Marshall Islands Marine Resources Act 1997.

An Act to make provision for the management, conservation and development of fisheries resources of the Marshall Islands and the development of the fisheries industry, and in relation with this the establishment of the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority.
The text consists of 125 sections divided into 12 Parts: Preliminary (I); Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (II); Fisheries conservation, management and development (III); Management and development of local fisheries (IV); Trade, commercial sale, export (V); Foreign and domestic based fishing and related activities (VI); Licenses, registration (VII); Monitoring, control and surveillance (VIII); Miscellaneous (IX); Jurisdiction, legal proceedings and evidence (X); Forfeiture and disposition of seized or confiscated property (XI); General (XII).
Section 2 contains a long list of definitions. The Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority is established as a body corporate under section 3. The powers and functions of the Authority (outlined in section 11) shall be vested in and exercised by a Board of Directors. The Authority has the power to make Regulations regarding all matters listed in section 12 and for other matters relating to conservation and management of fisheries in the Marshall Islands. A Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority Fund is established under section 14. Payments into the fund are specified in section 15, whereas payments out of the Fund are specified in section 16. The Authority shall ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of fisheries resources and shall adopt management measures for this purpose in accordance with section 21 and following. The Authority may authorize a fishery as designated fishery under section 25. Section 28 concerns protection of artisanal fishery. Further the Authority may declare Fisheries Exclusion Zones (sect. 29), and cooperate with authorities of other States for the purpose of conservation of highly migratory stocks (sect. 30). Section 31 and following place restrictions on use of gear (e.g. use of driftnets), release of fish and the taking of turtles, sponges and trochus. Part IV outlines powers of local authority for purposes of management and development of local fishing, including establishment of local fisheries committees and adoption of Local Government Council Fisheries Management Ordinances. A designated local fishery may be declared under section 47. Sections 59 and 60 set out terms of validity and minimum requirements of access agreements. The Authority may require fishing plans to be attached to a fishing licence (sect. 76).