Regulation no. 2020/R-4 on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU Fishing.

This Regulation, made in pursuance to subsection (h), subsection (i) and subsection (j) of Section 71 of the Act no. 14 of 2019 (Fisheries Act of the Maldives), concerns: procedures for fishing vessels and vessels undertaking fishing activities that use the ports of the Maldives; measures for eliminating illegal fishing and fisheries related activities performed by foreign fishing vessels within and outside the Special Economic Zones of the Maldives; the enforcement of international agreements on Port State Measures. The Regulation applies to: fishing vessels and vessels undertaking fishing activities, not registered in the Maldives; persons, vessels and land vehicles related to the activities covered by this Regulation. Matters covered by this Regulation include: determination of fishing ports for foreign vessels; requirements to comply with before entering into ports; categories of vessels and conditions for prohibiting the entry into ports; exempts for vessels in distress conditions; permits to use port services and their denial; procedure to conduct inspection of vessels; requirements for vessels registered in the Maldives; definition of relevant terms, including: all organisms living in freshwater or saltwater and in the sea, whether animal or plant; fishing activities; transshipment of fish or fisheries products; storing, purchasing and processing of fish and fishery products; export of fish and fish products; landing.