Maharashtra Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1981

No: 54 Dated: Sep, 23 1981

MAHARASHTRA MARINE FISHING REGULATION ACT, 1981

ACT No. LIV of 1981

    An Act to provide for the regulation of fishing by fishing vessels in the sea along the coast line of the State of Maharashtra.

    WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the regulation of fishing by fishing vessels in the sea along the coast line of the State of Maharashtra and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto ;

It is hereby enacted in the Thirty-second Year of the Republic of India as follows :—

CHAPTER I

 PRELIMINARY

1. Short title, extent and commencement:- (1) This Act may be called the Maharashtra Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1981.

(2) It extends to the whole of the State of Maharashtra (including the territorial waters).

(3) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

2. Definitions:- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

(a) “Adjudicating Officer” means the Tahsildar having jurisdiction, and includes any other officer of the Revenue Department, not below the rank of Tahsildar, authorised by the State Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, to exercise the powers conferred on, and discharge the duties imposed upon, an Adjudicating Officer by this Act, in such area as may be specified by the notification ;

(b) “Appellate Board” means an Appellate Board constituted under section 18 ;

(c) “Enforcement Officer” means the Assistant Fisheries Development Officer having jurisdiction, and includes any other Officer of the Directorate of Fisheries, not below the rank of Assistant Fisheries Development Officer, authorised by the State Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, to exercise the powers conferred on, and discharge the duties imposed upon, an Enforcement Officer by this Act, in such area as may be specified in the notification ;

(d) “fishing vessel” means a boat or ship, whether or not fitted with mechanical means of propulsion, which is engaged in sea fishing for profit, and includes—

(i) a country craft, and

(ii) a canoe, engaged in sea fishing for profit ;

(e) “Licensing Officer” means the Assistant Fisheries Development Officer having jurisdiction, and includes any other officer of the Directorate of Fisheries, not below the rank of Assistant Fisheries Development Officer, authorised by the State Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, to exercise the powers conferred on, and discharge the duties imposed upon, a Licensing Officer by this Act, in such area as may be specified in the notification ;

(f) “Port” means the space within such limits as may, from time to time, be defined by the State Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, for the purpose of this Act ;

(g) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act ;

(h) “registered fishing vessel” means a fishing vessel registered under section 9 ;

(i) “Registration Officer” means the Officer or servant in the State Port Organisation authorised by the Chief Port Officer for any specified area, and includes any other officer of the State Port Organisation authorised by State Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, to exercise the powers conferred on, and discharge the duties imposed upon, a Registration Officer by this Act, in such area as may be specified in the notification ;

(j) “specified area” means such area in the sea along the entire coast line of the State, but not beyond territorial waters, as may be specified by the State Government, by notification in the Official Gazette ;

(k) “State” means the State of Maharashtra, and includes the territorial waters along the entire coast line of that State.