Fishing legally: the Ivorian regulatory framework
The Ivorian regulatory framework for fisheries and aquaculture
Fishing responsibly means first of all fishing within the law. In Côte d’Ivoire, fisheries and aquaculture are governed by a recent and demanding legal framework, under the authority of the Ministry of Animal and Fishery Resources (MIRAH). This appendix sets out its main principles. It does not replace the official texts: for the exact values in force, anglers should always refer to MIRAH and the most recent orders.
The reference law
Law No. 2016-554 of 26 July 2016. This text, on fisheries and aquaculture, is the central legal framework. Organised into 121 articles in six titles, it sets out the principles for the conservation and sustainable management of fishery resources, organises fishing and aquaculture activities, and establishes the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing).
The biological rest period
Each year, the State suspends all or part of fishing during a period called the biological rest (closed season), to let species reproduce sheltered from fishing pressure. The closure is announced by notice from the Ministry of Animal and Fisheries Resources, usually at the end of June for a start on 1 July; the dates, zones and gear concerned change from one year to the next. In 2026, for example, artisanal sea fishing was suspended in July, trawlers and small pelagic fishing from 1 July to 31 August, and, in the lagoons and several lakes, gillnets and fish traps were banned for two months, until 31 October for certain gear or certain lakes. Before each season, check that year’s notice: it is authoritative.
Prohibited gear and practices
The law prohibits destructive fishing gear and methods. In particular, nets whose mesh does not meet the authorised dimensions are banned, because meshes that are too fine catch juveniles before they have been able to breed. Explosives, toxic substances and any non-selective method are also prohibited. Transshipment of catches at sea is prohibited (article 27). Fishing in a prohibited area or during a closed period is an offence.
Protected species
Catching, keeping and trading species protected by the international conventions ratified by Côte d’Ivoire is prohibited, except with authorisation. This directly concerns several species in this book: hammerhead sharks and other sharks listed by CITES, threatened rays, as well as sea turtles and marine mammals. The rule is simple: never target a protected species, and release any living individual caught accidentally with the greatest care.
Legal sizes and good practice
Beyond the law, three habits protect the resource and secure the fishing of tomorrow. Respect the minimum catch sizes set by order for the main species. Release juveniles and large breeders, which ensure the renewal of stocks. And limit your catch to what you will eat. In this book, the size benchmarks given for each species are common-sense biological benchmarks, not legal thresholds: the regulatory value always prevails.
Penalties
Offences are heavily penalised. Failing to respect the biological rest period, for example, exposes the offender, under article 105, to one to five years' imprisonment and a fine of 50 to 300 million CFA francs, or to one of these two penalties. Beyond the penalty, what is at stake is the future of a sector that feeds hundreds of thousands of people.
Update Fishing law changes. Biological rest dates, minimum sizes and the list of protected species are set by orders that change. Before the season, consult the Ministry of Animal and Fishery Resources (ressourcesanimales.gouv.ci) for the values in force. Information up to date as of the 2026 edition.