season, seabed, depth and sea conditions. During a freediving fishing session in the waters around Elba, you may encounter: seabream, mullet, salema, saddled seabream, European seabass, gilthead seabream, common dentex, greater amberjack, groupers, brown meagre, conger eels, moray eels and cephalopods.

Not all species may be freely caught, and some are subject to minimum sizes, specific limits, protection periods or absolute bans. Before diving, it is therefore essential to know which species are protected and to be able to identify the specimens present correctly.

Main techniques

The technique should be chosen according to the fisher’s experience, the depth, visibility and the behaviour of the fish.

Waiting technique

With the waiting technique, the fisher reaches the seabed and remains still, attempting to attract the fish’s curiosity. This technique requires breath-hold control, calmness and a good ability to read the seabed. It can be practised near rocks, drop-offs and passages frequented by predators.

Stalking technique

Stalking involves approaching the fish while using rocks, vegetation and irregularities in the seabed to remain hidden. Movements must be slow and controlled, avoiding noise and vibrations. This technique is particularly suitable for the rocky and mixed seabeds commonly found along Elba’s coastline.

Fishing in holes

Fishing in holes involves observing cracks, cavities and sheltered areas among the rocks. Before approaching, you must carefully assess the shape of the seabed, avoiding narrow passages or entering cavities from which it would be difficult to escape. Rocks must not be damaged, and the same hole should not be disturbed repeatedly.

Drop technique

The drop technique is practised by descending slowly towards a fish spotted from above. It requires sufficiently clear water, good buoyancy control and the ability to stop the descent immediately when conditions are not favourable.

What is the best time of year

Spearfishing on Elba can be practised at different times of the year, adapting the wetsuit, depth and duration of the dives to the water temperature.

Spring: In spring, the water gradually begins to warm up and the activity of many coastal species increases. However, the temperature may remain low, especially at depth, so it is important to use suitable thermal protection.

Summer: Summer offers warmer water and generally good visibility, but it is also the season with the highest number of swimmers and boats. It is preferable to enter the water early in the morning, choosing areas away from busy beaches and main boating routes.

Autumn: Autumn is often one of the most interesting periods. The water retains some of the summer heat, while boat traffic and crowds along the coast decrease. During this season, pelagic fish and predators may approach coastal seabeds.

Winter: Spearfishing is also possible during favourable winter days, but experience, suitable equipment and particular attention to the cold are required. Dives should be shorter and adapted to your physical condition.

How to choose the right side of the island

The shape of Elba Island often makes it possible to find a more sheltered side in relation to the wind direction. With mistral, westerly or south-westerly winds, the western and north-western coasts are generally more exposed. With easterly and south-easterly winds, the eastern and south-eastern sides may be more affected.

This guidance does not replace an assessment of the actual conditions. Even a coastline that appears sheltered may be affected by currents, residual swell or gusts caused by promontories.

Before entering the water, check:

• wind direction and strength;
• wave height and direction;
• currents;
• visibility;
• forecast developments;
• entry and exit points;
• the possible presence of boats.

Necessary equipment

The equipment must be suitable for the season, the depth and the fisher’s experience.

It normally includes:

• mask;
• snorkel;
• fins;
• wetsuit;
• weight belt;
• gloves;
• booties;
• marker buoy or float board;
• the flag required for divers;
• a suitable speargun;
• an easily accessible knife;
• depth gauge or freediving computer;
• a container or stringer for the catch.

The weights must allow balanced buoyancy and must not make the ascent difficult. The speargun must only be loaded in the water and unloaded before leaving it. It must never be pointed at people, boats or unidentified targets.

Buoy and fisher identification

Anyone practising spearfishing must clearly signal their presence with a buoy or float board displaying the red flag with a diagonal white stripe.

The fisher must remain within a radius of 50 metres from the vertical line of the marker. The buoy must be clearly visible even in the presence of waves and must not be abandoned or left too far from the diving point. A sufficiently large float board can be useful for carrying part of the equipment and making the fisher more visible to boats.

The buoy does not eliminate the risk of being struck by a boat. It is therefore necessary to pay constant attention to engine noise and approaching vessels.

Safety while freediving

The most important rule is never to practise spearfishing alone. A partner must monitor the dive from the surface and be ready to intervene. Fishers should dive alternately, always maintaining visual contact.

It is also important to:

• avoid hyperventilating before diving;
• allow sufficient recovery time;
• not prolong a breath-hold to reach a fish;
• stop descending if equalisation becomes difficult;
• not dive when tired, dehydrated or after drinking alcohol;
• check sea conditions regularly;
• avoid depths beyond your capabilities;
• save enough energy for the return;
• not rely solely on the freediving computer.

Depth and duration must not become a competition. Catching a fish must always remain secondary to safety.

Shore-based fishing and fishing with a support boat

Spearfishing can begin from the shore or be practised using a support boat. When starting from land, it is important to choose an access point that allows you to enter and leave the water easily even if sea conditions change. Unstable cliffs, particularly slippery rocks and stretches from which it would be difficult to climb out should be avoided.

When using a support boat, it is necessary to comply with navigation rules, keep the diver marker clearly visible and entrust the vessel to someone able to follow the fisher’s movements. The engine must be used with extreme caution and must never be brought close to the fisher while they are underwater.

Main rules

Recreational spearfishing is permitted only while freediving and without the use of auxiliary breathing apparatus. A speargun may only be used by persons who are at least 16 years old.

Fishing is prohibited from sunset to sunrise. It is not permitted to cross an area frequented by swimmers while carrying a loaded speargun.

The prescribed distances must also be respected from:

• beaches frequented by swimmers;
• fixed fishing installations;
• anchored ships;
• harbours and their entrances;
• normal navigation routes;
• areas where fishing is prohibited.

Distances, catch limits, minimum sizes, protected species and registration requirements are explained on the main page dedicated to recreational fishing on Elba Island.

Before every fishing session, it is nevertheless necessary to check the latest MASAF provisions and the ordinances of the Portoferraio Harbour Master’s Office.

Where spearfishing is prohibited on Elba

Dives must take place at least 500 metres from beaches frequented by swimmers and 100 metres from fixed fishing installations and ships anchored outside harbours. Fishing must also not be practised along harbour entrances or in areas affected by the regular passage of boats.

A particularly important ban applies to the Scoglietto di Portoferraio biological protection area, which includes the waters facing the beaches of Ghiaie and Viste.

Important information about Pianosa: fishing is prohibited in the waters surrounding the island, up to one nautical mile from the coast. The area is part of Zone 1 of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.

What may be caught

The fisher must respect the overall daily limit of 5 kilograms (unless there is a single fish weighing more than 5 kg; only in this case may the spearfisher exceed the total catch weight), the minimum sizes and any rules established for each species. In recreational spearfishing, the collection of corals, crustaceans and molluscs is not permitted, with the exception of cephalopods within the limits established by law.

It is not permitted to catch, keep, transport or sell undersized fish or juvenile fish, reptiles and mammals such as turtles and dolphins, sharks or protected species. More restrictive limits may apply to certain species. Before keeping a catch, you must be certain of its identification and that it may legally be taken.

For recreational fishers, sea urchin harvesting is permitted:

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

It is, however, prohibited:

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

Responsible fishing

The richness of Elba’s seabed must also be protected through responsible behaviour.

It is advisable to:

• take only fish intended for consumption;
• avoid young specimens;
• not target the same holes repeatedly;
• not damage rocks or the seabed;
• not disturb species that are not being fished;
• collect any fishing lines or waste encountered;
• avoid all unnecessary contact with Posidonia;
• end the fishing session once a reasonable catch has been reached.

Fish caught during a sporting or recreational activity may not be sold.