Legislative Decree No. 226/2001 laying down guidelines and modernizing the fishery and aquaculture sector, in accordance with article 7 of Act No. 57 of 2001.

This Legislative Decree consists of 10 articles. Article 1 lays down the principles governing fishery and aquaculture sectors. Such principles mainly aim at protecting the environment and consumers' health. Article 2 gives the definition of fishery enterprises. National provisions in force concerning registration, qualification and authorization shall apply to fishery and aquaculture activities. Fishing districts shall be established by Ministerial Decree to ensure the regional management of biological resources (art. 4). Within 180 days from the entry into force of this Decree, the Ministry for Agricultural and Forestry Policies as well as the Regions, on the one hand, and national associations, on the other hand, shall sign agreements aimed at: a) developing eco-sustainable technologies for aquatic ecosystems; b) creating associations for the protection of quality fish products. The Central Fund for Fishery Credit, established by Act No. 41 of 1982, shall grant subsidies to the associations referred to in article 8 in order to ensure the effectiveness of credits granted to enterprises and cooperatives which operate in the fishery and aquaculture sector.