Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act 1996, No. 2 of 1996.

This Act provides for the management, regulation, conservation and development of fisheries and aquatic resources in Sri Lanka. It comprises 67 sections in 10 Parts. Part I deals with fisheries administration. It institutes a Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Advisory Council to advise the Minister of Fisheries on all matters relating to fisheries and aquatic resources management (sect. 3). Part II deals with licences. A licence must be obtained for fishing which must be practised in accordance with the conditions attached to the licence. The licence is valid for a maximum of one year and can be renewed but not transferred. Any infringement of Sri Lanka fisheries legislation can lead to the withdrawal of the licence. Fishing boat registration is covered by Part III. The Director is responsible for keeping the register of local fishing boats. All boat-owners wishing to fish in Sri Lanka waters must register their vessel. Aquatic resource protection measures are dealt with in Part IV. Prohibitions and restrictions are imposed on certain fishing methods, and on imports and exports likely to adversely affect the management of aquatic resources in Sri Lanka. It also empowers the Minister of Fisheries to issue regulations setting up fishing zones to be allocated to local groups of fishermen. The fishermen may also make recommendations regarding fisheries management. Part V deals with fisheries reserves in which, except upon a permit obtained from the authorities, it is prohibited to fish or damage the ecosystems. Part VI relates to aquaculture. Certain zones are set aside for the purpose of aquaculture, for which a licence is required, to which certain terms and conditions are attached. Part VII deals with the settlement of fishing disputes. Lastly, Parts VIII and IX deal, respectively, with the powers of the fisheries administration officers, and the fines and penalties for offences against fisheries legislation. Part X sets out the powers of the Minister of Fisheries and provides definitions of the main terms used in the Act.