No. Magnet fishing in Saudi Arabia operates in a legal gray zone, as neither explicit authorization nor prohibition exists under current maritime or antiquities laws. The Ministry of Culture’s 2026 National Heritage Protection Strategy may indirectly criminalize unauthorized metal detection, given its alignment with UNESCO’s 1970 Convention on Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property. Violations could trigger penalties under the 2015 Antiquities Law (Royal Decree M/37) or the 2023 Penal Code’s theft provisions, particularly if artifacts are unearthed.
Key Regulations for Magnet Fishing in Saudi Arabia
- Antiquities Law Compliance: Any retrieval of historical artifacts (defined as pre-1932 objects) requires prior approval from the Heritage Commission, per Article 4 of the 2015 Antiquities Law. Unauthorized possession risks confiscation or imprisonment under Article 18.
- Maritime Jurisdiction Restrictions: Activities in territorial waters (governed by the 2014 Maritime Law) demand permits from the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) or the Royal Saudi Navy, especially near shipwrecks or military zones.
- Environmental and Public Safety: The 2021 Environmental Law prohibits disturbances to marine ecosystems. Magnet fishing in protected areas (e.g., Red Sea coral zones) may violate Article 32, attracting fines up to SAR 5 million.