Fisheries Law of the Maldives (Law No. 5/87).

An Act relating to fishing, capturing or taking of living resources in the seas of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Maldives. The Ministery of Fisheries is empowered to formulate and administer regulations on matters relating to fisheries and shall oversee all fisheris activities in the country (sect. 3). Commercial fishing by foreigners or Maldivians jointly with foreigners, requires a permission of the Ministry of Trade and Industries (sect. 5). Fishing for export or other commercial purposes in the EEZ beyond " the area most commonly used by Maldivians for fishing" shall be conducted under the authority of the Ministry of Trade and any party wishing to undertake such fishing shall sign an agreement with the Ministry for that purpose. Other paragraphs of section 6 specify contents of such an agreement. Entrance into the EEZ of unlicensed fishing vessels requires a permission of the Ministry of Fisheries (sect. 7). For purposes of conservation, the Ministry of Fisheries may restrict fishing in accordance with provisions of section 10. Other provisions of the Law deal with research fisheries, enforcement measures and offences. Section 14 defines the "fishing grounds most commonly used by Maldivians" in the EEZ. (14 sections)