---
title: "Fishing Rights and Permits"
url: "https://legal.ge/en/service/environmental-and-energy-law-en/fishing-rights-and-permits-en"
field: "Environmental & Energy Law"
description: "Fishing rights and permits: the fishing licence, aquaculture permits and the application. Legal.ge."
reviewed: "2026-07-09"
updated: "2026-10-23"
publisher: "legal.ge"
---

# Fishing Rights and Permits

> Source: legal.ge, https://legal.ge/en/service/environmental-and-energy-law-en/fishing-rights-and-permits-en

## The licensing regime of fishing

Fishing in Georgia is recognized as the use of a state resource, and for that reason the Law on Licences and Permits places it in the list of use licences: a fishing licence is provided for. It must be said plainly: the detailed rules for the exploitation of wild fish resources — seasons, prohibited places, gear — are regulated by separate sectoral legislation; the basis of this page is precisely the licence-and-permit instruments.

The fishing licence belongs to the family of use licences — the same list contains the licences for the extraction of useful minerals, the use of subsurface space, oil and gas, hunting economy and others. This classification has a practical consequence: use licences are issued by auction, apart from the exceptions provided by law, and the general rules of auction extend to fishing as well.

The full text is available on legal.ge after signing in: https://legal.ge/en/service/environmental-and-energy-law-en/fishing-rights-and-permits-en

### Which licence is required for fishing?

The fishing licence, which is in the list of use licences; the detailed rules for exploiting wild resources are regulated by separate sectoral legislation.

### What is the difference between aquaculture and fishing?

Aquaculture is an activity regulated by a permit; fishing is the use of a state resource regulated by a licence.

### Which aquaculture permits exist?

The aquaculture permit and the extensive aquaculture permit; an integrated environmental permit is also provided for, entering into force on 1 September 2026.

### How is the application submitted?

In writing, under the procedure of the General Administrative Code; the application must indicate the type of permit and the list of attached documents.

### When may a permit be refused?

If the application is defective and not corrected in time, if the permit conditions are not met, or if the right to act in the sphere has been deprived by court judgment.