The Fisheries Law was promulgated in 1986 and amended in 2000, 2004, 2009 and 2013 respectively. The latest revision entered into force on December 28, 2013.

There are 50 articles in total.

The key points are as follows:

1.All productive activities of fisheries, such as aquaculture and catching or harvesting of aquatic animals and plants in the inland waters, tidal flats and territorial waters of China, or in other sea areas under the jurisdiction of China, must be conducted in accordance with this Law.

2.In fishery production, the state shall adopt a policy that calls for simultaneous development of aquaculture, fishing and processing, with special emphasis on aquaculture and with priority given to different pursuits in accordance with local conditions.

3.The State determines the total fishable amount of the fishery resources and implements fishing quota system in accordance with the principle that the fishing amount shall be lower than the increasing amount of the fishery resources.

4.The State implements fishing license system on fishery industry.

5.Fishing licenses for fishing in the jointly managed fishery zones and the countries concerned or on the high seas shall be granted upon approval by the administrative department for fisheries under the State Council.

6.Fishing operations on jurisdictional seas of other countries shall be approved by the department in charge of fishery administration of the State Council.

7.Foreigners and foreign fishing vessels must obtain permission from the relevant department under the State Council before entering the territorial waters of t China to carry on fishery production or investigations of fishery resources, and must abide by this Law.

8.It is prohibited to fish and kill, or hurt the aquatic wild animals under the State’s key protection. Where it is needed to fish the aquatic wild animals under the State’s key protection due to scientific research, domestication and breeding, exhibition or other special circumstances, it shall be executed in accordance with the provisions in the Wildlife Protection Law.