All restrictions are related to the fact that recreational fishing does not become abusive to marine species and the environment, does not disturb the many vacationers on the beaches, and in the meantime is carried out under fair fishing conditions.
During the exercise of recreational fishing activity, the following are prohibited: fishing during the period from sunset to dawn; spearfishing by persons under the age of 16; the sale of fish caught during this activity is highlighted in Article 45 of the Law on Fishing, which also defines the restrictions for recreational fishing.
Another by-law that examines restrictions on recreational recreational fishing is the directive of the Minister of Agriculture dated April 11, 2022.
In the general rules chapter of this instruction, it is emphasized that during recreational fishing, the following fishing tools are used in all water categories:
a) no more than 2 rods per fisherman and no more than 3 hooks per rod;
b) no more than 10 hand hooks per fisherman;
c) small hand net.
The directive also regulates the amount of fish an angler is allowed to catch. The fisherman catches no more than 5 kg of fish products per day and this amount can be exceeded if a single individual weighing more than 5 kg is caught.
The amount of fish allowed to be caught has been increased in relation to the determination of the law or by-laws originating from the "Fishing Law" of 2005 which allowed the catch of only 3 kg of fish or fish product.
The guidance warns of those species for which fishing is restricted. The exercise of recreational fishing activity is carried out in accordance with the measures established for those species that are under a limited effort regime, such as eel, bluefin tuna and spearfish. During the exercise of the activity of recreational fishing, it is not allowed to kill the spawning herds.
Even for tourism fishing, the above provision defines rules that must be kept in mind.
According to the instructions, the following fishing tools are used during the exercise of tourist fishing activity in marine waters:
a) no more than 3 traps per vessel;
b) bullets with a circumference of no more than 16 meters or with a diameter of less than 5 meters;
c) collection by hand, without using fishing tools and aids, of crustaceans and molluscs.
Meanwhile, another regulation approved in October 2021 by the Ministry of Agriculture has banned all fishing activities in the protected area "Karaburun-Sazan Marine National Park".
Where recreational fishing is carried out:
Recreational fishing activity cannot be carried out everywhere. It can take place at a distance of no less than 500 m from professional fishing gear.
The regulation determines that the exercise of recreational fishing activity is prohibited during the tourist season between 8:30 and 19:30, at a distance not less than 200 m from beaches and 100 m from rocky shores.
Exceptionally, this activity is carried out on moles and rocks even during the tourist season during closed hours, with reeds and hand hooks only in the absence of vacationers. With the arrival of vacationers, the activity is stopped immediately.
Meanwhile, the activity of sport fishing is not developed with professional fishing tools.
While for amateur underwater fishing, it is forbidden to use oxygen cylinders during diving; the occupation of corals, molluscs is prohibited; it is prohibited to enter areas frequented by tourists with a loaded rifle; it is forbidden to exercise the activity at a distance of less than 500 m from the beaches frequented by vacationers; it is forbidden to exercise the activity at a distance of less than 100 m on the rocky beaches.
All conservation and management measures that apply to commercial fishing in seas and inland waters are equally applicable to recreational fishing.
Penalties when the law and instructions are violated:
The Law on Fisheries has also provided for the sanctions that can be considered if certain provisions of this law are violated.
The fisheries inspectorate, in addition to the fine, imposes additional penalties and takes the necessary urgent measures in accordance with this law and the law on inspection.
Referring to this law, some of the administrative offenses that also affect recreational fishing and tourism are:
1. Disposal of liquid or solid waste that creates negative effects on the quality of the aquatic environment,
2. Release of non-indigenous fish species and/or other aquatic organisms, genetically modified fish species or other aquatic organisms, contrary to the provisions of letter "b" of Article 7 of this law, in the maritime space and waters domestic, punish
fine, from ALL 100,000 to ALL 500,000.
3. Underwater activities, aimed at fishing in places where permission has not been previously obtained from the responsible management authority, are punished with a fine from 10,000 ALL to 50,000 ALL.
4. The capture of juveniles, species of fish and other aquatic organisms not mature enough to reproduce or with sizes beyond those provided for in the by-laws, contrary to the provisions of this law, is punishable by a fine, from 100,000 ALL to in 500,000 ALL.
5. Exercising fishing activity and taking or destroying fauna and flora in protected water areas are punishable by a fine from 200,000 Lek to 1,000,000 Lek.
9. Catching fish and other aquatic organisms in violation of the order to prohibit fishing, out of season or in areas where fishing is not allowed, is punishable by a fine from 200,000 Lek to 1,000,000 Lek.
10. Possession of fish and other aquatic organisms with explosives, chemical substances or any other way that kills, intoxicates or poisons, is punishable by a fine from 1,000,000 to 5,000,000 Lek.
11. Keeping on board or on shore explosives or chemical substances that kill, poison or intoxicate fish and other aquatic organisms is punishable by a fine from 500,000 Lek to 2,500,000 Lek.
20. Exercising the activity of recreational - recreational fishing contrary to the provisions of Article 38 point 2 of this law (In no case and for any reason, the exercise of recreational - recreational fishing should not interfere, hinder, endanger or make difficult commercial fishing), is punishable by a fine from 5,000 to 10,000 ALL.
21. Collecting and/or trading fish and other aquatic organisms treated with explosives, chemical substances or any other way that kills, intoxicates or poisons, is punishable by a fine, from 100,000 Lek to 500,000 Lek.
22. Exercising the activity of amateur fishing, without being equipped with the relevant authorization or contrary to the provisions of articles 40 and 42 of this law, is punishable by a fine, from 500 allek to 1,000 allek.
23. Exercising the activity of tourist fishing, without being equipped with the relevant authorization or contrary to the provisions of articles 40 and 42 of this law, is punishable by a fine, from 50,000 allek to 100,000 allek.
24. Exercising the activity of recreational fishing contrary to the provisions of Article 45 of this law, is punishable by a fine: a) from 5,000 ALL to 10,000 ALL without a vessel; b) from ALL 50,000 to ALL 100,000 in case a vessel is used to commit the violation.
This article was prepared by the Center for Transparency and Free Information in the framework of the project "Identification and promotion of recreational and tourist fishing destinations in the coastal area of Durres and Lezha counties", supported by PNUD Albania.
