Fisheries and Aquatic Life Law and the Regulation of Fish Farms
12/9/2025
Fisheries and Aquatic Life Law and Fish Farm Regulation
Article 1 – Definitions: In the application of this law and its executive decisions, the following terms have the meanings indicated:
Marine waters: The territorial waters of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Inland waters: The Nile River course, irrigation canals, drains, public sewers, ponds, and marshes owned by the state.
Lakes: Water bodies, either saline or fresh, connected to marine or inland waters, including any artificial lakes.
Water outlet (Estuary): Locations where the sea and lakes connect to inland watercourses.
Vessel: Any floating craft used for fishing, whether powered by machinery, sail, or otherwise.
Vessel captain: The person responsible for managing and operating the vessel.
Fisher: Anyone who professionally practices fishing, whether on foot or on a vessel.
Vessel crew: All personnel working on the vessel.
Aquatic weeds: Floating or attached sea algae, or those washed ashore.
Aquatic plants: Reeds, papyrus, and other water plants.
Water pollution: Any change in the natural chemical or biological properties of water due to discharge or leakage of foreign substances such as oils, chemical residues, pesticides, or sewage, causing harm to aquatic wealth or public health.
Mesh size (“Maja”): The number of mesh defects in every 50 cm of net length.
Fishing card: A card issued by the licensing authority to the vessel owner, fisher, or other crew members.
License: A written authorization on the official form issued by the competent administrative authority, allowing a vessel to fish in a specific area, or to conduct land-based fishing or hunt waterfowl, with periods and conditions determined by a decision of the Minister of Agriculture.
Fish farm license: A written authorization to establish a fish farm, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture on the form specified by the executive regulations.
Boughaz: Any natural or artificial opening connecting the sea to a lake.
Article 2: Every vessel designated for fishing must, before commencing fishing, be numbered on both sides by the General Authority for Fish Resources Development with a serial number and mark indicating the vessel’s size and authorized fishing area. This number and mark must also appear on the sail according to forms and regulations issued by the Minister of Agriculture. These numbers must remain visible, and it is prohibited to erase, conceal, alter, or distort them. The vessel owner must request a renewal from the General Authority whenever necessary.
Article 3: The vessel owner may not change its identification marks or dimensions without the approval of the General Authority for Fish Resources Development.
Article 4: When operating a vessel, the following must be observed:
(the continuation of Article 4 would follow based on your next text
Fisheries and Aquatic Life Law and Fish Farm Regulation
Article 4 (continued): When operating a fishing vessel, the following must be observed: (a) Proper lighting at night according to navigation laws and specifications issued by decision of the Minister of Agriculture. (b) Avoidance of navigational channels and prohibited areas as specified in notices issued by decision of the Minister of Agriculture.
Article 5: A vessel may only enter or navigate in prohibited fishing areas in emergency situations caused by weather conditions or vessel malfunction.
Article 6: No one may operate a fishing vessel except those holding a valid certificate from the Ports and Lighthouses Authority confirming their competence, or from the General Authority for River Transport for fishing in inland waters.
Article 7: Fishing is prohibited in areas or during periods designated as no-fishing zones, or using prohibited fishing gear, as determined by decision of the Minister of Agriculture.
Article 8: It is prohibited to anchor a fishing vessel in unauthorized locations or to fish using unauthorized methods without the approval of the General Authority for Fish Resources Development.
Article 9: No vessel shall carry nets, equipment, or tools that are unlicensed or prohibited, nor may anyone possess such tools in or near fishing areas.
Article 10: It is prohibited to catch, sell, or possess fish or other aquatic life in fresh, dried, or salted form if they are smaller than the sizes specified by decision of the Minister of Agriculture. Grinding of fish of any size is forbidden except with a permit from the General Authority for Fish Resources Development.
Article 11: Ornamental fish may only be caught from lakes with a permit from the General Authority for Fish Resources Development.
Article 12: No fish may be sold, transferred, or otherwise handled in lakes or inland waters, and no weighing equipment may be present on vessels, except in the case of the High Dam Lake.
Article 13: It is prohibited to use harmful, poisonous, narcotic, or lethal substances to aquatic life, explosives, or fishing methods such as barriers, dams, nets, or enclosures. The possession or use of water-lifting devices in lakes or on shores is prohibited except with a permit from the General Authority for Fish Resources Development. These provisions also apply to waters on privately owned land connected to Egyptian waters.
Article 14: Without a permit from the General Authority for Fish Resources Development, no islands, bridges, dams, enclosures, or water reclamation may be constructed on lakes or their shores, except: (a) To protect agricultural or property lands from lake flooding. (b) To establish fish farms.
It is prohibited to use lake islands or their shore areas for livestock grazing or bird hunting without a permit from the General Authority.
Chapter Two – Water Pollution and Fishing Constraints
Article 15: Without prejudice to other laws, it is prohibited to discharge industrial waste, pesticides used in agriculture, or similar toxic or radioactive substances into Egyptian waters.
Article 16: No solid or obstructive materials may be placed in fishing areas except authorized fishing traps.
Article 17: The introduction or use of foreign fish species, eggs, or larvae is prohibited except with a permit from the General Authority for Fish Resources Development, following technical consultation with the Institute of Marine Science and Fisheries.
Article 18: Planting reeds or rhizome-based plants in fishing areas, or backfilling parts of the water body to raise land, is prohibited.
Article 19: Collecting, transporting, or possessing fish fry from the sea, lakes, or other water bodies is prohibited without a permit from the General Authority for Fish Resources Development.
Article 20: No government entity, company, local unit, cooperative, or individual may drain any lake area unless a committee—including representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, Land Reclamation, Irrigation, Planning, Local Administration, the Institute of Marine Science and Fisheries, and the General Authority for Fish Resources Development—issues a report proving the area is economically unfit for fishing, except for areas drained before the enactment of this law.
Chapter Three: Scientific Research and Statistics
Article 21: Scientific, technical, and research authorities are entitled to conduct experiments and studies in authorized fishing areas throughout the year. They may use vessels, tools, and equipment necessary for these studies. These authorities may also employ licensed fishermen and obtain samples of fish or other aquatic life for purposes of research, breeding, feeding fish farms, or restocking other fishing areas, in coordination with the General Authority for Fish Resources Development.
Article 22: Cooperative societies for aquatic resources, fishermen, vessel captains, and fish traders must provide all statistical data regarding fishing operations, fish production, and marketing in accordance with rules determined by the Executive Regulations.
