Federal Law No. 475-FZ “On artisanal fishing”.

This Federal Law regulates the relations arising in in the field of artisanal fishing. This Federal Law applies to inland waters of the Russian Federation, including internal sea, territorial sea of the Russian Federation land territory of the Russian Federation, which is used for artisanal fishing. Natural persons performing artisanal fishing acquire the right of ownership of extracted (caught) aquatic biological resources in accordance with civil law. Artisanal fishing shall be authorized for citizens free of charge with free access to waterbodies of common (general) use, with the exception of cases envisaged by this Federal Law and other federal laws. At water bodies owned by citizens or legal entities, artisanal fishing is carried out in in accordance with civil and land legislation. Artisanal fishing may be restricted or prohibited in waterbodies located on land of defense and security, protected areas and other land categories access of citizens to which is prohibited or limited under federal laws. Artisanal fishing shall be prohibited in waterbodies used for pond aquaculture and waterbodies used for land reclamation (irrigation) purposes except for cases pf authorized artisanal fishing of species not pertaining to aquaculture. This Federal Law applies additional restrictions to artisanal fishing: (a) fishing periods for artisanal fishing by citizens with the use of fishing nets in water bodies located in the regions of the North, Siberia and the Far East, for the purpose of personal of consumption; (b) prohibition of artisanal fishing with the use of explosives and chemicals, as well as electric current; (c) prohibition of artisanal fishing with the use of fishing nets except in the case established by Article 9 of this Federal Law; (d) prohibition of artisanal fishing by means of spearfishing (underwater hunting): 1) in places of mass recreation of citizens; 2) using individual electronic means of detecting aquatic biological resources under water; 3) with the use of diving suits and aqualungs (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus); 3) with the use of fishing gear used for underwater hunting above the surface of waterbodies; (e) daily rate (quota) of catch of aquatic biological resources. Artisanal fishing with the use of fishing nets in commercial waterbodies located in the North, Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation, is authorized for citizens for individual personal needs for personal consumption during authorized fishing periods as defined by fishery regulations, envisaged in Article 8 of this Federal Law, after registration and mandatory marking of such fishing gear by the piece. Use of gill nets shall be prohibited on the territory of the Russian Federation, except for the regions of the North, Siberia and the Far East of the Russian Federation. Use of fishing nets for artisanal fishing in fishfarming areas shall be prohibited.