Ecolex Logo
The gateway to
environmental law
Search results » Legislation

Law on fisheries (No. VIII-1756).

Country/Territory
Lithuania
Document type
Legislation
Date
2000 (2021)
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Original source
Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania. Translated by: Office of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania Document Department.
Subject
Fisheries
Keyword
Framework law Inland fisheries Marine fisheries Fishery management and conservation Allocation/quota Non-commercial fishing Artisanal fishing Fishing vessel Foreign fishing Aquaculture Mariculture Fishing gear/fishing method Processing/handling Institution Enforcement/compliance Offences/penalties Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Liability/compensation Fishing authorization Fish disease Animal health Authorization/permit
Geographical area
Europe, Europe and Central Asia, European Union Countries, Northern Europe
Entry into force notes
This Law enters into force on the date of its official publication.
Abstract

This Act regulates various types of fishing, aquaculture, and processing and marketing of fish. Its 33 sections are divided into 12 Chapters: General provisions (I); Rights and duties of users of fish stocks (II); Fishing vessels of the Republic of Lithuania (III); Commercial inland fisheries (IV); Commercial marine fisheries (V); Recreational and special fishing (VI); Conservation and recovery of fish stocks (VII); Aquaculture (VIII); Marketing of fishery products and support for fisheries (IX); Fisheries control (X); Liability of economic entities for serious infringements in the area of fisheries (XI); Final provisions (XII). This Law shall regulate public relations arising in the areas of fishing, management, conservation and recovery of fish stocks, aquaculture, fish processing and making available on the market of fisheries products. The objective of the Law is to ensure sustainable fishing, protection of fish resources and their restocking and control of fisheries taking into account the ecological conditions, and interest of the fishing industry, fishermen, fish sellers and processors, and consumers (art. 1). Article 3 defines functions of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Environment, and the Fisheries Board, the latter here established as an advisory body for the formulation of fisheries policy and strategy. Article 4 classifies fisheries products as agricultural commodities. Article 6 establishes regulatory measures for fishing activity shall be established and applied on the basis of fisheries research data and in order to ensure opportunities for the natural recovery of fish stocks, to maintain the optimal productivity of marine and inland water bodies and to avoid negative alterations to aquatic ecosystems. Article 7 defines rights and duties of users of fish stocks including the right to perform commercial fishing under the conditions specified in a fishing authorization, to use coastal protection strips for activities related to fishing on the basis of land servitudes and to receive compensation for losses where fishing opportunities are lost (also for a fixed period) due to the economic activities of the authorities, state or municipal enterprises or agencies, including the economic activities carried out on their behalf, except for the cases where fishing opportunities are lost due to the set regulatory measures for fishing activity. Article 10 states that fishing vessels of the Republic of Lithuania fishing in marine waters must be included in the data system of vessels fishing in marine waters, which is a part of the European Union Fishing Fleet Register. Article 13 regards issuance of a license of a fishing vessel of the Republic of Lithuania, suspension of the license, lifting of the suspension, replacement of the license and its withdrawal. Article 14 (1) establishes the procedure for establishment of fishing quota. Article 16 lists serious of the commercial inland fishing regime which are subject to liability. Article 17 establishes the maximum permitted amount of certain commercial fishing gear to be used in each coastal fishing area. Article 20 specifies that natural and legal persons may perform special fishing only if holding authorization for special fishing, which shall be issued only subject to receipt of a written consent of the owners of these water bodies or users of the fishing areas. Article 22 establishes the provisions for conservation of fish stocks. Article 24 establishes the provisions for aquaculture. Articles 25 to 30 regulate trade and storage of fish and fish products. Articles 32 to 52 establish the provisions for supervision and control of fisheries, the rights and duties of fishing inspectors and legal and administrative proceeding in case of detection of the infringements of fishery regulations. Articles 53 to 61 specify offences and establish liability. Articles 62 and 63 establish compensation for damage to fish stocks. Users of fish stocks must: (a) if it becomes apparent that the exploited fish resources are endangered, take measures to avoid them and, in the event of harmful consequences, immediately inform the Ministry of the Environment and the owners of private inland waterbodies thereof; (b) compensate for damage to fish stocks caused by illegal actions; and (c) comply with the requirements of the officials of the Ministry of the Environment or an institution authorized by it and the Fisheries Service. The Minister of Agriculture shall establish the procedure for certification of the power of propulsion engines of fishing vessels of the Republic of Lithuania. The Fisheries Service shall approve the sampling plan for the inspection of the propulsion engine power of fishing vessels of the Republic of Lithuania and shall perform the inspection of the propulsion engine power of fishing vessels of the Republic of Lithuania.

Full text
Lithuanian/English
Website
e-seimas.lrs.lt

References - Legislation

Amended by

Law No. XIII-765 amending Law on fisheries (No. VIII-1756).

Legislation | Lithuania | 2017

Keyword: Fishery management and conservation, Fishing vessel

Source: FAO, FAOLEX