Fishing from the shore: what you need to be aware of

Fishing licence for the Mallorcan coast: all you need to know

To help you get the most out of inshore fishing, we have listed all the important rules and regulations. Here is an overview of everything you need to know.

Coastal fishing licence

You can buy a fishing licence from any large fishing shop, such as Bazar Las Palmeras, or from the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture - just search for FOGAIBA (Fondo de Garantía Agraria y Pesquera de las Islas Baleares) on Google, which is available in several towns on the island.

The cost is 16.21 euros if you want it in paper form and 26.21 euros at the fishing shop or office as it is issued in cheque card format. All you need is an identity card and the given price. The licence is valid for three years from the date of purchase.

There are several websites on the internet where you can order your licence in advance. It usually costs around 70 euros, but is usually sent directly to you by e-mail within a few days.

Nature reserves and their regulations

All nature reserves: https://www.caib.es/sites/reservesmarines/es/las_reservas_marinas_en_las_illes_balears-850/

With a few exceptions, fishing is allowed in the nature reserves, but you should be aware that different minimum sizes apply in there. The minimum sizes are easy to find on the internet. There are also different limits on the catch of certain fish.

Fish of which only one specimen may be taken per day and per angler:

• Seabass  (Dicentrarchus labrax)

• Brown Wrasse   (Labrus merula)

• Zebra seabream  (Diplodus cervinus)

• Green Wrasse   (Labrus viridis)

• John Dory  (Zeus faber)

• Red Scorpionfish   (Scorpaena scrofa)

• All Grouper Species  (Epinephelus spp., Mycteroperca rubra)

• Gilthead seabream  (Sparus aurata)

• Common Dentex  (Dentex dentex)

• Brown meagre  (Sciaena umbra)

Off with the tail

Certain species of fish should be marked to prevent illegal sales. These are

• Greater Amberjack (Seriola Dumerili)

• John Dory (Zeus Faber)

• Common Dentex (Dentex Dentex)

• Red Scorpionfish (Scorpaena Scrofa)

• All Grouper species (Epinephelus spp.)

• Brown meagre (Sciaena Umbra)

• Shi drum (Umbrina Cirrosa).

The lower part of the tail fin of these species must be cut off after the catch if the fish is to be taken for consumption.

Beware - poisonous!

No matter what type of fishing you do, it is always possible to catch a species of weever.

• Lesser Weever (Echiichthys vipera)

• Greater Weever (Trachinus draco)

• Starry-Weever (Trachinus radiatus)

• Spotted Weever (Trachinus araneus)

The venom is in the first few spines on the back. t is worth looking at photos of them before a fishing holiday. The protein-based venom does not tolerate heat, so the only thing that will help is to treat the affected area with something hot, at least 45 degrees Celsius.

Taking painkillers is not recommended as they will not help and react badly with the venom. However, the fish tastes very good and is a welcome guest in the kitchen when fried in butter and egg. Almost all Mediterranean fish are suitable for cooking.

The most famous inedible fish is probably the salema-porgy, whose food, poisonous algae, can cause drug-like hallucinations after consumption. Because it settles in the meat.

So good luck at the water and come and visit us on board sometime!