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4.33.   Fishing activities in the Dominican Republic require a fishing licence issued by CODOPESCA[the Dominican Fisheries and Aquaculture Council]. Fishing licences, which are non-transferable, specify the fishing activity for which they are granted, the type of usable gear and the place of operation and are valid for a period of two years, renewable successively for another two years. In granting new or renewing existing fishing licences, CODOPESCA takes into account the state of the resources to be exploited under the requested licence so as to ensure their sustainability. Preference is therefore given to the renewal of existing licences over the granting of new ones. Licences are granted and renewed for a fee.

4.34.   To engage in fishing in any of its forms, Dominican vessels must obtain a fishing vessel permit issued by CODOPESCA[the Dominican Fisheries and Aquaculture Council]. (...)

Table 4.4 Major agricultural sector institutions, 2022
(...)
Institution: Dominican Fisheries and Aquaculture Council (CODOPESCA)
Function: Promotes the sustainable development and management of fisheries, aquaculture and the environment.
(...)

Table 4.5 Government agencies involved in the fisheries sector
(...)
Agency: Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources
Function: Responsible for environmental management, ecosystems and natural resources (including fishery resources).
(...)

Table 4.5 Government agencies involved in the fisheries sector
(...)
Agency: National Maritime Affairs Authority (ANAMAR)
Function: Responsible for the research, conservation and sustainable use of living and non living marine resources and for harmonizing the government's maritime policy so as to ensure consistency with international law.
(...)

4.38. In addition to the above-mentioned requirements, natural and legal persons engaged in fishing must comply with all established conservation measures (restricted or prohibited areas, catch limitations, protected species and specimens, and prohibited fishing gear and equipment), declare the species and quantities caught to the authorities ashore, comply with all fishing safety measures set by CODOPESCA[the Dominican Fisheries and Aquaculture Council] and not contaminate waters, coastal areas and the environment in general.

4.39. (...) Authorization from CODOPESCA[the Dominican Fisheries and Aquaculture Council] is also required to engage in aquaculture. If the activity is carried out in an area that is publicly owned, a concession is required as well. Applications for authorization must include an environmental assessment specifically identifying the possible environmental impact. Such authorization is not granted in cases where the activity is intended to be carried out in a special protection area or an area declared to be of special interest by the Government. The authorization may be revoked in the event of non-compliance with the conditions by the fish farmer or if necessary to protect the environment. (...)

4.43. Dominican legislation provides for various fisheries management measures aimed at preserving fishery resources (Box 4.1). Responsibility for most of these measures falls to CODOPESCA[the Dominican Fisheries and Aquaculture Council], which is also in charge of monitoring compliance with such measures, with the support of the police, the Navy and civil society.

Box 4.1 CODOPESCA measures for the preservation of fishery resources
CODOPESCA's fishery resource preservation powers include:
• requesting that the Executive create fishery reserve areas in waters under Dominican jurisdiction;
• limiting the fishing effort and establishing the total allowable catch (TAC) to prevent overexploitation;
• prohibiting the unauthorized exploitation of fishery resources where appropriate;
• establishing the catch and closed season;a
• limiting specimen size and catch quantity;
• granting catch licences for lobster and lambi and for ornamental species; and
• authorizing any extraction of any aquatic resource not intended for human consumption.
a See, for example, Decree No. 119-12 of 14 March 2012 establishing a closed season for several species of lobster throughout the national territory; Decree No. 499-09 of 7 July 2009 establishing a closed season for lambi throughout the national territory; and Decree No. 813 08 of 5 December 2008 establishing a closed season for several crab species throughout the national territory.
Source: Law on Fisheries and Aquaculture of 3 December 2004.

4.44. The Dominican Republic adopted the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, but is not a party to the Agreement on Port State Measures, which aims to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The Dominican Republic participates in the following regional fisheries bodies: the Central America Fisheries and Aquaculture Organization (OSPESCA); the Commission for Small-Scale and Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture of Latin America and the Caribbean (COPPESAALC); the International Whaling Commission (IWC); the Aquaculture Network for the Americas (RAA); and the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission (WECAFC). The Dominican Republic also has a memorandum of understanding with the members of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism.