If you live on the Spanish coast and enjoy a bit of sea fishing, there is a new rule you need to know about. Spain has introduced PescaREC, a national system for reporting recreational sea-fishing catches. For foreign residents the change can be confusing, partly because it sits alongside — but is separate from — the fishing licence you already need. This guide explains, in plain English, what PescaREC is, who it applies to, what you must declare and how to stay on the right side of the law.
What is PescaREC?
PescaREC (the name comes from pesca recreativa, recreational fishing) is the electronic system Spain uses to collect data on recreational marine catches. It exists because EU law — Regulation (EU) 2023/2842, which amends the EU control regulation 1224/2009 — requires every member state to gather detailed information about what recreational anglers catch at sea. Spain put it into force through Royal Decree 214/2026, of 18 March, building on the earlier framework for marine recreational fishing (Royal Decree 347/2011).
In practice, PescaREC is a free mobile app, run by MAPA, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Through it you declare your catches and releases, send the compulsory pre-notices for bluefin tuna, and request authorisation for protected species. The app also shows minimum sizes, lists prohibited species and warns you about fishery closures.
Who must use PescaREC?
PescaREC applies to everyone practising marine recreational fishing in Spanish waters, regardless of how you fish:
- From land — surfcasting, rockfishing, spinning from the shore, rocks, piers or breakwaters.
- From a boat — your own vessel or a charter.
- Spearfishing (pesca submarina) and from floating devices.
To fish at sea you must already hold a marine recreational fishing licence (licencia de pesca marítima de recreo), which is issued by your autonomous community (region). PescaREC does not replace that licence — it sits on top of it. If you are not sure how to get your licence, see our complete fishing-licence guide for expats.
Important: PescaREC is only for the sea. If you fish in rivers, reservoirs or lakes (freshwater, or pesca continental), PescaREC does not apply to you — inland fishing is managed separately by each region.
PescaREC vs your fishing licence: how it all fits together
This is where most newcomers get lost. There are really three things you might need: a sea (marine recreational) licence, the PescaREC app, and — only if you also fish freshwater — an inland licence. Here is how the sea and inland systems compare:
| Sea (saltwater) | Inland (freshwater) | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | Marine recreational licence — issued by your region, usually free or very cheap | Continental (freshwater) licence — issued by your region, small fee |
| Catch reporting | PescaREC app — mandatory | Not via PescaREC; regional rules apply |
| Authority | State (MAPA) and your region | Your region (comunidad autónoma) |
So a typical Costa Blanca or Costa del Sol resident who fishes from the rocks needs the marine recreational licence and must now use PescaREC. Someone who only fishes a local reservoir needs the inland licence and can ignore PescaREC entirely.
What you must declare — and when
PescaREC is built around daily declarations. For each fishing day you should record:
- The species and quantity you keep.
- What you release back to the sea.
- Days when you fished but caught nothing, for the species covered by the rules.
- Bluefin tuna (atún rojo): a pre-notice before fishing and a report afterwards. Bluefin is strictly controlled and may only be targeted (catch-and-release) if you hold a specific authorisation.
It is worth knowing the minimum legal sizes for your target species and checking closed seasons (vedas) before you head out, because the app will flag undersized or prohibited catches.
How to register and use the app
- Get your marine recreational licence first from your autonomous community (see our expat licence guide).
- Download PescaREC — it is free on Google Play (Android) and the App Store (iOS). Search for "PescaREC".
- Register with your personal and licence details.
- Log every outing on the day you fish.
The app is in Spanish. If your Spanish is limited, a local tackle shop or fishing club can usually help you set it up the first time.
What happens if you don't comply
Fishing at sea without the required licence is already an offence in Spain, with fines that typically start around €60 and can climb into the thousands of euros for serious cases. The new catch-reporting duties introduced by PescaREC fall under the same EU control and inspection framework (Regulation 1224/2009, as amended), enforced by the maritime authorities and SEPRONA (the Guardia Civil's environmental unit). In short: get your licence, install the app, and log your catches. It is free and takes minutes.
PescaREC for expats: frequently asked questions
Do I need PescaREC for river or reservoir fishing?
No. PescaREC only covers marine (sea) recreational fishing. Freshwater fishing in rivers and reservoirs uses a separate regional licence and its own rules, and is not reported through PescaREC.
Is PescaREC the same as my fishing licence?
No. You still need a marine recreational licence from your autonomous community. PescaREC is the app where you report what you catch; it does not authorise you to fish on its own.
Does PescaREC cost anything?
No. The app is free to download and use, and in most regions the marine recreational licence itself is free or very cheap.
Do I have to report a day when I catch nothing?
Yes. For the species covered by the rules you should record the fishing day even if you caught nothing, so the authorities have complete data.
What are the rules for bluefin tuna?
Bluefin tuna is tightly regulated. You must send a pre-notice through PescaREC and may only fish it on a catch-and-release basis if you hold the specific authorisation, which is also requested through the app.
For the full picture of what you need before your first cast in Spain, read our complete fishing-licence guide for expats, covering Andalusia, Murcia and the Costa Blanca.
