Ausnahmegenehmigung Fischfang und Fischbesatz: Erteilung

The Lower Saxony Fisheries Act (Nds. FischG), the Lower Saxony Inland Fishing Ordinance (BiFischO ND) and the Lower Saxony Coastal Fisheries Regulations (NKüFischO) regulate the details of fishing and fish stocking. According to this, certain facts are completely prohibited and other actions are only permitted with special permissions.

In particular, it is prohibited:

• the catching of year-round protected and undersized fish,
• the capture of fish during their species closed season,
• fishing in fishing lanes,
• in territorial seas, the use of fishing gear specified in the coastal fishing regulations, which generally go beyond hand fishing;
• the stocking of fish and crustacean species not listed in the annex to § 12 paragraph 3 BiFischO ND or in the territorial sea the release of non-native species and
• the use of electrofishing gear.

1. For fishing, you need a fishing permit, which is issued by the person entitled to fish or the fishing tenant for the respective water. In addition to the fishing permit, you must also carry the fishing license or identity card with you.
    
2. For fish stocking with non-approved species or fishing for scientific purposes, for the sustainable management of waters or for conservation measures, please contact the above-mentioned locally competent authority with an informal application and a detailed justification.
    
3. In order to obtain a permit for electrofishing, in addition to the above application, you must also submit proof of training (operating license), proof of sufficient liability insurance that includes electrofishing and proof of a valid TÜV permit for the device to be used.

According to the General Schedule of Fees, the following are due for official permits or exceptions:

There are no deadlines to observe.

1. The fishing permit is a permit under private law, the fee for which is determined by the respective fishing rights holder.
   In the case of the fishing permit, the requirements and conditions may go beyond the legal requirements. Experience has shown that a contact person for a fishing permit is the local fishing association, which you can inquire about through the state sport fishing associations. The links to these associations can be found on the page about the fishing license.

2. Exemptions from the prohibitions and catch limits may only be granted if this is necessary for scientific purposes, for the sustainable management of waters or for conservation measures. An exemption from fishing in fishing lanes can only be granted for scientific purposes and functional checks.

3. The authorisation to use electrofishing gear does not include the right to fish under private law (fishing permit). Further information on electrofishing can be found on the website of the State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety.

Depending on the location of the water, the responsibility lies with the Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety and the State Fisheries Office Bremerhaven.