Baku: A new draft law titled "On Fisheries" has been prepared and discussed at today's meeting of the Milli Majlis, APA reports. The draft law, which comprises 8 chapters and 30 articles, aims to modernize the fisheries sector in Azerbaijan.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the draft law introduces mechanisms for the digitalization of fisheries management. This includes the registration and tracking of fisheries entities, resources used, and products circulated, all facilitated through advanced information systems. The planned system will collect comprehensive data on fisheries entities, facilities, infrastructure, gear, and vessels, aligning with the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Personal Data." Furthermore, information on fisheries water bodies and fishing grounds will be integrated into the state cadastre and the state register of real estate to ensure data completeness.

The draft law also outlines the scientific determination of fish stock quotas, transparency in fishing permit issuance, real-time monitoring, and the application of electronic registration and remote tracking technologies. Additionally, it sets technical requirements for fishing vessels, gear, and infrastructure, and introduces registration and control systems to combat illegal fishing and promote efficient resource use.

Once enacted, the new law will repeal the existing Law "On Fisheries" No. 457-IQ dated March 27, 1998. The draft was put to a vote and successfully adopted in the first reading.