Fisheries Act (Act No. 6 of 1998).

The main body of this Act is divided into 2 Parts: A Part relative to fisheries administration, management, conservation and regulation of fishing and a Part dealing with enforcement. For the purposes of this Act the Minister shall exercise in relation to fisheries such powers and functions as provided under this Act. In exercising his powers under this Act, the Minister shall have regard to the principles of fisheries management and conservation as laid down in section 4. There is established a Fisheries Advisory Council which shall advise the Minister on such matters relating to the conservation, protection and development of fisheries in Solomon Islands and such other matters as the Minister may from time to time require (sect. 5). Under section 6 there is established a Fisheries Management and Development Fund for the management and development of fisheries in Solomon Islands. Each provincial government shall prepare and keep under review a plan for the management and development of fisheries in its provincial waters other than fisheries of highly migratory species (sect. 7). Subject to the provisions of the Provincial Government Act each Provincial Assembly may make Ordinances not inconsistent with this Act or any regulations made under this Act, for the regulation of fisheries within its provincial waters. Ordinances made under section 10 may provide for any or all of the specified matters (sect. 10). Sections 17 to 23 contain rules relative to fishing and research fishing by foreign vessels. The remaining provisions of Part II deal with licences in general, use of explosives, etc., aquaculture operations, import and export of fish, driftnet fishing, fish processing establishments, and records to be kept by persons person engaged in fishing, fish processing, fish marketing or the export of fish or fish products. (sects. 24 to 35). The text consists of 61 sections divided into 4 Parts and completed by 1 Schedule containing rules relative to the Fisheries Advisory Council.