Measure requires biometrics and registration with CadÚnico; MTE must offer mobile units to serve those who live in isolated areas
The president (PT) sanctioned Law 15,399 of 2026 with vetoes, which establishes new rules for granting unemployment insurance to artisanal fishermen during the closed season, in which fishing is prohibited for the preservation of species. The text was published on Tuesday (May 5, 2026) in the DOU (Official Gazette of the Union). Here’s the (PDF – 140 KB).
The benefit is worth 1 monthly minimum wage during the closed season. To receive it, artisanal fisherman must complete biometric registration and be registered in the CadÚnico (Single Registry).
You also need to prove the exercise of fishing activity through the annual report with information on sales between closed periods. The document must follow deadlines and criteria established by Codefat (Deliberative Council of the Worker Support Fund) and will be submitted to the MTE (Ministry of Labor and Employment).
For the 2026 financial year, only the Reap (Annual Fishing Activity Report) will be required, as it was carried out in a .
Here are the requirements:
- Biometric and Unique Registration
- Proof of Fishing Activity
- Reap requirement in 2026
The law determines that the MTE must promote means for fishermen in areas with technological limitations or physical restrictions to comply with the identification and documentary proof requirements. The means involve mobile units, for example.
If the benefit is excluded due to biometric failures or other problems, the fisherman will have free review channels available, which can be accessed directly or with the support of qualified fishing entities.
FIGHTING FRAUD
The legislation brings consequences for fraud in the system. They include:
- sanctions for fisherman: suspension of activity and cancellation of registration for 5 years.
- responsibility of entities: if an entity representing artisanal fishing collaborates in any way with fraud, it will be prevented from forming partnerships provided for by law and will have any contracts cancelled.
According to the text, the MTE is obliged to report occurrences of fraud to the INSS, the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Combating Hunger and the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
It is up to the Union to establish monitoring mechanisms for updating socioeconomic and productive data.
Vetoes
Lula vetoed provisions that would allow fishermen’s associations and cooperatives to intervene in granting the benefit.
The president also vetoed the section that exempted verification from CadÚnico and Social Security.
