Law No. 176 “On fishing and the protection of living aquatic resources”.

This Law regulates the protection, conservation, repopulation, management and efficient exploitation of living aquatic resources in natural aquatic habitats, as well as the marketing of products obtained from fishing, when this activity is carried out: (a) on the national territory; and (b) in the waters under the national jurisdiction of Romania by vessels under the Romanian flag or under the flag of other states. Natural aquatic habitats shall be considered the territorial Danube, the Danube Delta and the floodplain. This Law represents the general regulatory framework, on the basis of which secondary legislation for the fisheries sector is issued, and establishes measures regarding: (a) the organization and administration of the fisheries sector; (b) the administration, protection, conservation, stocking, restocking and efficient and sustainable exploitation of living aquatic resources from the natural aquatic habitats; (c) the structural policy in the field of fisheries; (d) the management of the capacity of the fishing fleet; (e) the organization of the market for products obtained from commercial fishing; (f) scientific research in the field of fisheries; (g) data collection and control in the field of fisheries; (h) international relations in the field of fisheries; (i) the responsibilities and sanctions applicable in the field; (j) ensuring food resources represented by fish and other aquatic organisms; (k) supporting producer organizations for the sustainable development of fishing activity; (l) promoting a policy favorable to the inclusion and balanced development of fishing areas; (m) the implementation of the integrated maritime policy of the European Union; and (n) the allocation of fishing rights. Commercial or recreational fishing is prohibited on a flowing watercourse within 500 m downstream of a dam and in the network of main canals in irrigation and hydropower systems, as well as in their branches, whose water surface width is less than 300 m. Each fishing vessel or watercraft shall complete an electronic fishing logbook for the purpose of recording commercial fishing activities. It establishes rules and regulations for non-commercial (recreational) fishing and determines authorized fishing gear. This Law contains XIII Chapters divided into 60 Articles. Chapter I lays down general provisions. Chapter II establishes the competence of the National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture. Chapter III regards protection, conservation and exploitation of living aquatic resources. Chapter IV establishes measures for the management of living aquatic resources and monitoring of commercial fishing activities. Chapter V regards recreational fishing in natural aquatic habitats. Chapter VI establishes structural policy and management of production capacities. Chapter VII regards fishing fleet. Chapter VIII regards establishment of base ports/landing points and first sale of fishery products. Chapter IX regards marketing of fish products. Chapter X regards fishing for scientific research purposes. Chapter XI regards international relations. Chapter XII establishes liability and penalties. Chapter XIII establishes transitional and final provisions.