President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has approved the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Fisheries”. The Law establishes the legal framework for the organisation and management of fisheries in Azerbaijan, including the harvesting of fish and other aquatic bioresources and the organisation of aquaculture, as well as the enhancement, utilisation and protection of fish and other aquatic bioresources.

Abdulrahim Dadashov, Deputy Head of the Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, stated that the new Law serves to establish management in the fisheries and aquaculture sector within a more systematic, sustainable and economically oriented legal framework. According to him, the main essence of the document is related to regulating the use of fish and other aquatic bioresources, clarifying the legal framework for aquaculture activities, protecting fish stocks, strengthening control over harvesting and circulation processes, as well as expanding production and export opportunities in the sector.

A. Dadashov noted that fisheries are being shaped not merely as harvesting activities, but as a broader area of economic activity encompassing the enhancement and protection of aquatic bioresources, aquaculture, processing, logistics and trade circulation. In this regard, the Law is of significant importance in terms of regulating fisheries entities, fisheries facilities, fishing grounds, fishing vessels, fishing gear, aquaculture farms and the circulation of fish products within a unified legal framework.

According to him, the Law regulates issues related to the promotion of sustainable production methods and innovative technologies, meeting domestic market demand, increasing export potential, stimulating local production, ensuring the environmentally, economically and socially sustainable development of aquaculture, preventing the depletion of fish and other aquatic bioresource stocks, as well as the digitalisation of management.

A. Dadashov stated that the new Law is directly aligned with the “State Program for the Development of Agricultural, Fisheries and Aquaculture Product Production and Processing Sectors in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026–2030”. The State Program identifies the development of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors as a separate objective and highlights strengthening sustainable production and market potential in this area as one of the priority directions. The adoption of the Law strengthens the legal and institutional basis for the implementation of these objectives.

The Decree signed in connection with the implementation of the Law “On Fisheries” also provides for the strengthening of digital management and traceability mechanisms in the fisheries sector. According to the Decree, the “fisheries” subsystem of the “Electronic Agriculture” information system has been designated as one of the main digital platforms in this area. The collection of information on fisheries entities and facilities, fisheries infrastructure, fishing gear, fishing vessels and other data necessary for management within the information system will increase transparency and operational control in the sector.

A. Dadashov stated that the Law is also of significant importance in terms of protecting fish stocks and maintaining ecological balance. The regulation of fishing based on quotas, prohibition of the use of banned fishing gear, application of special regimes for valuable and protected fish species, and establishment of environmental requirements in water protection zones and coastal protection strips will contribute to the sustainable management of fish and other aquatic bioresources.

According to him, the provisions of the Law related to economic regulation are also important for the development of the sector. The establishment of a fund for the enhancement, restoration and protection of fish and other aquatic bioresources, as well as the provision of financing for scientific support of fisheries and the introduction of targeted investment, subsidies, concessional loans and other state support measures, may create conditions for increasing local production and entrepreneurial activity in this field.

Thus, the new Law brings together legal regulation, environmental sustainability, digital monitoring and economic incentive mechanisms in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors within a unified framework. In this regard, the document will make an important contribution to the objectives envisaged in the State Program, including the development of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, increasing production and export potential, as well as strengthening the supply of the domestic market with locally produced fish products.