This Order establishes a new regulatory framework for commercial and recreational fishing in the non-maritime inland waters of the Tagus River (Tejo). Its principal objective is to ensure the sustainable management, conservation and exploitation of the estuary’s biological resources while safeguarding a highly valuable and environmentally sensitive ecosystem that includes protected areas such as the Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve and Natura 2000 sites. The regulation updates the previous fishing regime by defining authorised fishing methods and gear, setting operational restrictions, regulating bivalve harvesting, and strengthening monitoring and control measures. It also introduces specific conservation provisions, including restrictions on fishing practices that may damage habitats and a gradual phase-out of boat-towed dredging techniques, particularly the use of beam trawling (arrasto de vara), in line with habitat conservation and ecosystem restoration objectives. The Order further seeks to balance the economic interests of fishing communities with long-term environmental protection through catch limits, closed seasons, licensing requirements, spatial restrictions, and enhanced data reporting obligations. It creates the Tagus River Fisheries Monitoring Committee (Comissão de Acompanhamento da Pesca do Rio Tejo), which brings together fishing representatives, scientific institutions, environmental authorities and maritime bodies to advise on fisheries management and conservation measures. Special provisions are also introduced for the management of bivalve fisheries, including controls on harvesting activities and monitoring requirements.
Portugal · 2026-07-06