New Rules for Amateur Fishers Have Arrived
Official titleAmendment to the Communiqué on the Regulation of Fishing for Aquatic Products for Amateur Purposes No. 6/2 (Communiqué No: 2024/21) (No: 2026/26)
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has made substantial amendments to the Communiqué on the Regulation of Fishing for Aquatic Products for Amateur Purposes, updating the conditions for obtaining an amateur fishing certificate, the list of prohibited species, and fishing periods and limits. It has also made it mandatory for amateur fishing vessels to be licensed and prohibited fishing entirely in certain marine areas.
Before
The inability of young people under 15 to obtain an amateur fishing certificate with the approval of their natural guardian; different prohibited periods and fishing limits for certain fish species; the absence of fishing restrictions in certain regions; the absence of a licensing requirement for amateur fishing vessels; and the less frequent inspection of bluefin tuna fishing.
After
The ability of young people who have reached the age of 15 to obtain an amateur fishing certificate with the approval of their natural guardian; updating the list of species whose capture is entirely prohibited; changing the prohibited periods and fishing limits for species such as Dil balığı and Lagos; prohibiting fishing on floating islands not connected to the mainland; introducing a license certificate requirement for amateur fishing vessels as of 1 September 2027; making bluefin tuna fishing subject to a permit and documentation; and designating new restricted fishing zones, such as the area around the Çanakkale Bridge, Üç Adalar Mevkii, and the traffic separation lanes of the Straits of Istanbul/Çanakkale.
Details of the Regulation
Significant amendments have been made through this Communiqué to the Communiqué on the Regulation of Fishing for Aquatic Products for Amateur Purposes No. 6/2 (Communiqué No: 2024/21). First, persons who have reached the age of fifteen have been enabled to obtain an Amateur Fishing Certificate with the written approval of their natural guardian or guardian. This is a step that facilitates the participation of young people in amateur fishing activities.
Questions You Might Have
- Under the new regulation, can a young person aged 15 obtain an amateur fishing certificate?
- Yes, they can obtain an amateur fishing certificate with the written approval of their natural guardian or guardian.
- When will the new licensing requirement for amateur fishing vessels enter into force?
- As of 1 September 2027, it will become mandatory to obtain an “Amateur Fishing Vessel License Certificate.”
- What are the new fishing rules for Lagos fish?
- For Lagos, the minimum fishing size has been set at 50 cm, the number that may be caught has been limited to 1, and the fishing period has been set as 1 June - 31 August.
- In which areas around the Straits of Istanbul and Çanakkale was fishing prohibited?
- Fishing for aquatic products has been prohibited in the traffic separation lanes of the Straits of Istanbul and Çanakkale.
- Has a new rule been introduced for amateur fishers engaged in bluefin tuna fishing?
- Yes, amateur and recreational bluefin tuna fishing is subject to a permit, and it is mandatory for the provincial or district directorates to issue a Bluefin Tuna Catch Document (e-BCD) for the bluefin tuna caught.
Key Terms
- Amatör Balıkçı Belgesi
- The official document authorizing individuals to fish for aquatic products for amateur purposes.
- Yasak Dönem
- The period during which fishing for certain aquatic products is temporarily prohibited during their reproduction and growth periods.
- Amatör Balıkçı Gemisi Ruhsat Tezkeresi
- The official licensing document that vessels used in amateur fishing activities are required to hold.
- Orkinos Yakalama Dokümanı (e-BCD)
- A document compliant with international standards that ensures the electronic recording of bluefin tuna caught in bluefin tuna fishing.
- Trafik Ayırım Şeridi
- Marine areas designated to regulate maritime traffic in which vessels must proceed in certain directions.
Affected Sectors
- Aquatic products fishing
- Recreational fishing
- Shipping
- Tourism
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REGAS Commentary
This Communiqué contains important amendments that will directly affect everyone engaged in amateur fishing. In particular, the new list of prohibited species, the amended fishing periods and limits, and the license certificate requirement mean that fishers must be informed of and comply with the rules. These regulations are of great importance for preserving biological diversity in the seas and ensuring sustainable fishing. Amateur fishers must carefully examine the new rules and ensure compliance in order to avoid possible sanctions.