Azerbaijan Moves to Modernize Fisheries Sector with Digital Management and Scientific Quota System
Azerbaijan is preparing to introduce a comprehensive new fisheries law aimed at modernizing the country’s fisheries sector through digital technologies, scientific resource management, and stronger oversight to combat illegal fishing.
Under the proposed legislation, authorities will establish an integrated digital fisheries management system designed to register and track fisheries businesses, fishing vessels, fishing gear, fisheries infrastructure, and fishery products entering the market. The system will improve transparency while supporting more effective monitoring and enforcement across the industry.
According to the draft law, all relevant fisheries data will be stored within the information system operated by the institution designated by the relevant executive authority. The collection and processing of information will comply with the Republic of Azerbaijan’s Law on Personal Data, ensuring data protection while strengthening regulatory oversight.
The legislation also introduces data-sharing mechanisms between government information systems. Information relating to fisheries water bodies, including fishing grounds, will be transferred between designated authorities to maintain complete and accurate records within the country’s state cadastre and real estate register.
A key feature of the proposed reform is the introduction of science-based fish stock quotas, ensuring that fishing limits are determined using scientific assessments to promote the sustainable use of marine resources. The draft also emphasizes greater transparency in issuing fishing permits through electronic registration systems and digital approval processes.
To strengthen compliance, the legislation provides for real-time monitoring and the use of remote tracking technologies for fishing operations. Authorities will also establish technical standards for fishing vessels, fishing gear, and fisheries infrastructure, alongside mandatory registration and control systems.
These measures are intended to reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing while improving fisheries governance and supporting the long-term sustainability of Azerbaijan’s aquatic resources.
Once the legislation comes into force, it will replace the country’s existing Law on Fisheries No. 457-IQ, originally adopted on March 27, 1998, marking a significant step toward a digitally managed and more transparent fisheries sector.
