Law of Georgia on Aquaculture (No. 6408-IIS of 2020)

This Law regulates aquaculture activities and establishes the legal framework governing their implementation in Georgia. It defines aquaculture, its forms and related concepts, and sets out the scope of application of the Law in marine waters and internal water bodies. It regulates relations arising in the implementation of aquaculture activities, including the use of water bodies and land, the allocation of areas for aquaculture, and the exercise of state control over such activities.
The Law establishes requirements for the conduct of aquaculture activities, including the use of aquaculture structures, technologies, and methods for the cultivation and rearing of aquatic organisms. It regulates the management of aquaculture objects, including feeding, health management, and prevention of disease and escape of organisms. It also regulates the use of water and land resources, the operation of aquaculture facilities, and the collection and maintenance of data related to aquaculture activities.
The Law establishes the system of state management in the field of aquaculture. It defines the competences of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and the bodies within its system, including the National Environmental Agency. It regulates the establishment and functions of the Aquaculture Interagency Council and the Aquaculture Advisory Council, including their roles in coordination, review of applications, and assessment of issues related to aquaculture activities and the introduction of species.
The Law regulates aquaculture permits and establishes the procedure for their issuance. It provides for the submission and review of applications, including the requirement to submit technical, environmental, and economic information. It sets the duration of permits and regulates the conditions attached to them, including obligations relating to production capacity, water quality monitoring, implementation of measures to prevent disease and environmental impacts, reporting and record-keeping, and compliance with legal and technical requirements.
The Law regulates aquaculture activities in marine waters and land-based systems. It provides for the designation of zones for aquaculture in marine areas, the adoption of management plans for such zones, and the establishment of environmental monitoring programmes. It also regulates the use of land and water resources through lease arrangements and defines the relationship between lease rights and aquaculture permits. It establishes obligations for aquaculture operators, including site restoration, compliance with monitoring and control requirements, management of waste, and notification of competent authorities in cases affecting aquaculture activities.