Decree No. 43.713 regulating Law No. 14.181 on the policy to protect aquatic fauna and flora and to develop fishing and aquaculture in the State.

This Decree regulates Law No. 14.181 on the policy to protect aquatic fauna and flora and to develop fishing and aquaculture in the State. It classifies fishing into the following categories: Category "A" - amateur, carried out for the exclusive purpose of leisure, licensed by the competent body, permitted to use specific methods, subdivided into: a) Subcategory "A1" - amateur fishing, carried out without a boat, using specific gear. b) Subcategory "A2" - amateur fishing on board, comprising Subcategory "A1", using a boat. Category "B" - professional fishing, as a main livelihood, by fishers registered and licensed with the competent body, specific to each river basin in the State, subdivided into: a) Sub-category "B1" - professional fishing, carried out by professional fishers licensed to use specific methods. b) Subcategory "B2" - apprentice professional fishers, using the fishing equipment provided for in Subcategory "B1", with the authorization of their parents or legal guardian. Category "C" - subsistence, practised by needy people in public domain environments, intended to support the family. Category "D" - scientific, practised exclusively for the purpose of research and/or management. Category "E" - sport fishing, carried out for the purposes of competition, subject to licensing. Category "F" - harvesting, intended to catch aquatic species for commercial and management purposes, subject to regulation by the competent body.
The rational and sustainable exploitation of fishing resources must ensure the maintenance of the local ecosystem and ecological balance. The fishing gear, methods or techniques permitted are those listed in Article 8 and the licences, registrations or authorizations, by specific category, are those defined in complementary rules issued by the competent body.