Legal Requirements of Trawl Fishing in International Law: Presenting an Optimal Model in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman

Abstract

Trawl fishing refers to a method of catching aquatic species using large funnel-shaped nets attached to boards on both sides, which are usually dragged along the seabed by vessels. Despite its long history, this fishing technique causes severe environmental damage and threatens marine ecosystems. In recent years, the activities of Chinese trawlers in Iran’s territorial waters have sparked controversy and raised serious concerns. The purpose of this study is to examine the legal requirements of trawl fishing under international law and to propose an optimal model for the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. This research seeks to address the following questions: How do the legal mechanisms of international conventions regulate trawl fishing, and how are they implemented in the Persian Gulf? What are the legal gaps in regional cooperation within the Gulf, and how can the proposed model address these shortcomings? The study adopts a descriptive method, with data collected through library research, relying on the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and FAO instruments concerning port state jurisdiction and combating illegal fishing. The findings indicate that transitioning from general international frameworks to comparative regional legal models—led by countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia in establishing a Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO)—not only resolves existing inefficiencies but also ensures the long-term sustainability of ecosystems and the livelihoods of coastal communities in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. The study further recommends convening a regional conference under FAO supervision to draft executive protocols and operationalize this model.