Ecuador: Organic Law for the Development of Aquaculture and Fisheries (2020)

Ecuador's Organic Law for the Development of Aquaculture and Fisheries, published on April 21, 2020, in Supplement No. 187 of the Official Gazette, establishes the national legal framework for the development, regulation, oversight and promotion of aquaculture and fisheries activities. It covers harvesting, collection, reproduction, breeding, cultivation, processing, storage, distribution, domestic and international marketing, and related activities. The law promotes sustainable use of aquatic biological resources through an ecosystem-based approach, conservation of aquatic ecosystems, and respect for traditional and ancestral production practices. It establishes provisions on fisheries management, authorizations, controls, quality and food safety of aquaculture and fisheries products, traceability, prevention of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and administrative violations and penalties. It also provides mechanisms to support aquaculture and fisheries development, improve production conditions and facilitate access to domestic and international markets. Its target groups include artisanal and industrial fishers, aquaculture producers, producer organizations, processing and marketing companies, and public institutions responsible for sectoral regulation. Within agrifood systems, the law contributes to the regulatory conditions for sustainable aquatic food production, food security and competitiveness of aquaculture and fisheries value chains. It is a national legal framework of continuing application, distinct from its implementing regulations and individual sector support programs.