The Austrian Fisheries Policy

A man fishing out in his trout farm
Photo: BML

Guidelines of the Austrian fisheries policy focus on the topics of greening and sustainability.

Austria can look back at a long tradition of fishing. Ever since the Middle Ages, pond farming has made a valuable contribution to the preservation of fish stocks and food security. Economic, ecological and legal framework conditions, Austria's geographical position as a landlocked country, and the EU's Common Fisheries Policy characterise domestic fisheries policy.

The implementation of the Common Market Organisation (CMO) in fishery and aquaculture products has caused corresponding effects (e.g. marketing standards, consumer information, etc.).

From 2021-2027 Austrian fish farmers can obtain funding for structural improvements under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).

Guidelines for Austrian fisheries policy

Austria advocates an increased ecological orientation of fisheries and its legal basis. The prime goal is to preserve the natural diversity of species and the genetic variability of the fish fauna (e.g. by restoring endangered species):

  • Qualitative and quantitative survey of fish stocks
  • Guiding principles and measures for sustainable fisheries utilisation and ecological management of fishing waters
  • Statistics on fish stocking and catches
  • Improving production conditions in pond fish farming and trout breeding
  • Modern orientation of fish farming towards ecology and fish health
  • Autochthonous stocking material

Organisation of fish producers in Austria

Fish producers are organised in the umbrella organisation "Österreichischer Verband für Fischereiwirtschaft und Aquakultur” (“Austrian Association for Fisheries and Aquaculture") (ÖVFA). The umbrella organisation consists of the following associations: “Niederösterreichischer Teichwirteverband” ("Lower Austrian Pond Farmers Association"), “Teichwirte- und Fischzüchterverband Steiermark” ("Styrian Pond Farmers and Fish Breeders Association"), “Verband Österreichischer Forellenzüchter" (“Association of Austrian Trout Farmers” (VÖF), “Verein Österreichischer Seenfischer” ("Association of Austrian Lake Fisheries”), "ARGE Biofisch" and “Österreichischer Indoor Aquakulturverein” "Austrian Indoor Aquaculture Association".

New dialogue platform in the Austrian fisheries sector

In 2000, the “Österreichische Fischereibeirat” ("Austrian Advisory Board for Fisheries") was founded as an advisory body to the Ministry of Agriculture. In order to take account of the further development of the institutional framework conditions at EU level, this organisation was revised in 2007 to become the “Informationstagung EU-Fischereiangelegenheiten und Aquakultur” "Information Meeting for EU Fisheries affairs and Aquaculture", or briefly IFA.

The aim of this dialogue platform is the homogeneous implementation of Community legislation in Austria. Synergies and simplifications are to be found by means of the exchange of knowledge and experience between different administrative levels. The aim is to strengthen national cooperation. The intensive dialogue is not only intended to strengthen Austria’s position in matters of relevance to fisheries, but is also to lead to an interlinked exchange of information in all other areas concerned, like water and environment.

The dialogue platform is organised by the Federal Agency for Water Management (BAW), the Institute for Aquatic Ecology and Fisheries Management in Scharfling (BAW-IGF) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Fisheries.

Legal basis of fisheries in Austria

The legislation and enforcement concerning fisheries (professional and recreational fishing) falls with the sphere of competence of the Federal Provinces (Article 15 paragraph 1 BVG). The laws on fisheries are therefore adopted by the Provincial Parliament and executed by the district administration authorities (in most Federal Provinces) as authorities of first instance or the provincial governments in second instance. The provincial governments adopt corresponding ordinances required for the implementation of these laws or individual special provisions thereof.

Fisheries is part of agricultural and forestry production. It is therefore exempted from the scope of the Industrial Code (see Section 2 (3) Industrial Code 1973).

Individual provincial laws regulate the following points, among others:

  • Fishing permit
  • Fishing ground
  • Fishing district
  • Leasing
  • Management regulations

Further information