Law No. 4 of 1983 on the exploitation and conservation of living aquatic resources in Qatar.

The Law applies to fishing in "inland waters, sea-bed and subsoil of the State of Qatar (art. 2).
The 32 articles are divided into 6 Parts: Definitions (I); Regulation of Fishing (II); Conservation and Development (III); Handling, Marketing and Processing (IV); Offences and Penalties (V); General Provisions (VI).
The Minister may, upon approval of the Council of Ministers, establish a "Board of Living Aquatic Resources". The Board shall include representatives of government and non-government bodies (art. 4). Regulation-making powers of the Minister are specified in article 5. Articles 7 to 15 make provision for licences including for foreign fishing vessels. The competent authority shall announce close seasons (art. 16). Activities needing special permission from the Minister are listed in articles 17 and 18. The competent authority shall determine areas suitable for aquaculture (art. 19).