Table of Contents
The Palma Bay Marine Reserve is situated on the northeast side of the bay is 2.394 hectares, and includes all the area from the coast to 30 metres depth between the S’Arenal Nautical Club and Regana Cape.
It was created to protect the Posidonia (Posidoniaceae) Fields, and also protected species such as Cystoseira baleárica Algae, Cystoseira ercegovicii Algae and Cystoseira stricta Algae.
Fishing is allowed Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and any Spanish bank holidays, except on the protected area of Cape Enderrocat (the very light blue area of the map).
Tackle and Other Palma Bay Regulations
Rod
- Maximum 1 line per fisherman.
- Minimum hook size of 7mm inside diameter, except to fish Pearly Razorfish
Pearly Razorfish fishing
- Minimum hook size of 5.7mm
- No fishing between 1st April and 31st August
Spearfishing
- only daytime fishing
Net fishing
- Special authorisation is required from the Director-General of Fishing
Competitions
Not allowed
Submarine Fishing
Allowed Mondays, Tuesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and Spanish bank holidays, outside the special protection area (Cape Enderrocat).
Submarine Fishing Size Restrictions
| # | Species | English | Catalan | Spanish | Minimum Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sciaena umbra | Corb meagre / Brown meagre | Escorball | Corvallo | 34.5 cm, max 1 fish / day |
| 2 | Epinephelus marginatus | Dusky grouper | Anfos | Mero | 50 cm, max 1 fish / day |
| 3 | Epinephelus alexandrinus | Golden grouper / Gold blotch grouper | Anfos llis | Falso abadejo | 53 cm, max 1 fish / day |
| 4 | Mycteroperca rubra | Mottled grouper | Anfos bord | Gitano | 53 cm, max 1 fish / day |
| 5 | Sparus aurata | Gilthead bream | Orada | Dorada | 37.5 cm |
| 6 | Dicentrarchus labrax | Sea bass | Llop | Lubina | 42.5 cm |
| 7 | Labrus merula | Brown wrasse | Tord massot | Merlo | 31.5 cm |
| 8 | Labrus viridis | Green wrasse | Tord grivia | Tordo | 35 cm |
| 9 | Umbrina cirrosa | Corb | Reig | Verrugato | 35 cm, max 1 fish / day |
| 10 | Muraena helena | Mediterranean moray / Moray eel | Morena | Morena | 95 cm |
| 11 | Conger conger | Conger eel | Congre | Congrio | Forbidden |
| 12 | Diplodus cervinus | Zebra sea bream | Sard reial | Sargo breado | Forbidden |
| 13 | Raja spp. | Skates | Rajades | Rayas | Forbidden |
| 14 | Dasyatis pastinaca | Common stingray | Ferrasa | Pastinaca | Forbidden |
Mark Kaye is a travel writer and content creator living in Majorca, Spain. Originally from the UK, Mark moved to the island and quickly fell in love with Majorcan culture, food, and scenic landscapes. When he’s not busy writing detailed guides about Majorca’s top tourist attractions and hidden local gems, you can find him out exploring coastal trails or wandering the streets of Palma’s Old Town in search of his next great restaurant discovery.
