Amendments to Fishing Rules Simplify Procedures and Strengthen Municipal Role

The Council of Ministers approved amendments to Decision No. 712, dated July 31, 2013. This decision regulates public competition procedures for fishing rights in inland waters, as well as other forms of fishing at sea without vessels and the development of aquaculture on public land and water areas.
According to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Andis Salla, the changes aim to simplify and modernize the management of water resources for fishing and aquaculture by introducing faster, more efficient procedures.
The new decision strengthens the role of local self-government units by transferring competencies for managing inland waters to them, including public competition procedures in the fishing sector. According to Salla, this change aims to give municipalities a stronger role in local governance and economic development by enabling them to manage water resources for both irrigation and fishing.
This mechanism is expected to ensure the integrated management of agricultural reservoirs, increase their productivity, reduce bureaucracy, and promote local economic development.

The application and competition process will be conducted entirely online through the e-Albania portal. Applicants will submit a business plan, which will be evaluated by the relevant municipal commissions.
According to the minister, fishing in agricultural reservoirs is socially important because it is mainly carried out in rural areas, creating opportunities for additional family income and integrated development with other economic activities.
The goal of this decision is to improve the management of water resources for irrigation and fishing and strengthen the role of local governments in administering and developing these sectors.