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UAE fishing licence: prices, how to apply and the rules
Updated: September 2026
In short: any recreational fishing in the UAE needs a licence from the emirate you fish in. For visitors, the easiest option is the Abu Dhabi weekly licence for AED 30. Dubai residents get an annual licence for free.
| Emirate | Who can apply | Price | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | Residents and visitors | AED 30 — one week AED 120 — one year | TAMM portal with UAE PASS |
| Dubai | Dubai residents only | Free, valid for 1 year | Dubai Municipality |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Residents | AED 110 | RAK EPDA |
| Sharjah | Residents | Depends on duration and group size | Sharjah Executive Council portal |
| Fujairah | Boat owners | On request | Fujairah Environment Agency |
Abu Dhabi
Licences are issued by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) through the TAMM government portal. You sign in with UAE PASS. Applicants must be 18+; minors can fish together with a licensed adult.
- Weekly licence — AED 30. Open to visitors: upload a copy of your passport when applying.
- Annual licence — AED 120.
The licence arrives by email. Keep it with you while fishing — an inspector may ask to see it.
Dubai
The line-and-hook fishing permit is issued by Dubai Municipality. It's free, valid for one year and renewable on the same terms. Only people who live in Dubai can get it, with proof of residency. Processing takes about three working days.
Shore fishing is allowed in set zones: Khor Al Mamzar, Al Maktoum Bridge (Bur Dubai side), Creek Park and Al Garhoud Bridge (Deira side), and Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim and Al Sufouh beaches. Under-18s can fish without a permit.
Ras Al Khaimah
Recreational licences are issued by the Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA). The fee is AED 110.
Sharjah
Residents apply on the Sharjah Executive Council website under "Recreational Fishing Permits Request". The price depends on the duration and the number of people.
Fujairah
Licences are issued by the Fujairah Environment Agency. The requirements are aimed at boat owners: a boat licence approved by the Ministry of Infrastructure, a previous fishing licence and a no-objection letter from the local fishermen's association. Applicants must be 18+.
Ajman and Umm Al Quwain
Check the exact requirements with the emirate's local authority. Message us and we'll tell you what your trip needs.
Visiting the UAE: 3 legal options
- A licensed charter. The simplest route: the operator's permit covers passengers. Confirm this when you book.
- An Abu Dhabi weekly licence for AED 30 via TAMM, to fish on your own in Abu Dhabi waters.
- Don't shore-fish in Dubai without a licence: visitors can't get a personal permit there, and the fine is AED 500–1,000.
Where you can fish: the official map
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) runs an interactive fishing zones map. Check your spot on it before you go.
Fines
In Dubai, fishing without a licence can cost AED 500–1,000 plus confiscated gear. In Abu Dhabi, a recreational boat exceeding the daily catch limit faces an AED 2,000 fine, and repeat offences can lead to the boat being impounded.
Protected species
In Abu Dhabi you may not catch, sell or keep: sharks and rays of all kinds, parrotfish, painted sweetlips, yellow grouper, seahorses, sea turtles, whales, dolphins, dugongs, corals and red coral. Your catch is for personal use only — selling it is illegal. Some species have minimum sizes and seasonal bans.
Sources
- TAMM: Abu Dhabi weekly licence
- TAMM: Abu Dhabi annual licence
- Dubai Municipality
- MOCCAE fishing zones map
Rules change. We keep this page updated, but the emirate's authority always has the final word.