Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, 1997 (Cap. 66:05).

This Act provides rules relative to the conservation and management of the fisheries of Malawi. There shall be appointed an officer to be designated as the Director of Fisheries who shall be responsible for the conservation of fish stocks; the assessment of fish stocks and the collection of statistics, the development and management of fisheries; the monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing operations, the regulation and control of fishing operations, including aquaculture and operations ancillary thereto, etc. The same article also designates fisheries protection officers. There is hereby established a board to be known as the Fisheries Advisory Board. The Board shall advise the Minister generally on the development, administration, conservation and management of the fisheries of Malawi and shall in particular consider and advise on fisheries management plans and reviews of the plans prepared by the Director prior to the submission of such plans or reviewed plans to the Minister. The purpose of this Part III is to provide for local community participation in conservation and management of fisheries in Malawi. For proper management of fisheries, the Director may enter into a fisheries management agreement with any local fisheries management authority providing for: a) management plan; and b) assistance to be provided by the Department of Fisheries. Part IV makes provision for registration of local registrable fishing vessels. "Local fishing vessel" is defined in section 2. Part V concerns fishing by foreign fishing vessels. No foreign fishing vessels shall be used for commercial fishing in the fishing waters unless the owner or charterer thereof is authorized to fish by a licence granted under Part VI of this Act. Section 13 provides for notification of fish on board by foreign fishing vessels entering fishing waters. Part VI concerns granting of fishing licences to foreign vessels, stowage of gear, and transshipment and export of fish. Part VII makes provision in respect of special fishing. Part VIII concerns aquaculture. There is hereby established a fund to be known as the Fisheries Fund (sect. 22). The remaining provision of the Act deal with enforcement (Part X), prohibitions and offences (XI), court proceedings, administrative proceedings and penalties (XII), international cooperation in fisheries (XIII), and miscellaneous matters (XIV). (63 sections)