The waters surrounding St. Maarten, St. Martin, and neighboring islands are some of the Caribbean’s most vibrant and biodiverse environments, home to colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, and other marine life that draw divers and snorkelers from around the world. To protect these fragile ecosystems, strict regulations have been put in place that limit or prohibit fishing activities while snorkeling or scuba diving. Spearfishing and the removal of marine life are banned in most marine parks, with particularly strict enforcement in Anguilla, Saba, and St. Barths. St. Martin, St. Maarten and the surrounding islands all have Marine Parks which protect the reef systems with rules and regulations which specifically prohibit spearfishing and removal of any items from the sea while scuba diving and in many cases while snorkeling. In addition, the CITES International Treaty has severe penalties for the transportation of Turtle Shells, Conch Shells and many other sea shells and corals. These conservation measures help ensure fish populations remain healthy, reef systems remain intact, and future generations can continue to enjoy these natural wonders.
At The Scuba Shop, we encourage all divers and snorkelers to adopt the motto:
Take Only Photos, Leave Only Bubbles!
By respecting the rules and the marine environment, every visitor contributes to the long-term health of our seas.
Both St. Maarten and St. Martin enforce regulations that reflect their commitment to marine conservation, though with some differences between the Dutch and French sides of the island.
Spearguns are prohibited on the Dutch side of St Maarten. On the French side of St Martin spearguns and spearfishing is allowed outside of the Marine Park, but always free diving only, without scuba diving gear.
In support of conservation, The Scuba Shop does not sell spearfishing gear and does not support this sport in our fragile waters, as unsustainable practices can cause irreversible harm to shallow and deep reef systems alike. The only exception is the sale of specialized tools used in the control of invasive lionfish, and these are available only to dive professionals and marine authorities.
Beyond legal restrictions and ethical concerns, there are real health risks tied to fishing in these waters. Ciguatera fish poisoning, a serious illness caused by consuming contaminated reef fish, is present in the region and provides another compelling reason to avoid spearfishing.
Ciguatera is a type of food poisoning, with the toxin may be found in large reef fish, most commonly barracuda, grouper, parrot fish, red snapper, eel, amberjack, sea bass, and Spanish mackerel. These fish live in coral reef waters between latitudes of 35 degrees south to 35 degrees north, corresponding to the area located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. These areas include the Caribbean Sea.
Ciguatera toxin tends to accumulate in predator fish, such as the barracuda and other carnivorous reef fish, because they eat other fish that consume toxin-producing algae (dinoflagellates) that live in coral reef waters.
Ciguatera toxin is harmless to fish but poisonous to humans. The toxin is odorless and tasteless, and it is heat-resistant, so cooking does not destroy the toxin. Eating ciguatera-contaminated tropical or subtropical fish poisons the person who eats it – with the toxin accumulating in your body and remaining there even after becoming ill, increasing your chances of being ill again and again.
Symptoms generally begin six to eight hours after eating the contaminated fish.
Symptoms include: Nasea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Muscle Pain, Numbness, Tingling, Abdominal Pain, Dizziness and/or Vertigo
Severe cases of ciguatera poisoning may result in: Shortness of Breath, Salivation, Tearing of the Eyes, Chills, Rashes, Itching, Paralysis
Death, due to heart or respiratory failure, occurs in rare cases.
Spearfishing in St. Maarten and the surrounding islands is tightly regulated to protect delicate marine ecosystems and prevent the depletion of fish populations. Beyond conservation, health risks like ciguatera poisoning further highlight why harvesting fish is not recommended. The Scuba Shop does not sell or promote spearfishing equipment, supporting instead the philosophy of enjoying the ocean responsibly and sustainably. By embracing conservation and respecting marine park rules, divers and snorkelers can experience thriving reefs, abundant marine life, and crystal-clear waters. The best souvenirs from the Caribbean are not shells or fish but memories, photographs, and the knowledge that you helped protect the ocean for generations to come.
