Cabinet Resolution No.243 of 2005 regarding the fisheries protection system.

This Regulation consisting of 50 articles aims at (i) translating what mentioned in the Agriculture Law to formulate a general national policy for fishing and aquaculture; (ii) proposing the general plan for the protection of fish wealth and its long-term conservation, sustainability, development, processing, and proper exploitation; (iii) organizing fishing and aquaculture; (iv) establishing programs to protect the marine environment, reduce pollution of fishing waters, work to treat the environmental effects harmful to fish wealth resulting from human activities, avoid surplus fishing capacities; (v) developing investment in fisheries; (vi) pursuing scientific research; (vii) establishing standards of conduct for all workers in fisheries and aquaculture and developing fishing methods; (viii) enhancing the contribution of fisheries and aquaculture to food security (at this end, the administration shall undertake the following 1- supervise the implementation of programs and public policy, and the organization of work and management therein, 2- propose the fees required to issue licenses, permits, conditions, and regulations and submitting them to the Minister for approval by the Council of Ministers, 3- supervise the implementation of agreements and contracts concluded by the Minister, 4- take into account the best available scientific evidence to assess the prevailing state of fisheries, 5- collect data and information and conducting research to achieve the goals of the system, 6- work to educate fishermen and those working in the fisheries sector, and follow up their activities inside the Palestinian waters, 7- determine the general conditions that must be observed when building boats and equipment in locations close to fishing waters or inland waters, define the specifications of fishing vessels and what must be available in them in all aspects, specify the devices and equipment permitted to be used in fishing and fish farming and their specifications, along with specify the devices and equipment prohibited to be used because of their danger to the workers or to the living aquatic wealth, 8- determine the types of fish and living aquatic resources that are prohibited to be caught for a specific or indefinite period in all or some of the fishing waters or inland waters and the sea floor and its subsoil, and determining the minimum size of their permissible fishing and in which seasons, 9- set conditions for fish preservation and circulation); (ix) taking the necessary measures to coordinate with governmental, cooperative, and private agencies working in the field; (x) in consultation with the counterparts of the region, develop a joint plan for the exploitation and management of the shared living aquatic resources and measures for managing them by means of agreement or declaration of intentions as the case may be.
Chapter II deals with permits and establishes that (i) foreign fishing boats are prohibited from fishing in Palestinian waters unless any agreement has been concluded with the State of Palestine to the contrary, and in this case they may not fish without obtaining a license; (ii) it is prohibited to engage in the profession of fishing or diving without a license from the administration in exchange for the fee; (iii) to request a boat or fisherman license (valid for two years) it is needed to submit an application; (iv) boat data have to be recorded in the statistical record; (v) fishing licenses cab be issued for the purpose of carrying out research and scientific studies by the Minister; (vi) rules for fishing for non-commercial purposes. Chapter III regards the protection of fisheries and the marine environment and provides for (i) prohibited fishing methods and actions; (ii) ban of killing reptiles, mammals, or waterfowl, or transporting or collecting their eggs or trafficking in them without permit; (iii) ban of fishing in natural reserves, experimental and research areas, and ports and sea lanes; and (iv) ban of taking sand or uprooting of rocks from the coasts, or changing the nature of the seabed, except with permission from the administration based on the approval of the Minister.
Aquaculture is dealt with in Chapter IV and (i) it is necessary a license; (ii) the department works to improve the selection of appropriate fish and feeds for cultured fish projects and to set standards for the safe and effective use of substances, vaccines, hormones and drugs; (iii) it is not permissible to introduce any kind of live fish into the Palestinian territories for the purpose of breeding or cultivating them except after verifying their suitability in the Palestinian environment and not affecting them with marine biodiversity. In Chapter V it is regulated the import, export and marketing of fish and fishing gear, in particular (i) licenses and approval; (ii) rules for foreign fishing boats; (iii) data, methods of manufacturing and preserving; (iv) consumer's right to have safe and healthy fish or fish products; (v) import or sell of live ornamental fish without approval. Chapter V regards the inspections.