Fisheries Act 1972.

This Act governs fishing operations within Bermuda fishing zone. It consists of 22 sections and 2 Schedules.
The Act begins with a list of definitions (sect. 1). Section 3 provides for the annual appointment of the Marine Resources Board which shall advise the Minister on matters relating to this Act and to the protection and use of the marine natural resources and their habitat. The Third Schedule annexed to the Act regulates the constitution and procedures relating to the Board. For the purposes of protection and conservation of marine living resources, the Minister may by order declare any area of the waters within the exclusive fishing zone to be a protected area (sect. 4), or may prohibit the taking of fish or certain methods of fishing (sect. 5). Import and export of fish are subject to the obtaining of a licence (sect. 6) as are commercial and scientific fisheries exercised by any person on board of a foreign vessel (sect. 7). Foreign vessels engaged in sport fishing, however, are not subject to such an authorisation but shall first report at the port of entry in Bermuda (sect. 7(2)(b)). Section 8 sets out the powers vested in fisheries officers in order to enforce the provisions of this Act. Sections 9 and 10 address the issues of custody and detention of vessels respectively. Section 13 sets out the matters upon which the Minister may make regulations for the promotion, development, improvement and protection of fisheries resources and the fishing industry. Penalties for subsequent conviction of same offence and penalty for possession of any prohibited article or fish are provided for under sections 14 and 17 respectively.
Section 18 stipulates that nothing in this Act shall apply to any person authorized by a permit issued by the Minister to take, sell, purchase or possess fish or fish of a specified description, size or weight for the purpose of scientific research (sect. 18(a)) or aquaculture (sect. 18(f)). Lastly, the First Schedule regulates the issue of forfeiture.