Key legislation

** Law on the Protection and Development of Lakes and Fish Resources (No. 146 of 2021):

Fish farms and cages: It is prohibited to establish any fish farm or hatchery without obtaining a license from the competent authority, as well as fish cages in marine waters, in compliance with environmental, health, and technical requirements.

Inspection and monitoring: Law enforcement officers are responsible for inspecting farms, hatcheries, and cages to ensure that requirements and standards are being met.

Licensing fees: The law sets fees for farm licensing, and the maximum fees for fishing boat licensing have been reduced in accordance with recent amendments.

Development: Aims to maximize the use of lakes and increase fish production, and encourages the establishment of a unified body to oversee the sector

** Other relevant laws:

· Food health and safety: Certain ministerial decrees establish conditions and procedures for the export of fishery products, identify critical control points (HACCP), and regulate the use of veterinary drugs, as in Ministerial Decree No. 1909/2001, and require the licensing of exporting establishments by the General Authority for Veterinary Services (as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization).

· Environmental protection: The Environmental Protection Law (No. 4 of 1994), amended by Law No. 9 of 2009, prohibits the discharge of any toxic, chemical, or petroleum substances into Egyptian waters and imposes penalties on violators.

· Cooperative associations: Laws such as Law No. 123 of 1981 regulate water resource cooperative associations and encourage their role in the development of the sector.

Investment: The Investment Guarantees and Incentives Law (No. 8 of 1997), amended by Law No. 72 of 2017, provides a framework for encouraging investment in the fisheries sector.