Zelenskyy signed a law on the development of fisheries: investors will be attracted through auctions

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law “On Stimulating the Economic Development of the Fisheries Industry”, which provides for new mechanisms for attracting investments in the fisheries industry. The document introduces transparent auctions for investors, strengthens environmental control and guarantees citizens free access to public water bodies.

This was reported by the press service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

What does the new law on fisheries provide for

On October 20, 2026, the Verkhovna Rada received Law No. 5018-IX signed by the President, adopted on the basis of draft law No. 12384.

The document is aimed at creating transparent conditions for attracting private investments in fisheries and modernizing the industry.

The main innovations relate to three areas:

Investments and auctions. A competitive mechanism for attracting investors to the development of fisheries enterprises is being introduced.
Citizens’ access to water bodies. The law provides for guarantees of free access for the population to public water bodies.
Ecological control. The requirements for monitoring the condition of water bodies and compliance with environmental legislation are being strengthened.

The Verkhovna Rada emphasizes that the new rules should make the industry more open to investment and promote its economic development.

How auctions will work for investors

One of the key provisions of the law is the introduction of transparent auction procedures to attract investment in fisheries.

The new mechanism will apply to the following areas:

Aquaculture – growing fish and other aquatic organisms in controlled conditions.

Mariculture – growing aquatic organisms in the marine environment.

Special commercial fisheries – economic activities related to the cultivation and use of aquatic bioresources in designated water bodies.

It is assumed that competitive procedures will contribute to attracting business, developing production and creating new economic opportunities in the industry.

At the same time, the specific conditions for participating in auctions will be determined in accordance with the provisions of the law and the procedures for its implementation.

Will Ukrainians be able to freely use water bodies

Legislators paid special attention to protecting citizens’ rights to use water bodies.

The law provides for guarantees of free access of the population to public water bodies.

This means that attracting private investment in fisheries should not automatically lead to restrictions on citizens’ rights to general water use stipulated by law.

At the same time, the procedure for access to specific water bodies must comply with the requirements of water, land and environmental legislation.

Strengthening environmental control

The new rules are also aimed at strengthening control over the ecological state of water bodies.

In particular, the law provides for stricter supervision of compliance with environmental requirements during fisheries activities.

Such an approach should ensure a balance between business development and the preservation of aquatic ecosystems.

The parliament notes that the adopted document is of strategic importance for the industry, which has significant potential for economic development.

When will the new rules come into effect?

The Verkhovna Rada adopted draft law No. 12384 in a repeated second reading and as a whole on October 13, 2026.

On October 20, it became known about its signing by the President of Ukraine.

At the same time, signing the law does not mean that all its provisions will automatically come into force. The specific terms of application of the new rules are determined by the final and transitional provisions of the document, as well as the procedure for its official publication.