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The project was built in a participatory manner, breaking a historical cycle of legislation and regulations developed without the sector's involvement
Brazilian Fishing Sector Presses for Legal Framework to Modernize the Industry
BRAZIL
Monday, December 15, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)
Bill 4789/2024 Seeks to Separate Aquaculture from Traditional Fishing, Promote Artisanal Practices, and Ensure Clear Environmental and Social Rules.
The Federal Senate hosted fisherwomen and fishermen from across Brazil on Tuesday (09) to intensify discussions surrounding Bill 4789/2024, which proposes a comprehensive National Policy for Sustainable Fisheries Development. This legislation is viewed as critical for updating the sector and protecting the livelihoods of those who depend on the country's seas and rivers.
The proposal, which has been collaboratively developed over several years, was passionately defended by professionals during a Public Hearing held by the Environment Committee (CMA). Marly Lúcia Souza, an artisanal fisherwoman and national secretary of Women at Confrem Brasil, emphasized the urgency: “This law is not about vanity, it’s a necessity. It’s about guaranteeing the life of the biomes and the people who depend on fishing for food and survival.”
The primary goals of the project include promoting artisanal fishing, increasing the visibility of women fishers, and establishing effective monitoring and management tools. Martin Dias, scientific director of Oceana, summarized the sector's demands: "We want legal security, environmental sustainability, and the future of fishing in Brazil."
A key element of Bill 4789/2024 is the clear separation of fishing and aquaculture—a distinction currently blurred in existing legislation, which leads to confusion and economic setbacks. The bill recognizes that artisanal fishing is constrained by natural limits and closed seasons, while aquaculture constitutes a controlled cultivation activity. Arlene Costa, from the Artisanal Fishermen and Fisherwomen's Movement, stated, "It is necessary to differentiate the two to protect the sector and the environment."
The legislation also addresses the needs of industrial fishing. Jairo Gund, from Abipesca, stressed the need for decisions based on statistics and science to set catch limits and ensure the activity's long-term viability. "As long as the law allows for improvisation, we run the risk of losing the sector," he cautioned.
For many, the bill represents crucial social justice and recognition for grassroots efforts. José Alberto Ribeiro, known as Beto Pescador, highlighted that the proposal was collectively built by hundreds of leaders by listening to the daily experiences of those who fish for a living. “This law isn't imposed from the top down. Brazil and those who live from the sea are the winners,” he remarked.
Bill 4789/2024 is the culmination of over 600 hours of meetings involving 150 leaders between 2022 and 2024. Having already passed the Agriculture and Agrarian Reform Committee, the bill is now undergoing open debates and adjustments in the Environment Committee before it proceeds to the Chamber of Deputies.
Bill 4789/2024 was defended by fisherwomen and fisherwomen who filled the room of the Environment Committee (CMA) in the Senate. Photo: Oceana/Tainá Hurtado
The hearing successfully gathered a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from artisanal and industrial fishing, the government, and civil society organizations such as MPP, Confrem Brasil, Abipesca, Peixe-BR, CNA, MMA, MPA, and the Federal University of Sergipe.
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