Rules to Prevent Incidental Capture and Mortality of Aquatic Mammals, Sea Turtles and Seabirds in Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Resolution issued by Venezuela's Ministry of Popular Power for Fisheries and Aquaculture establishes rules to prevent incidental capture and mortality of aquatic mammals, sea turtles and seabirds during fisheries and aquaculture activities within the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The regulation applies to all natural or legal persons, whether public or private, engaged in artisanal, industrial or recreational fishing and aquaculture activities in Venezuelan waters. It prohibits retaining protected specimens on board, transporting, selling, consuming or using them as bait, as well as causing disturbance, interference, injury, damage or death during fishing or aquaculture operations. When incidental capture occurs, specimens must be returned to their natural habitat while avoiding disturbance or harm, and the event must be reported to the Ministry of Popular Power for Fisheries and Aquaculture. Captains or authorities of fishing vessels must record sightings and interactions involving protected species in fishing logbooks and submit the information to the Socialist Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INSOPESCA). Persons engaged in fisheries and aquaculture are required to adopt mitigation measures to reduce incidental capture. The Resolution was published in Official Gazette No. 43,344 on March 27, 2026 and entered into force on the same date.