Fisheries (Amendment) Act (No. 18 of 2017).

This Act makes minor changes in section 2 regarding the definitions of the types of fishing vessels and licenses. Section 12 laying down the general licensing provisions is amended and adds section 12A regarding term of license or authorization, section 12B regarding refusal to issue a license or authorization, section 12C regarding suspension and cancellation of licenses and authorizations, section 12D regarding compliance with other laws, section 12E regarding request for reconsideration of denied license or authorization, section 12F regarding the National Fisheries Register of licenses and authorizations, and section 12G regarding the obligation to inform. Furthermore, this Act adds Part-IIA on the Registration of fishing vessels on the register book established under the Shipping Registration Act 1968. In Part-IIID, this Act adds provisions regarding pollution control with the purpose of preventing or reducing discharge of oil, pollutants, garbage or sewage into the sea. Section 12AA regarding the establishment of International Fisheries Unit is added and lays down provisions on the registration, control and monitoring of all national and foreign fishing vessels in and beyond Nauru waters. Under the new Part-IIA, Part-IIIA, Part-IIIB and Part-IIIC, this Act adds new sections regarding the requirements for registration of fishing vessels in the Register Book; entry and the maintenance of registration in the Register Book; obligations of operators of fishing vessels applying for registration; registration of fishing vessels to the Nauru Record of Fishing Vessels; disclosure of information on the record of Nauru fishing vessels; penalties for the breach of the obligation to inform; fishing by national fishing vessel beyond Nauru waters; application and evaluation procedures for fish permit; terms and conditions for fish permit; validity, cancellation or suspension of fish permit; use of vessels of other flags by Nauruan citizens or Nauruan corporations or companies on the high seas; use of national fishing vessels in the jurisdiction of another State; investigation of and penalties for breaches and non-compliance; access to information held by the Registrar of Foreign Vessels; obligation to provide fisheries data and catch information; charter of fishing vessel by citizens and foreigners and their duties; and the compliance with international conservation and management measures.