Law regulating the exploitation and protection of aquatic life (Law No. 48 of 1976).

Basic Law regulating fishing and aquaculture in 7 Chapters and 36 articles: Breeding and protection of aquatic life and waste disposal (Chapt. 1); General rules for fishing activities (2); Fishing gear (3); Marketing and industrialization of aquatic products (4); Dues and licenses (5); Penalties (6); General provisions (7).
Article 1 prohibits the use of mass destruction methods such as chemicals, explosives, or electrical energy, the use of gear which may harm eggs or fry, the pollution of waters in such way as to harm aquatic life, and the use of fixed gear which blocks the flow of water entirely. Various fish conservation measures may be proclaimed by the State Fisheries Company (art. 2). This Company shall also undertake fish breeding in public waters (art. 4) and the import and distribution of breeding fish and other aquatic species (art. 7). Fishing in the territorial waters of the Arab Gulf shall be governed by a special regulation to be promulgated within one year from the date of promulgation of the present Law (art. 9). Article 11 provides for fishing licences to be issued to vessels. Article 12 provides for personal fishing licences for professional fishermen. The Company shall supervise trading in aquatic life (art. 16).