Commercial fishing

Fishing authorisations

1. The fishing authorisation of a fishing vessel grants the right to fish by commercial fishing gear at sea up to the external border of the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Estonia, outside the waters under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Estonia if the state guarantees the right to fish there, or on the open sea (§ 39 of the Fishing Act).
2. A fisherman's fishing authorisation grants the right to fish, except by commercial fishing gear at sea up to the 20 m isobath, on Lake Peipus, Lake Lämmijärv and Lake Pskov, on Narva River and the Narva reservoir, or on other internal water bodies. A fisherman's fishing authorisation for catching flounder grants the right to catch flounder at sea, irrespective of the depth of the sea. A fishing vessel entered in the national registry of fishing vessels with a valid fishing vessel certificate may be used for commercial fishing (§41 of the Fishing Act).

The Environmental Board monitors fishing, provides recreational fishing cards and collects recreational fishing data. A fisherman's fishing authorisation or fishing authorisation of a fishing vessel is issued by the Department of Fisheries and Market Management of the Agriculture and Food Board.