Fisheries (Regulation of Foreign Fishing Boats) (Amendment) Act, No. 1 of 2018.

This Act amends Fisheries (Regulation of Foreign Fishing Boats) Act, No. 59 of 1979 (hereinafter referred to as the “principal enactment”) is hereby amended by the substitution for the word “Secretary”, wherever that word occurs in the principal enactment or any regulation, rule, notice or notification of the word “Director-General”. 3. Section 3 of the principal enactment is hereby amended as follows: (1) by the repeal of marginal note to that section and the substitution therefor of the following:- “Armed forces etc. to co-operate in implementation and enforcement of this Act.”; (2) by the substitution for the words “The commanders of the armed forces shall”, of the words “The Commanders of the armed forces, the Director General of Coast Guard of the Department of Coast Guard established under Department of Coast Guard Act, No. 41 of 2009 and any other person designated by name or by office by the Minister in writing shall”. Amendments deal with administrative and legal proceedings, specifying new offences and penalties for illegal activities.
In particular, amendments establish specific provision on: a) any (abandoned) foreign fishing boat seized and detained under this Act; and b) any action is instituted under this Act against the master, owner, charterer or any person on-board if any, of a foreign fishing boat. Liability for costs and damages. Contravention of provisions of several sections in the territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone to be an offence. Retention of boat, fishing gear etc. until conclusion of trial. Master, owner etc., deemed not to be guilty in certain circumstances.