Decree No. 9/98 establishing that is incumbent upon the Ministers of Fisheries and the Economy and Finance to grant the Licensing for Industrial Fishing vessels.

This Decree amends article 17 of Decree No. 4/96 on the exploitation policy for National fisheries. Amendments establish new compentent authorities, entitled for fishing licensing. Industrial fishing licences will be issued by the Ministry of Fisheries and for artisanal fishing by the respective local authorities.
Chapter 4 establishes terms and conditions for a fishing licence. Chapter 5 deals with artisanal fishing vessel requirements (log-book, allowable catch, prohibitions, landing, controls to be made on board by inspectors, etc.). Chapter 6 specifies the markings to be displayed on hulls for different types of fishing vessels. Chapter 7 establishes protective measures for the conservation of fisheries resources such as: minimum mesh size, fishing gear requirements, minimum size or weight of fish species, protected species and fishing zones. A model application form for industrial fishing licences is contained in annex I. A model form for fishing authorizations in the EEZ of Guinea-Bissau is contained in Annex II. Annex III contains a model fishing log-book. annex IV lists the International Allocation of Call Signs (with alphabet and numbers). Annex V lists the minimum size and weight of protected species (specified in article 61) and the species whose capture is prohibited.