Act No. 124 of 1983 on Fishing, Aquatic Life and Aquaculture. Country/Territory Egypt Document type Legislation Date 1983 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Environment gen., Fisheries, Sea Keyword Marine pollution Basic legislation Marine fisheries Fishing vessel Navigation Fishing gear/fishing method Fishing area Size Research Inland fisheries Aquaculture Special fund Offences/penalties Fishing authorization Fishing charge Marking/identification Protection of species Fishery management and conservation Authorization/permit Waste disposal Waste domestic sources Waste non-domestic sources Geographical area Africa, Mediterranean, Middle East, Near East and North Africa, Northern Africa, Red Sea & Gulf of Aden Entry into force notes This Act enters into force one day after its publication in the Official Gazette. Abstract This Act is composed of 3 Sections divided into 65 articles. Section I deals with General Provisions. Section II provides for water pollution and obstructions to fishing operations. Section III contains aquatic resources and the regulation of fish farms. Every vessel designated for fishing shall be marked on its sides by the General Organization for Fishery Resources Development with a serial number and with a sign indicating the class of vessel and the area in which it may be used for fishing (art. 2). The alteration of identifying marks or dimensions must be authorized by the General Organization for Fishery Resources Development (art. 3). Night lighting is to be according to navigation laws and the vessel shall maintain the distance from the prohibited lanes and protected areas (art. 4). Fishing vessels must operate in the licensed area and by the authorized methods as well as shall not carry nets or apparatus other than those with which it is licensed to operate (arts. 8 and 9). Catching, sale and possession of fish or other aquatic life must be according to the length and size established by the Minister of Agriculture (art. 11). The use of noxious, poisonous, stupefying, explosive substances is prohibited, as well as fishing with use of bamboo traps, fish traps etc (art. 13). Construction of promontories, artificial reefs, and dams as well as pasturing and hunting in islands in lakes are to be authorised by the General Organization for Fishery Resources Development (art. 14). Discharging factory wastes, insecticides, toxic and radioactive substances into the territorial waters is prohibited (art. 15). No foreign fish spawn or spat thereof shall be used in or introduced into the country for any purpose whatsoever without first obtaining a permit from the General Organization for the Fishery Resources Development (art. 17). Cultivation of reeds and rhizomatous plants shall not be permitted in fishing areas, and portions of such areas may not be filled in for the purpose of raising the ground level (art. 18). Fish fry may not be collected, removed or obtained from the sea, lakes, or other expanses of water without first obtaining a permit from the aforementioned Authority (art. 19). Prohibition of draining any area of a lake unless for fishery exploitation (art. 20). Licences shall be valid until 31 December of each year and shall be renewed annually within 90 days (art. 27). The licence used for a motorised fishing vessel shall be issued only after the vessel has been approved as technically sound by the Harbours and Lighthouses Department in the case of fishing in marine waters and by the General Organization for River Transport in the case of fishing in internal waters (art. 30). Vessel licence data, information, condition, rights and duties (arts. 31-39). Fishermen's cooperatives may set up fish-collecting centres (markets) in the extraction areas except at the High Dam Lake (art. 40). Fishing fees (arts. 42-46). Concessions relating to the exploitation of aquatic resources and terms shall be issued by a decree of the Minister of Agriculture where the term of the concession shall not exceed 5 years (art. 47). The establishment of fish farms shall be prohibited except on land unsuitable for agriculture and after obtaining a licence issued by the Minister of Agriculture (art. 48). The areas allocated for fish farming shall be specified by a decree issued by the Minister of Agriculture (art. 49). The Minister of Agriculture shall issue the Implementing Regulation for this Act following agreement with the Minister of Irrigation and the competent authorities (art. 65). Full text English References - Legislation Implemented by Ministerial Decree No. 329 of 1985 Identifying some areas of aquaculture. Legislation | Egypt | 1985 Keyword: Aquaculture, Landing, Authorization/permit, Fishery management and conservation Source: FAO, FAOLEX