After Estonia’s accession to the European Union, the local fisheries are regulated by the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which covers the use and protection of fishery resources, the structure and market organisation policy, and foreign policy on fisheries. The latter also includes fisheries agreements with non-EU countries, and negotiations in international organisations.
The management of fisheries is divided between three bodies in Estonia – these authorities are the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, the Environmental Board, and the Agriculture and Food Board.
The areas of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture are the development of market organisation system, the award of structural supports and state aid, the management of aquaculture sector, commercial fishing (including issuing permits for commercial fishing, managing a national registry of fishing vessels and catch accounting).
The preparation and implementation of the Policy on the Protection and Use of Fishery Resources, including the reproduction of fish stocks and the protection and restoration of spawning grounds and habitats, are also managed by the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture.
The Ministry also provides permits for scientific research and special purpose fishing.
Recreational fishing card is provided and recreational fishing data are collected by the Environmental Board.
After Estonia’s accession to the European Union, the local fisheries are regulated by the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which covers the use and protection of fishery resources, the structure and market organisation policy, and foreign policy on fisheries.
