Marine Fisheries Ordinance 1983 (Ordinance No. XXXV).

This Ordinance contains 11 Parts divided into 55 sections: Preliminary (I); Administration (II); General Provisions Governing Licences (III); Local Marine Fishing Operations (IV); Foreign Marine Fishing Operations (V); Appeal (VI); Prohibited Fishing Methods (VII); Marine Reserves (VIII); Powers of Authorized Officers (IX); Offences and Legal Procedures (X); Rules (XI).
Under Part I, section 3 provides that the Government may exempt any non-mechanised and limited horsepower local fishing vessel from the general provisions governing licences. The Governement may also determine a specific zone in which only the aforementioned vessels may engage in fishing operation (sect. 3(2)). Under Part III fixing the general provisions governing licences, licences are not transferable except with written permission of the Director and the holder of a licence has the duty to provide information regarding catch. In order to be issued a licence, local fishing vessels shall be registered and shall have been inspected (Part IV). Fishing operations conducted by foreign fishing vessels are subject to prior authorization (Part V). Decision made by the Director or a fisheries officer can be appealed against (Part VI). Prohibited fishing methods are set out in Part VII and include use of explosives, and use of fishing nets with unlawful mesh size. For conservation and management purposes, the Government may declare any area of the Bangladesh fisheries waters and any adjacent or surrounding land to be a marine reserve (Part VIII). Part IX and X deal with powers of authorized officers, and offences and legal procedures, respectively. Lastly, Part XI sets out the matters upon which the Government is authorized to make rules.