KARAYEL: THE NUMBER OF FISH WILL RISE DUE TO NEW LAW
Turkey has proposed changes to its fisheries laws to stem marine pollution, crack down on poaching, and impose heavy penalties on violators, a lawmaker of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party said. "This is a new disciplinary mechanism for sustainable fishing and fish resources, and protecting the environment," Ismail Emrah Karayel told Anadolu Agency. The proposed changes were made in coordination with the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry, Fisheries and Aquaculture Directorate and Coast Guard Command, he said. Speaking at an event discussing changes to the 1971 fisheries law, Karayel, a lawmaker from the central Turkish province of Kayseri, said the changes will make the law more relevant and stiffen penalties for wrongdoing. Karayel said first-time offenders found trawling or seine net fishing will have their licenses suspended for a month, followed by a three-month suspension for a second offense, and license revocation for third-time offenders. Under the chang...