In Azerbaijan, a state fee of 70 manats will be charged for the issuance of registration certificates for aquaculture farms.
According to the “Operative Information Center-OMM”, this provision is included in a draft amendment to the Law "On State Duty," which was discussed today at a meeting of the Agrarian Policy Committee of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly).
The legislative update stems from the Law "On Fisheries," which mandates that aquaculture activities in fishery water bodies must be conducted based on an "aquaculture farm registration certificate." The introduction of this state fee is designed to partially compensate for the administrative costs associated with evaluating farm compliance, conducting expertise, and managing administrative procedures. Furthermore, it aims to promote the legalization of such activities and ensure a uniform approach within the legal framework.
Additionally, amendments are proposed to the Law "On Licenses and Permits." Under the relevant draft law, the registration certificate for aquaculture farms is being added to the "List of permits issued for entrepreneurial activities." This change serves to systematically strengthen state control over the management of aquatic bioresources. It also establishes a consistent regulatory model by eliminating differing legal regimes between the exploitation of natural resources and artificial cultivation.
Previously, while the use of natural bioresources in the fishing sector was regulated through a permit mechanism, aquaculture activities were limited to a simple registration procedure. However, aquaculture is a complex activity involving water resource usage, ecosystem intervention, and biological balance management. The proposed changes shift state oversight from a reactive to a preventive stage, allowing for the early identification of potential risks. This approach aligns with international best practices, particularly the principles established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
