When Is Fishing Closed in Kuwait?

People often ask: is fishing closed in Kuwait at certain times of the year? The short answer is that most recreational shore angling stays open, but there are real seasonal closures and rules you should know — the most important being the shrimp season. Breaking them costs more than a fine; gear can be confiscated. It is worth a minute of your time to understand the rules.

Shrimp season: Kuwait's biggest closure

Shrimp are protected during their breeding period. The closure starts in February and runs until the end of August, and the season officially reopens at the start of September. During the closed period, catching shrimp by any method — nets or lines, commercial or recreational — is banned. When the season opens, the fleet heads out at once, because early autumn is the peak of Kuwait's famous shrimp season.

Permanent bans all year round

• Protected species: sea turtles, marine mammals, and whale sharks may not be caught or harmed in any way. If one ends up on your line by accident, release it immediately.
• Netting near shore: certain distances from the beach are off-limits to trawling, to protect juvenile fish and swimmers.
• Nature reserves: parts of Kuwait Bay and areas around some islands require a permit or are fully closed to fishing.

Recreational rules that apply to you

Shore angling as a hobby is generally allowed without a licence, but fishing commercially from a boat or using nets requires a permit from the responsible authority. There are also minimum sizes: if you land an undersized fish, put it back — it is next season's stock.

Where to check the official rules

Regulations are updated regularly, so trust only the official source. The Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources publishes season and closure decisions periodically on its official channels. Local fishermen's groups are helpful, but good intentions do not matter if the official decision says otherwise.

To plan your trips, the B7R app includes a seasons calendar that gives you a feel for what is being caught each period — when shrimp is open and when certain species are active — so you go to sea knowing what to expect.

And if you catch something you suspect is protected, take a photo and contact the authority rather than making the call yourself. Keeping your catches in the B7R app's fishing log also helps you notice the fishing seasons with your own eyes over time.