Ministerial Decree 243 on fishery of fish and other aquatic biological resources.

The classification of fish and aquatic biological resources included in the Red Book of the Azerbaijan Republic, fishing quotas, and fishery rules for fish and aquatic resources shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Decree. The marine and freshwater resources used for fishing purposes are the Azerbaijani section of the Caspian Sea, rivers, lakes, water reservoirs, water supply channels and other surface water streams, water tanks, artificial fish pond, and transboundary waters. The purposes of fishing are specified in the Decree as (i) commercial, sports, and amateur, (ii) aquaculture, (iii) scientific research, education, capacity building, and inspection, and (iv) acclimatization of fish and aquatic biological resources. In order to preserve fish and aquatic biological resources, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources shall be responsible for carrying out controls in fishing areas, designating areas for fishing purposes, permit and licensing procedures, controlling fishing vessels, boats and other vehicles, fishing gear, and fish harvesting, dispute settlement, and offences and penalties. This Decree sets forth provisions on commercial fishing of fish and aquatic biological resources in Part 2, fishing for aquaculture, scientific research, education, capacity building, inspection, and acclimatization purposes in Part 3, circumstances and rules of hunting of fish and aquatic biological resources included in the Red Book of the Azerbaijan Republic that specifies the status of rare and endangered wild animals and wild plants in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Part 4, licensing and permit procedures in Part 5, conditions and procedures of restriction, suspension or termination of fishing in Part 6, fishing quota allocations in Part 7, dividing fishing quotas in Part 8, recreational fishing in Part 9, and catch-and-release methods in sports fishing in Part 10. Furthermore, the Annex-I lists the prohibited and permitted areas, fishing gear and seasons, and the types and sizes of fish and aquatic animals allowed for commercial fisheries. The Annex-II lists the prohibited and permitted areas, fishing gear, and the types, quota and sizes of fish and aquatic animals allowed for recreational fishing. The Annex-III lists the valuable fish and aquatic species. The Annex-IV lists the fish and aquatic species intended for fishing. In addition to these Annexes, the templates for fishing permit are attached to this Decree.