In Azerbaijan, fishery entities will have the right to freely exercise ownership, usage, and disposal of products obtained through fishing and aquaculture activities, as provided for in regulatory legal acts.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that this provision is included in the draft law "On Fisheries," which was discussed at today's meeting of the Agrarian Policy Committee of the Milli Majlis.
The draft legislation grants fishery entities the right to obtain fishing licenses, utilize fishing areas in accordance with regulations, use water bodies and land for aquaculture, and participate in trade unions. Furthermore, the document explicitly defines the obligations of these entities to ensure the sustainable management of aquatic resources.
The draft law outlines the following duties for fishery entities:
- Comply with regulatory legal acts governing the fisheries sector;
- Utilize fish and other aquatic bioresources according to the timeframes, sizes, and species specified in fishing licenses and biotechnological project documents;
- Enter data regarding fishing vessels and equipment into the information system designated by the relevant executive authority;
- Install and maintain technical monitoring equipment (such as automatic identification and satellite tracking systems) on fishing vessels;
- Comply with lawful demands of officials conducting inspections and facilitate control measures;
- Prevent the acclimatization of invasive species that could negatively impact natural habitats;
- Conduct land reclamation work aimed at increasing the productivity of aquatic bioresources;
- Prevent the deterioration of water quality in fishing areas;
- Submit data on the type and volume of fishery objects to the designated information system;
- Provide extracts from the Food Safety Registry and import health certificates upon request;
- Follow written instructions from relevant authorities regarding state control;
- Adhere to sanitary, veterinary, phytosanitary, and quarantine regulations;
- Refrain from using unauthorized fish species or feed products that do not meet food safety standards;
- Avoid using prohibited fishing gear and vessels;
- Maintain records, submit reports, and provide information to relevant authorities;
- Fulfill other duties stipulated by regulatory legal acts.
The procedures for registering fishing vessels and equipment, as well as the list of technical monitoring requirements, will be determined by the relevant executive authority.
This legislative initiative is part of Azerbaijan's broader strategy to modernize its agricultural and environmental regulations. By formalizing the rights and responsibilities of fishery entities, the government aims to ensure the sustainable management of aquatic bioresources, enhance food security, and align local practices with international standards for environmental protection and resource management.
