Decree No. 097/PS of the President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on the Promulgation of the Law on Aquatic and Fisheries (Amended).

This Law determines the principles, regulations and measures relating to the management, monitoring and inspection of aquatic and fishery activities, aiming at ensuring the management, protection, development and utilization of aquatic animals and fisheries to achieve quality and safety, ensuring food security and commodities production in line with green and sustainable direction, allowing regional and international integration, contributing to the national socio-economic development.
The Law consists of 99 Articles divided 11 Chapters: General Provisions (I); Aquatic Animals (II); Fisheries (III); Research, Analysis and Information System Related to Aquatic Animals and Fisheries (IV); Aquatic and Fishery-related Business (V); Group, Cooperative and Association Relating to Aquatic Animals and Fisheries (VI); Prohibitions (VII); Management and Inspection of Aquatic Animal and Fishery Activities (VIII); Budget, Uniform, Logo, Officer’s Identity Card, Seal and National Fish and Aquatic Animal Release Day (IX); Rewards for Persons with Good Performance and Measures Against Offenders (X); Final Provisions (XI).
Aquatic animals in Laos are divided into three categories: 1. Prohibited category (List I): These aquatic animal species are rare, and faced with risk of extinction. 2. Controlled category (List II): These aquatic animal species are not yet threatened with extinction, which are valuable for the ecosystem, socio extinction. 3. General category (List III): These aquatic animal species, which are capable to reproduce widely in the nature, have fewer restrictions.
In terms of management of aquatic animals, Chapter II makes provisions for: 1. Registration and declaration of lists of aquatic animals; 2. Trade in aquatic animals; 3. Movement of aquatic animals; 4. Import, export, re-export and transit of aquatic animals; 5. Transport of aquatic animals; 6. Establishment of aquatic zoo; 7. Aquatic farming; 8. Aquatic circus show; 9. Production of documentary film on aquatic animals; 10. Aquatic conservation tourism; 11. Aquatic animal museum; 12. Storage of aquatic animal carcasses, parts and products; 13. Mitigation of project development impact on aquatic animals; etc. For import, export, and transit of export of aquatic animals in List 1, it is required to seek the permit from the Government based on the proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. In terms of aquatic animal protection and development, Chapter II makes provisions for: 1. Aquatic animal survey; 2. Identification of aquatic habitat and aquatic species preservation zone; 3. Establishment of fish conservation zone; 4. Establishment of aquatic animal health rehabilitation center; 5. Aquatic animal development; etc.
According to Chapter III, fisheries consist of two models : 1. Family fisheries; 2. Commercial fisheries. Aquatic animals in List I acquired from nature or other places which are not yet bred shall be not permitted for raising, except in necessary cases, such as research and breeding for non-commercial purposes. Aquatic animals in List I are absolutely not permitted for catching, except in necessary cases for research and breeding for non-commercial purpose that require to seek the permission from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Individuals, legal entities or organizations which engage in aquaculture must carry out disease prevention regularly in accordance with the instructions of the Agriculture and Forestry sector. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry shall define the list of notifiable aquatic animal diseases based on the Notifiable Aquatic Animal Diseases of the World Organization for Animal Health and then notify the public in each period. Article 65 makes provisions for disease control in case of occurrence of notifiable aquatic animal disease outbreak.
The rights and duties of the Ministry Agriculture Forestry Rights incluide: Issue, suspend or withdraw the Business Operating License related to aquatic animals and fisheries; Manage, approve the aquatic animal lists of all categories in Lao PDR; Issue the aquatic animal breed, health and sanitary certificates; Set out the technical standards related to aquatic animals and fisheries, such as: aquaculture, catching and processing; etc. (Article 85).