REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON PEACE – WORK – FATHERLAND
LAW No. 2024/019 OF 24 DEC 2024
TO LAY DOWN THE RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE IN CAMEROON
PRESIDENCE DE LA REPUBLIQUE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC SECRETARIAT GENERAL SERVICE DU FICHIER LEGISLATIF ET REGLEMENTAIRE LEGISLATIVE AND STATUTORY AFFAIRS CAPO INDEX SERVICE COPIE CERTIFIEE CONFORME CERTIFIED TRUE COPY
The Parliament deliberated and adopted, the President of the Republic hereby enacts the law set out below:
# CHAPTER I ## GENERAL PROVISIONS
I- PURPOSE AND SCOPE
SECTION 1: (1) This law governs fisheries and aquaculture.
In this regard, it seeks to:
- lay down the rules and regulations governing fisheries, aquaculture and related activities, with a view to achieving the general objectives of the fisheries and aquaculture policy;
- promote integrated, responsible, participative and transparent management of the fisheries and aquaculture sub sector;
- ensure the sustained and sustainable preservation, protection and use of fishery resources and their ecosystems;
(2) It includes all the rules governing the exploitation, preservation, protection and development of fishery resources in all maritime and inland waters under Cameroon jurisdiction.
(3) It takes into account the usage rights of the local populations.
SECTION 2: This law shall apply to:
- fishing in all waters under Cameroon jurisdiction;
- aquaculture activities;
- fishing and fishing support vessels operating in waters under Cameroon jurisdiction, both Cameroonian-flagged and foreign-flagged;
- Cameroonian-flagged fishing and fishing support vessels operating in deep-sea and in waters under the jurisdiction of third countries, without prejudice to the specific provisions of international agreements;
- fishing gear and equipment;
- treatment, processing, storage and distribution establishments of fishery and aquaculture products;
PRESIDENCE DE LA REPUBLIQUE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC SECRETARIAT GENERAL SERVICE DU FICHIER LEGISLATIF ET RELÉMENTAIRE LEGISLATIVE AND STATUTORY AFFAIRS CARD INDEX SERVICE COPIE CERTIFIÉE CONFORME CERTIFIED TRUE COPY
- stakeholders responsible for the monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing, aquaculture and related activities.
II- DEFINITIONS
II.1- FISHERIES
SECTION 3: For the purposes of this law and its implementing instruments, the following definitions shall apply:
state aircraft: aircraft belonging to the armed forces or a paramilitary corps;
fisheries officer: any person duly vested with police fisheries powers at sea and inland waters, including the fisheries authority, the Navy or any other competent authority;
fishing licence: document authorizing a natural person or legal entity to fit out industrial fishing vessels thereby becoming a ship owner;
marine protected area: coastal and marine area within national jurisdiction specially dedicated to the protection of marine ecosystems, processes, habitats and species likely to contribute to the restoration and reconstitution of resources necessary for economic, social and cultural enrichment, and including fishing, research, nursery, protection, recreational zones, etc.;
fisheries management: integrated process of data and information collection analysis, planning, consultation and decision-making on resource allocation, formulation and implementation, with enforcement where necessary, of regulations or rules governing fishing activities, to ensure the continued productivity of resources;