37. In presenting document FI:SCA/2001/6, the Secretariat underlined the importance of adopting a workable legal regime including a specific aquaculture law dealing with factors crucial for enabling sustainable commercial aquaculture operations, such as permits to conduct aquaculture, land and water rights, and environmental issues. However, there is no single ideal legislation. Each country must mould its legal framework in the light of its own legal and institutional heritage and the particular problems it faces.
38. The Consultation admitted inadequacies in the existing legislations in many countries and requested assistance from FAO in undertaking legal reviews of the national legislations pertaining to aquaculture and in drafting new specific aquaculture law.
39. The Consultation underlined further the importance of regional collaboration and cooperation in developing aquaculture legislation and urged countries to build network of relevant institutions e.g. land, water and environment authorities to promote commercial aquaculture. Given the myriad of laws and regulations likely to impact on aquaculture development and in most countries, the absence of any aquaculture specific legislation, the Consultation encouraged countries to prepare informative guidelines or manuals summarizing steps a potential aquaculture developer should take prior to starting an aquaculture activity.
