Fisheries Act, 1983 (Act No. 14 of 1983).

The Act is divided into 5 Parts: Preliminary provisions (Part 1); Fisheries management and development (Part 2); Marine reserves and conservation measures (Part 3); Enforcement (Part 4); General provisions (Part 5).
Section 3 stipulates that the Minister shall promote the development of fisheries. An appointed Chief Fisheries Officer assisted by a Fishery Advisory Committee (sect. 5) shall prepare and keep under review a plan for the management and development of fisheries (sect. 4). Regional cooperation arrangements or agreements may be entered into with a view of harmonising licence procedures, collection of data, enforcement measures etc. (sect. 6-1). With regard to allocation of fishing rights to foreign fishing vessels, section 7 stipulates that the Minister, with the approval of the Cabinet, may enter into access agreements. The Act differentiates two kinds of fishing licences: a) a foreign fishing licence (sect. 8); b) a local fishing licence (sect. 11). It defines the requirements and conditions attached to each type of licences (sects. 12 to 15). Section 18 deals with fish processing establishments. Section 19 provides for the designation by the Minister of local fisheries management area and Local Fisheries Management Authority. The latter shall have the power to regulate the conduct of fishing operations in the designated area (sect. 20). Fishing priority area or marine reserve may be created upon declaration of the Minister respectively in sections 21 and 22. Section 23 regulates the fisheries research operations. Sections 24 and 25 deal with prohibited fishing methods and gear. Part IV covers enforcement measures including powers of authorized officers (sect. 27), court's power of forfeiture (sect. 33), and Minister's power to compound offences. The last part is devoted to general provisions including the Minister's power to make regulations for the management and development of fisheries.