Regulation no. 2020/R-100 on Conduction of Marine Research in the Maldives.

This Regulation, made in pursuance to Section 22 (a) and (b) 13 of the Act no. 14 of 2019 (Fisheries Act of the Maldives), concerns: monitoring all marine and fisheries research activities conducted within the maritime zones of Maldives; and facilitating the conduction of the marine research on the maritime zones, marine organisms, marine resources, fishing and fishing related activities, marine environment, or marine ecosystem of the Maldives, in accordance with the Maldivian Legislation and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). The Regulation provides for: research activities whose conduction is not covered by this Regulation, including: research conducted by the Ministry or in collaboration with the Ministry, relating to the marine environment and marine organisms; research and surveys conducted within the scope of Environment Impact Assessments. Matters covered by this Regulation include: requirements for research permits; issuance of permits and application fees; delaying the commencement of research and related reasons; permission for foreign individuals to conduct research within the maritime zones of the Maldives; collection and utilisation of data; monitoring of research, inspection and enforcement activities; export of samples for research purposes; discovery of items classified as cultural heritage; prohibited activities; penalties; compensation; definition of relevant terms, including: Maldives internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, exclusive economic zone and sea floor; marine organisms, meaning: all organisms living in fresh waters, salt waters, or the sea, whether animal or plant, or whether having a characteristic of a fish or not, shellfish, turtles, lobsters and crabs.