Fisheries Law No. 457-IQ.

This Law provides for the organization and management of fisheries, including aquaculture, for increasing fish stocks and ensuring sustainable use and conservation of fish and other aquatic bioresources in the area of the Caspian sea pertaining to Azerbaijan in accordance with the international treaties and agreements and other international legal norms. This Law consists of 8 Chapters that contain 42 articles. Chapter I lays down general provisions, such as ownership of fish resources, and state registration of persons and legal entities engaged in fisheries. Chapter II establishes the duties of the state and the principles of the state policy in the area of fishing, including but not limited to: protection of fish resources and their habitats, limitation of use of fish resources, protection of rare and endangered fish and other aquatic bioresources. Chapter III regards management of fish stocks, types of fishing activities, and obligations of the stakeholders engaged in fisheries. Chapter IV regards increase, repopulation and conservation of fish stocks. Chapter V regards protection of fish habitats, management of water conservation zones, and protection, monitoring and environmental impact assessment of water bodies subject to fisheries and aquaculture. Chapter VI provides for the economic regulation of fisheries and aquaculture, establishment of a fund for increasing, restoring and protecting water bioresources, and compensation for the harm given to fish and aquatic resources. Chapter VII regards international cooperation in the fields of conservation, sustainable use and management of fish and aquatic resources, and management of foreign fishing in fishing waters of Azerbaijan. Chapter VIII regards dispute settlement related to fishing activities and establishes liability for the infringement of the fisheries legislation.