Decision No. (174) of 1989 concerning fishing professions
12/9/2025
Resolution No. (174) of 1989 As amended by Resolution No. (416) of 1989
Chairman of the Board
Having reviewed Law No. 124 of 1983 concerning fish and aquatic life and the regulation of fish farms and its implementing regulations,
and Presidential Decree No. 190 of 1983 establishing the General Authority for Fish Resources Development,
and Presidential Decree No. 465 of 1983 defining the water bodies that the General Authority for Fish Resources Development is responsible for developing and supervising the implementation of fishing laws therein,
and Ministerial Decree No. 964 of 1987 authorizing us to issue resolutions related to the implementation of Fishing Law No. 124 of 1983 and its implementing regulations,
and our Resolution No. 82 of 1987 forming a main committee to evaluate fishing professions.
Based on the recommendations of the main committee for evaluating fishing professions,
and in the interest of the work,
Article (1) The following fishing methods are permitted in the northern lakes:
First: Fishing methods used in Lakes Manzala, Burullus, Edku, and Mariout:
(1) The "Jawabi" (a type of net)
- The use of "Jawabi" (a type of net) made of net or wire with a mesh size not exceeding 170 is permitted.
- Placing "Jawabi" on any type of reef is prohibited.
(2) The "Tarrah" (a type of net) or "Ghazl al-Ramya" (a type of net) or "Kanf" (a type of net)
- The mesh size must not exceed 26.
- The diameter of the net must not exceed five meters when used.
- A fisherman is not permitted to use more than two "Tarrah" nets.
(3) The "Sinnar" (a type of fishing line)
- The use of the following methods for fishing with a hook is permitted.
- Reed fishing using bait.
- Line fishing without bait.
The use of toxic or harmful substances in bait is prohibited. Fishermen are permitted to use a hook for bait fishing with a length not exceeding one and a half meters.
The hoop is a triangular piece of wood, one and a half meters long, and may not be used for any purpose other than that for which it is intended.
(4) Field fishing technique
- Three-layer net: lead weight every five centimeters and fine mesh every 30 centimeters.
- 8-inch length for the prison and 20-inch length for the body.
(5) Crew or soft net technique
This is a three-layer net, and its use is subject to the following conditions and specifications:
- The length of the net ranges from 100 to 150 meters, and the height of the net is not less than 100 centimeters. The net is reinforced at the top with cork and at the bottom with lead.- The capacity of the outer spinning eyes is greater than that of the inner spinning eyes, and the latter has 26 eyes per 50 cm length.
- This fishing method involves two boats, each equipped with a single net. The nets are connected at both ends, and the boats move in opposite directions in a circular motion.
- Fishing with this method is carried out by the fishermen creating noise and water movement. The fish fall into the narrow mesh of the medium-sized net, which, along with the outer net, forms a pocket from which the fish cannot escape. The two connected nets are then brought together by the boats, each boat holding one end.
- The two boats operate without using a sail.
(6) The Dabba, Madad, or Nashah Method
- A single-layer net, no longer than 400 meters, with a mesh size not exceeding 26, and a net height of 60-100 cm.
Or a three-layer net with a mesh size of at least 8 and a body mesh size of 20.
- The net has cork on top and lead on the bottom.
(7) Bird netting with any mesh size.
Second: Scale netting, used in Lakes Burullus, Aku, and Mariout, with the following specifications:
- A single-layer net made up of several pieces, each 10-12 meters long, with a net height of approximately 80 cm and a mesh size of 14. The net is reinforced at the bottom with lead weights and has no cork at the top.
- Only one vessel is permitted to use this net.
- When using the net for fishing, it is placed vertically in the water by anchoring it to palm frond or reed poles.
- This net is used for catching scale fish such as catfish and grouper.
Third: Eel and shrimp netting, used in Lakes Manzala, Burullus, and Edku, with the following specifications:(1) Snake Netting
- 35 mesh size for wings and 40 mesh size for the bag in the northern inlets and during dark periods in the outskirts of the snakes, according to the quantities and conditions determined by the General Authority for Fish Resources Development each season.
(2) Shrimp Netting
- 35 mesh size for the rig and 45 mesh size for the box, from the beginning of September to the end of December each year. It is used at night and retrieved during the day.
Fourth: Fishing Methods Used Only in Lake Manzala:
(1) The Tawans Method
- The upright rig is a single-layer net without floats or lead, two meters high, with the rods fixed every 80 cm. The net's mesh size should not exceed 26.
- The upright or flat trap is the horizontal part: a 3-layer net with a mesh size of 8 and a mesh size of 18, with rods fixed every 50 cm.
- The length of the yarn should not exceed 300 meters.
(2) The craft of dragging or tucking
- A single-layered net, no more than 300 meters long, with cork at the top every 30 cm and lead every half meter. The net's height does not exceed one meter.
- The net's diameter does not exceed 26.
- The number of individuals working on the net in this craft does not exceed five.
(3) The Qafsha Craft
- A single-layered net, no more than 500 meters long, for the entire work crew.
- The net's height averages 6 meters.
- The boats that use this net are of the third grade, and their number does not exceed five.
- The net's diameter does not exceed 35.
- The yarn has no lead at the bottom and contains cork at the top, placed every 50 cm.
(4) The Repetition Craft
- Single-layer yarn not exceeding 200 meters in length and 8 meters in height, containing cork at the top every 30 cm. The yarn has no lead at the bottom and its total length does not exceed 8 meters.
- The net diameter should not exceed 30 cm.
- Nets are used with two Class 3 sailboats and operate in the usual manner, either as one or two circles.
(5) The Drag Fishing Craft
- The length of the mast is set at a maximum of 200 meters, and the length of the net box is 40 meters, with a height of 25 cm above the water surface.
- The diameter of the net box and mast is 30 cm, and the number of nets per drift does not exceed two.
- The number of drifts in the lake is set at 500, and they are distributed among the fishing areas of the lake by the Lake Manzala Authority in coordination with the River Police and the Director of the Authority's Areas.
- Drag permits are issued by the relevant Authority area in conjunction with the relevant cooperative societies. The permit states the name of the permit holder and the fishing location.
- Each drift permit is accompanied by a metal tag bearing the permit number and the color designated for the permitted area. The metal tag is affixed to a wooden stake at the drift site. The owner of the fishing boat or their representative must be present during the boat's installation and must have the original permit, matching the boat's number, for verification as needed.
The boat is strictly prohibited within a 4 km² radius of the Al-Jamil inlet, extending into the lake from all directions, and is subject to the warning signs placed by the Lake Authority.
As for inlets, openings, and dikes, the placement of boats is prohibited within a 2 km² radius. The Lake Authority will place warning signs in these areas.
A working group comprised of members from the Lake Authority and the Waterways Police will be formed to continuously supervise the boats and collect daily data for evaluation.
The boat owner is obligated to comply with the above instructions. Those who violate them will be subject to the provisions of Fishing Law No. 124 of 1983, and their boat permit will be immediately revoked and the boat permanently removed from the lake.
Article (2): The following fishing methods are permitted in Lake Bardawil:
(1) Shanshula fishing method:
- The power of the vessels operating this method shall not exceed 100 horsepower.
- The mesh size of the net shall not exceed 14.
- The length of the net shall not exceed 1000 meters and the height shall not exceed 25 meters.
- The lead rope must be raised above the bottom.
- The optimal number of vessels operating in one day is 16 vessels. This is subject to administrative decisions issued by the lake.
(2) Dabba fishing method:
- A 3-layer net with a body mesh size not exceeding 14 and a prison mesh size not exceeding 7.
- The length of the net shall not exceed 1000 meters and its height shall not exceed 1 meter. (3) Reed Fishing Craft
- Horizontal netting, one or three layers, with a mesh size not exceeding 14 and a net width not exceeding three meters.
- Vertical netting, one layer, not exceeding 5 meters in height and with a mesh size not exceeding 14.
(4) Bird Netting
- With any mesh size.
Article (3): The following fishing crafts are permitted in the Great and Small Bitter Lakes, Lake Timsah, and the Suez Canal:
(1) Grabbing Netting
- Three-layer netting, with a mesh size of 5.5-6 for the prison and 26 for the body.
- The net consists of strands (each strand is 20-25 meters long), with a total of 5-10 strands.
- The net length does not exceed 200 meters and its height is 2 meters.
- Place a lead weight every 15 cm and a cork disc every 15 cm.
- Position the net in a circular shape and use a swirl from the shore to lure fish towards the net.
Use year-round.
(2) The Floating Net
- A single-layer net, 50 meters long and 35 meters high, with a diameter not exceeding 35.
- It is equipped with cork discs for buoyancy, spaced every 40 cm, and the bottom rope is lead-free.
(3) The Reed Net
- A net consisting of two parts: a submerged part and a floating part.
- The submerged part is at a height of 18 meters with a diameter of 26. It is a single-layer net with cork discs, each 5 cm in diameter, and lead every 5 cm.
- The floating part is a three-layer net with a diameter of 7 for the main body and 26 for the main body. It is stretched over reed poles with half a meter between each inch.
(4) Field Netting (Extension)
- A 3-layer net, no longer than 200 meters and no higher than 1 meter.
- A size 7 for the prison net and a size 17 for the body net.
- The distance between each net is at least 100 meters.
- It has lead weights at the bottom every 1/2 meter and a small amount of cork.
(5) Crab Netting (Extension)
- A single-layer net, size 7, 300 meters long and 1 meter high.
- It has lead weights every 1/2 meter and cork discs every 3 meters. The net is cast in the evening and collected in the morning.
(6) Hook Fishing
- The following methods are permitted for hook fishing:
- Line fishing without bait.
- Reed fishing with bait. The use of toxic or harmful substances in bait is prohibited.
Fishermen are permitted to use a fishing net for bait no longer than 1.5 meters and a wooden triangular hoop, also 1.5 meters long. Its use for any other purpose is prohibited.
(7) Shrimp Fishing
- 35 mesh size for the net and 45 mesh size for the box.
- This activity is prohibited from the beginning of April until the end of May each year.
Article (4): The following fishing methods are permitted in Lake Qarun:
(1) Mullet Netting: The following methods are used:
(a) The Dabba (a type of net)
- A 3-layer net with a body mesh size not exceeding 17 and a prison mesh size not exceeding 6.
- The net's length must not exceed 700 meters and its height 3 meters.
- - It is used for daytime fishing in a bow shape, employing the same methods and techniques, or at night when attached to a heavy rope. Its shafts can be marked with a small kerosene lamp.
(b) Digging Net
- A three-layer net with a body diameter not exceeding 17 and a net diameter not exceeding 7.
- The net's length should not exceed 500 meters and its height 4 meters.
- It is used in the same way as the "bear" method.
(c) Long Net
- A three-layer net with a body diameter not exceeding 17 and a net diameter not exceeding 7.
- The net's length should not exceed 600 meters and its height 9 meters.
- This net is used only at night.
(d) Reed Weaving
- Three horizontal layers of yarn with a body diameter not exceeding 17 and a prison diameter not exceeding 7.
- The yarn is 2 meters high and is woven using pieces of reed.
- Vertical weaving with a single layer, a diameter not exceeding 17, and a height of 9 meters.
- This craft is used only during the day.
(2) Musa Weaving
- Three layers of yarn with a body diameter not exceeding 17 and a prison diameter not exceeding 7.
- The length of the yarn does not exceed 1500 cm and its height does not exceed 75 cm.
- The yarn is woven in the form of multiple overlapping circles or diagonal lines, then gathered and re-weave. (3) Tilapia Fishing
Three-layer net with a body diameter of 20 and a prison diameter of 7.
The net is 200 meters long and 175 cm high.
(4) Seabass Fishing
Single-layer net with a diameter not exceeding 17.
The net is 7 meters high and the tide is 400 meters long.
Article (5) The following fishing methods are permitted in the first and third Rayyan depressions:
(1) Mullet Fishing
(a) Slingshot
Single-layer net with a diameter not exceeding 14.
The net is 10 meters high and its length does not exceed 900 meters.
The net is set up in deep water in the shape of an arc or a straight line ending at both ends in a spiral maze. (b) The fishing net used in Lake Qarun is similar to the net used in the Dabba, except that the net height is 3 meters and the length of the net does not exceed 500 meters.
(2) Tilapia net
- Three-layer net, body gauge 17 and prison gauge 6.
- Net height 175 cm and length does not exceed 300 meters.
(3) Sardine net
- Single-layer net, gauge 24.
- Net height 3 meters and length 600 meters.
(4) Fishing with Hooks
- Reed hooks using bait.
- Line hooks without bait.
The use of toxic or harmful substances in bait is prohibited. Fishermen are permitted to use a hook for baiting that does not exceed 1.5 meters in length and a wooden triangular hoop 1.5 meters in length.
It may not be used for any other purpose.
Article (6) The following fishing methods are permitted in inland waters:
(The Nile and its branches, canals, irrigation ditches, and drains)
(1) The Habla Net
- A single-layer net with a mesh size not exceeding 26.
- The net's length shall not exceed 50 meters and its height 25-30 meters.
- A cork disc every 50 cm and a piece of lead every meter.
- This net is to be used along the bank or in the middle of the river.
- Used throughout the fishing season.
(2) The "Mahir" or "Kanar" Net
- A 3-layer net with a body diameter not exceeding 22 and a net diameter not exceeding 7.
- The net consists of 5-10 sections (each section is 25-30 meters long), with a width of 1.5 meters to 3 meters.
- A cork disc every meter and a lead weight every 30 centimeters, so that the net is cast to the bottom.
- If the net is used across the river, it can be used year-round. However, if it is used parallel to the shore (called "Laqt" or "Naqariyah"), its use is prohibited in March, July, and September. - In the case of using the net parallel to the shore and leaving it for a period of time at least ten meters from the beach (in this case it is called a "kharfa" (or "katamiya")
(3) The "taraha" or "kanf"
- A conical net with a diameter not exceeding 26.
- A single-layer net with two layers at the end of the cone.
- It can be used from the shore, except for the "kanf," which has a pocket extending from the bottom of the "taraha" and is cast only from the boat.
(4) The "farat"
- Same function as the "taraha" - larger than the "kanf"
- A diameter not exceeding 26.
(5) The "shanaqah"
- A single-layer net with a diameter not exceeding 26.
- The net consists of 10 strands (each strand is 25-30 meters long).
(6) The "sanar"
- A "sanar" Reef fishing with bait
- Line fishing without bait
The fisherman is permitted to use a hook for bait fishing, not exceeding one and a half meters in length, and a triangular wooden hoop. Its use is not permitted for any other purpose.
(7) The "Tabsha" technique
This technique, called "Tabsha," involves casting using a net secured with reeds in semi-circular layers (not exceeding three layers) and using a rocking motion from a boat or the shore to draw fish into the net.
Article (7): The following fishing techniques are permitted in Lake Nasser:
(1) Digging nets: 3 mm for the outer layer and 8 mm for the body.
(2) Gillnets: 8 mm.
(3) Floating nets: 22 mm not exceeding.
(4) Hook traps.
Article (8): The following fishing techniques are permitted in marine waters:
(1) The Shanshula
- Single-layer net with no limit on length and a height of 80-100 m.
- The net's diameter does not exceed 60.
(2) Trawling
- These nets are used in deep areas on sandy and level bottoms. The net is single-layer, and the bag's diameter does not exceed 40.
(3) Hook and Loop
- This consists of a strand attached to one, two, or three hooks, which can be used individually or in groups. These strands are attached to a main line that is 5 km long. The hooks used vary in shape and size. The hook and loop is used to catch fish that live near the water's surface and on the bottom.
(4) Floating Net
- This is a type of floating net. The net consists of pieces of gillnet connected together. It reaches a length of about 150 fathoms and a height of about 12 meters. 16 T 18.
(5) Coastal Trawl
A single-layer net with a length of at least 250 meters and a height of 2-5 meters, with cork on top and lead on the bottom.
The net's mesh size does not exceed 45.
(6) Trawls and Sea Breams
A three-layer net with lead on the bottom and cork on top.
(7) Coastal Trawl
A length of at least 150 meters and a height of 25 meters, with a cork disc every 50 cm and one piece of lead every meter.
Mesh size 35.
Used in the Rosetta branch of the Nile from the Edvina Barrages to the Mediterranean Sea.
Article (9): In all lakes and inland waters, the use of drift nets or trawls by fishing vessels operating with more than one boat is strictly prohibited.
Article (10): The provisions of our Decree No. 146 of 1998 shall remain in effect. Article 11: The fishing activities listed in Articles 27 and 28 of the Executive Regulations of Fisheries Law No. 124 of 1983 are hereby repealed.
Article 12: The evaluation of the aforementioned fishing activities shall continue in all fishing areas until the end of 1990, and the results of the evaluation shall be submitted to us for review and appropriate action.
Article 13: All fishermen, fishing vessel owners, and their captains shall provide all data and information requested from them by the members of the fishing activities evaluation committees.
Article 14: All relevant authorities shall implement this decision, which shall come into effect on May 1, 1989.
