Part Three Sec 42
42.
Fishery plans
(1) A fishery plan prepared by the Commission for the management and development of fisheries (a) shall be based on the best scientific information available, (b) shall ensure the optimum utilisation of the fishery resources but avoid over exploitation, and (c) shall be consistent with good management principles.
(2) A fishery plan may relate to a specific water area or specified species of fish.
(3) The Commission is to be responsible in collaboration with any State agencies as the Council considers appropriate, for the implementation of each fishery plan.
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Part Three Sec 43
43.
Content of fishery plan
A fishery plan
(a) shall identify the fishery resource and its characteristics, including its economic and social value and interrelationship with other species in the ecosystem;
(b) shall assess the present state of exploitation of each resource and taking into account relevant biological, social, and economic factors, determine the potential average annual yields from the resource;
(c) shall specify the measures to be taken to promote the development of the local fishing enterprises, both industrial and artisanal;
(d) shall determine the amount of the fishery resource to be made available to licensed foreign fishing vessels;
(e) shall specify the conservation measures to be enforced to protect the re sources from over-exploitation;
(f) shall indicate the research necessary to enhance management of the fishery resource;
(g) shall specify the information and any other data required to be given or reported for the effective management and development of fisheries; and
(h) shall take into account relevant artisanal fishing methods or principles.
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Part Three Sec 44
44.
Consultations and approval of fishery plan
(1) The Council shall, during the preparation of each fishery plan, carry out the con-sultations it considers appropriate with organisations, authorities and persons affected by the fishery plan.
(2) In order to assess and recommend appropriate management, development and conservation measures for a fishery plan, the Director may reasonably require a person to furnish relevant data and information, including fishing time and effort, landing, process-ing, sales and related transactions.
(3) A fishery plan or review of the plan shall be submittedto the Minister who shall submit it to the Cabinet for approval, and the plan shall come into force at a time specified in the approval.
(4) The Minister shall publish in the Gazette and the other mass media the effective date of implementation of an approved fishery plan.
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Part Three Sec 45
45.
Consultation on international fisheries management
(1) The Minister may, and shall on the advice of the Council, consult with foreign governments and in particular with governments of states sharing the same or interrelated fish stocks, with a view (a) to ensuring the closest practicable harmonisation or co-operation of their respective fisheries management and development plans and regulations; (b) to ensuring the harmonisation of systems for the collection of statistics, the carrying out of surveys and procedures for assessing the state of the fisheries resource in the region; (c) to establishing on a bilateral, regional or sub-regional level reciprocal fish-ing rights with other states in the region, where the reciprocal fishing rights are necessary to sustain the growth of industrial and artisanal fishing; (d) to providing for the formulation of sub-regional or regional fisheries man-agement and development plans including monitoring, control and surveil-lance, for the allocation of fishing effort and catch for the formation orpromotion of joint fishing, among states sharing the same stocks, and fortaking sub-regional or regional joint conservation measures; (e) to providing for the establishment and operation of joint sub-regional or regional fisheries management plans.
(2) Consultations under subsection (1) may be undertaken directly with the govern-ments or persons concerned, or through existing appropriate regional or sub-regional or-ganisations or international agencies. Local Industrial and Semi-industrial Fishing Vessels
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Part Three Sec 46
46.
Prohibition of use of local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel without licence
(1) A person shall not use a local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel for fishing in the fishery waters except under a licence issued under this Act for the vessel.
(2) A person who acts contrary to subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than (a) U$l,000 in the case of a local industrial fishing vessel, or (b) fifty penalty units in the case of a local semi-industrial fishing vessel, and the vessel or implement used in the commission of the offence shall on conviction be forfeited to the Republic.
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Part Three Sec 47
47.
Qualification as local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel
(1) A local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel is a fishing vessel (a) owned or controlled by a citizen, the Government, or owned or controlled by a company or partnership registered by law in the Republic which has its principal place of business in the Republic and the share of which is beneficially owned wholly by the Government, a citizen, a public corpora-tion established by law in the Republic or a combination of any of them, and (b) in the case of a tuna fishing vessel, where at least fifty percent of the shares in the vessel is beneficially owned or controlled by the persons specified in paragraph (a), and (c) registered in the Republic.
(2) A bare boat chartered by any of the persons specified in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) qualifies as a local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel.
(3) A fishing licence shalI not be issued for a vessel unless (a) in respect of a local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel required to be registered under the Ghana Shipping Act, 2003 (Act 645) the vessel has been so registered; and (b) the Council is satisfied that the vessel is seaworthy and fit for the purpose of fishing and conforms with the requirements that are applicable to the vessel under an enactment in force including requirement on navigation and safety equipment.
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Part Three Sec 48
48.
Application for fishing licence for local industrial and semi-industrial fishing vessels
(1) The provisions in sections 69 to 80 on application for a fishing licence, conditions of licence, transfer of licences and licence fees among others shalI apply to local industrial and semi-industrial fishing vessels unless otherwise provided in this Act.
(2) The Council may delegate in writing to a regional agriculture authority of the Ministry, the Commission's role in the process of licensing local industrial and semi industrial fishing vessels or any other functions under this Act in respect of local industrial and semi-industrial fishing vessels.
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Part Three Sec 49
49.
Markings and identity of local industrial and semi-industrial fishing vessels
(1) The Council shalI, before recommending the licensing of a local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel, ensure that the vessel bears identity markings consisting of letters and numbers allocated to the vessel by the competent authority.
(2) A person shalI not operate a local industrial or semi-industrial vessel which does not bear the identity markings.
(3) A person who contravenes subsection (2) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than (a) $1,000 and not more than $10,000 in the case of a local industrial fishing vessel, or (b) fifty penalty units and not more than five hundred penalty units in the case of a local semi-industrial fishing vessel, and in addition the catch and the fishing gear used in the commission of the offence may be forfeited to the Republic.
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Part Three Sec 50
50.
Employment of citizens
(1) The owner of a local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel licensed under this Act shalI employ a master, officers and crew of which not less than seventy-five percent are citizens.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable onsummary conviction to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not exceeding $2 million. Artisanal Fishing, Aquaculture and Recreational Fishing
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Part Three Sec 51
51.
Development of artisanal fishing
(1) The Commission shall, in the performance of itsfunctions under this Act, take the action that it considers necessary to protect and promote artisanal and semi-industrial fishing including (a) the provision of extension and training services; (b) the registration of artisanal fishing vessels and any class of related fishing gear; (c) the exemption for the period that the Council may recommend to the Min-ister of the fisheries activities that the Council may determine from a re-quirement concerning licensing and the payment of fees under this Act; (d) the promotion of the establishment and development of fishing, processing and marketing co-operative societies; (e) the promotion of the development of artisanal fishing landing facilities; (f) the establishment of reserved areas for fishing activities of artisanal and semi-industrial fishing vessels; (g) the giving of priority to artisanal and semi-industrial fishing in the allocation of fishing licences or quotas; and (h) the promotion of joint venture arrangements, technology transfer agreements and transfer of technology and experience.
(2) The Commission shall not in an action taken under subsection (1) establish concessionary areas within the inshore exclusive zone for activities not permitted under this Act.
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Part Three Sec 52
52.
Licence for canoes and qualification for licence
(1) A person shall not use a canoe for fishing in the fishery waters unless a licence has been issued for the canoe for the purpose of fishing.
(2) A fishing licence shall not be issued for a canoe unless the canoe (a) is owned by a citizen, a company or a partnership registered in the Republic under the relevant law in which the shares are beneficially held by a citizen, (b) has been registered with the Commission through the District Assembly of the area where it is to be used, and (c) bears the markings of identity allocated to it by the Commission.
(3) A person who acts contrary to a provision in subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than twenty-five penalty units and not exceeding five hundred penalty units and the canoe or gear used in the commission of the offence shall on conviction be forfeited to the Republic.
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Part Three Sec 53
53.
Application and fishing licence for artisanal fishing vessel
(1) A person seeking to use a canoe for fishing shall apply to the Commission in the form determined by the Council.
(2) The Council may direct that an application shall be routed through the District Assembly of the locality where the applicant intends to operate the canoe.
(3) The application shall be submitted with the information determined by the Council.
(4) An artisanal fishing licence shall be granted without delay.
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Part Three Sec 54
54.
Artisanal fishing licence and renewal
(1) A licence for artisanal fishing shall (a) specify the period of validity of the licence, (b) indicate the activity for which the licence is issued, and (c) state the markings and identity of the artisanal vessel.
(2) An artisanal fishing licence may on application to the Commission be renewed.
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Part Three Sec 55
55.
Registration, markings and identity of artisanal fishing vessel
(1) An artisanal fishing vessel shall be registered by the District Assembly of the area where the vessel is to be operated.
(2) A District Assembly registering an artisanal vessel shall allocate to the vessel the letters and numbers of identification determined by the District Assembly.
(3) A person shall not fish with an artisanal vessel which does not bear the identifica-tion assigned to the vessel.
(4) A person who contravenes subsection (3) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than twenty-five penalty units and not exceeding two hundred and fifty penalty units andin addition, the catch, fishing gear or any other apparatus used in the commission of the offence may on conviction be forfeited to the Republic.
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Part Three Sec 56
56.
Fee for artisanal fishing licence
(1) There shall be paid for the issue and renewal of artisanal fishing licence the fee determined by the Council.
(2) Licence fee for artisanal fishing licence shall be paid in cedis.
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Part Three Sec 57
57.
Transfer of artisanal fishing licence
(1) A licence issued for a canoe, may be transferred to another person, (a) if the canoe to which the licence is transferred is of equal dimensions and characteristics and is to be operated in the same locality as the canoe previously licensed, and (b) in the case of change of ownership, if the new owner and the previous owner both notify the Director of Fisheries of the transfer of ownership in writing.
(2) The Director of Fisheries or a person acting on the Director's authority shall en-dorse the licence to effect the transfer of the licence where the conditions specified in subsection (1) are satisfied.
(3) A person who contravenes a provision of subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than twenty-five penalty units and not exceeding five hundred penalty units.
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Part Three Sec 58
58.
Cancellation and suspension of artisanal fishing licence
Where a canoe licensed under section 52 is used in the commission of an act prohib-ited under this Act or in breach of a condition of the licence, the Council may, on the conviction of the licensee, recommend to the Minister to
(a) cancel or vary the licence,
(b) suspend the licence for a specified period,
(c) disqualify the licensee from being granted a fishing licence, or
(d) permit continued holding of the licence subject to further conditions recommended by the Council.
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Part Three Sec 59
59.
Further regulations of artisanal fishing
The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Council, make further provisions that the Minister considers necessary for regulating artisanal fishing.
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Part Three Sec 60
60.
Licence for aquaculture and recreational fishing
(1) An application for a licence for an aquaculture project or recreational fishing shall be made to the Commission and shall be accompanied with an environmental impact assessment.
(2) The application shall be in the form determined by the Council and shall be accompanied with the fee determined by the Council.
(3) The provisions on evaluation of applications in section 70 shall apply to the pro-cessing of an application for aquaculture with the modifications that are necessary.
(4) A licence for aquaculture shall specify the aquatic organism to be farmed.
(5) A licensed aquaculture operator shall carry out the operations in conformity with the prescribed standards relating to aquatic environmental protection, quality of produce and hygienic methods.
(6) A licence for aquaculture is not transferable except with the authorisation of the Minister given on the recommendation of the Council.
(7) The Minister may, on the advice of the Council, by legislative instrument make further provisions the Minister considers necessary for the operation of aquaculture.
(8) Recreational fishing shall be carried on in accordance with the requirements pre-scribed by the Regulations. Foreign Fishing Vessels
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Part Three Sec 61
61.
Fishing by foreign fishing vessels
(1) A foreign fishing vessel shall not fish or attempt to fish within the fishery waters of the Republic except (a) under a licence issued under this Act, or (b) as may be otherwise authorised under an agreement between the Government and the government of the country in which the fishing vessel is registered or otherwise belongs.
(2) A foreign fishing vessel shall not enter the fishery waters of the Republic unless (a) authorised to do so by the terms of a licence or permit issued to it under this Act or under an applicable access agreement in force, or (b) it is under circumstances recognised by international law.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a foreign fishing vessel entering the fishery waters for the sole purpose of innocent passage, or by reason of force majeure or distress or for the purpose of rendering assistance to persons, ships or aircraft in danger or distress or for any other purpose recognised by international law.
(4) A foreign fishing vessel entering the fishery waters for any of the reasons specified in subsection (3) shall (a) observe the Regulations including Regulations on storage of fishing gear, (b) not fish, attempt to fish, load, unload or transship a fish, and (c) return to outside the fishery waters as soon as the purpose for which it entered has been fulfilled or the reason has ceased to be valid.
(5) The provisions on licensing in sections 69 to 80 apply to foreign fishing vessels.
(6) Where a foreign fishing vessel is used in contravention of subsection (1), (2) or (4), the owner, master and charterer of the vessel individually commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than $250,000 and not more than $2 million and in addition, the catch, fishing gear or any other apparatus or a combination of them used in the commission of the offence shall be forfeited to the Republic.
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Part Three Sec 62
62.
Activities of crew and other persons on board a foreign fishing vessel
(1) A person, who is on board a foreign fishing vessel or who is a member of the crew of or attached to or employed on a foreign fishing vessel, shall not in the Republic or in the fishery waters engage in fishing or related activities except in accordance with this Act and the Regulations.
(2) The owner, operator and each member of the crew of a foreign fishing vessel in the fishery waters shall comply with the applicable access arrangement and applicable laws of Ghana, including this Act.
(3) Fishing gear on board a foreign fishing vessel in a place in the fishing waters whereit is not permitted to fish shall be stowed in the prescribed manner or in a manner that it isnot readily available for use for fishing.
(4) A foreign fishing vessel in a place in the fishery waters shall be operated in a waythat the activities of local and artisanal fishermen and fishing vessels are not disrupted orin any other way adversely affected.
(5) Where a foreign fishing vessel is used in contravention of subsection (1) or (2), the owner, master and charterer of that vessel individually commits an offence, and is liableon summary conviction to a fine of not less than $250,000 and not exceeding $2 millionand in addition, the catch, fishing gear or any other apparatus or a combination of them used in the commission of the offence may be forfeited and the fishing licence may besuspended or cancelled.
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Part Three Sec 63
63.
Licence for foreign fishing vessels
(1) A licence shall not be issued under this Act which authorises a foreign fishing vessel to engage in fishing in the fishery waters except under an access arrangement made under this Act.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a licence issued in the absence of an applicable access arrangement in respect of (a) marine scientific research, or (b) trial fishing operations.
(3) Despite the provisions of subsections (1) and (2), the Minister on the recommen-dation of the Council may issue a licence to a foreign fishing vessel authorising that vessel to be used in the fishery waters for the fishing or related activities specified in the licence, or for any other purposes in accordance with this Act.
(4) The Minister shall not issue a licence to a foreign fishing vessel unless it is satisfied that the vessel (a) is registered in accordance with the law of its flag State, and (b) a certificate of seaworthiness is issued for the vessel by the competent authority or by the International Association of Classification Societies.
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Part Three Sec 64
64.
Access arrangement
(1) The Minister may, on the advice of the Council, enter into an international access arrangement on behalf of the Government with a foreign government, foreign association or any other legally constituted foreign body which has power and authority to enforce compliance with the terms of the access arrangement.
(2) An access arrangement shall provide for the allowable allocation of fish which shall not exceed a level consistent with the conservation and management of fishery re-sources, provide for the protection of local fishermen and shall also be consistent with the fishery plan.
(3) An access arrangement shall include the provisions required to implement mini-mum terms and conditions of fisheries access in accordance with this Act, including (a) establishing the responsibility of the foreign party to take measures to ensure compliance by its vessels with the terms and conditions of the access arrangement and with the applicable laws, including those relating to fishing and related activities in the fishery waters, (b) the issuance of licences and payment of fees for fishing related activities or any other activities or operations described in this Act, (c) provisions that the owner, charterer, operator, master or any other person responsible for the operation of a licensed vessel shall not tranship fish at sea except only at designated times and places and in accordance with this Act, and (d) any other matters as may be required for effective implementation of the access arrangement in accordance with this Act.
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Part Three Sec 65
65.
Authorisations for marine scientific research and trial fishing
(1) Where there is no applicable access arrangement, the Minister on the advice of the Council may authorise marine scientific research or trialfishing operations in the fishery waters on completion of procedures required under this Act.
(2) An authorisation under subsection (1) shall have attached to it the conditions de-termined by the Minister.
(3) An authorisation granted under this section shall be in writing and be in the form determined by the Minister.
(4) A person authorised in accordance with this section shall comply with the applicable laws of Ghana and the conditions of the authorisation.
(5) The Minister may refuse to issue, suspend or cancel the authorisation in accordance with this Act if there is a failure to comply with the requirements of this Act or the conditions of the authorisation.
(6) A person who undertakes marine scientific research or trial fishing operations withoutauthorisation commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than (a) $10,000 and not more than $1 million in the case of a foreign fishing vessel or a local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel, or (b) one hundred penalty units and not more than five hundred penalty units in any other case.
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Part Three Sec 66
66.
Chartered foreign fishing vessel
(1) A citizen or a qualified company who or that has entered into a charter agreement for the use of a foreign fishing vessel shall submit acopy of the charter agreement to the Commission for designation as an approved charter agreement.
(2) The conditions for the approval of a charter agreement shall be prescribed by the Regulations.
(3) A foreign fishing vessel fishing under an approved charter agreement is subject to the requirements of this Act in respect of foreign fishing vessels, including licensing and compliance requirements as well as penalties.
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Part Three Sec 67
67.
Appointment of agents
The Minister may require that, prior to the issue of a fishing licence to a foreign fishing vessel in which there is no Ghanaian ownership or shareholding, the applicant appoints an agent within the Republic, who is a citizen or a non-citizen who has resided continuously within the Republic for a period of at least five years immediately prior to the proposed appointment, with no record of conviction, and that person shall be authorised to receive and respond to legal process issued in the Republic with respect to the activities of the vessel, its owner, operator, master and crew members.
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Part Three Sec 68
68.
Posting of bonds
(1) The Minister may require that, prior to the issue of a fishing licence to a foreign fishing vessel, the applicant or its authorised agent posts a performance bond which may be applied for the payment of a fine, penalty or any other determination for an offence under this Act committed by or in respect of that vessel or for a liability in relation to the vessel arising under this Act.
(2) The Minister may further require that the posting of a performance bond during the period of validity of the licence shall be a condition for the licence. Fishing Licences for Industrial and Semi-industrial Vessels
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Part Three Sec 69
69.
Application for a fishing licence
(1) Subject to an authorisation given under an access agreement made under this Act in relation to foreign fishing vessels, and except as otherwise provided under this Act, an application for a fishing licence in respect of local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel or a foreign fishing vessel shall be made to the Commission.
(2) The application shall be in the prescribed form and shall be submitted with, as de-termined by the Commission (a) the relevant documents, and (b) the application fee.
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Part Three Sec 70
70.
Recommendations to the Minister
(1) The Director shall on an application being submitted to the Commission refer theapplication, where applicable, to a fishery licence evaluation committee established undersection 11.
(2) Where an application is referred to a fishery licence evaluation committee, the committee shall evaluate the application and may request the applicant to provide further particulars the committee considers necessary for the purpose of evaluating the application and shall, unless delay occurs because of the request for further particulars, submit its evaluation to the Commission within fourteen days of the reference by the Director.
(3) The Commission shall, within fourteen days of receipt of an evaluation of an ap-plication, submit its recommendations to the Minister for the granting or otherwise, of the licence the subject of the application.
(4) The Minister shall on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission issue the licence.
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Part Three Sec 71
71.
Licence fees
(1) The fee for a fishing licence shall be determined by the Council in consultation with the Minister.
(2) Licence fees for foreign fishing vessels shall be paid in American dollars.
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Part Three Sec 72
72.
Other conditions of fishing licence
Regulations may prescribe further conditions for the granting of a fishing licence.
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Part Three Sec 73
73.
Renewal of fishing licence
A fishing licence issued under section 70 (4) may on an application to the Commission be renewed subject to the conditions determined by the Commission.
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Part Three Sec 74
74.
Period of validity of licences
(1) Subject. to this section, a fishing licence issued or renewed under this Act is valid, unless earlier cancelled or suspended in accordance with this Act or the Regulations, for a period not exceeding one year, or a lesser period specified inthe licence, and shall not in the case of a charter or access agreement, extend beyond the period of validity of the ap-plicable charter agreement or access arrangement.
(2) Fishing licences shall be issued or renewed annually or quarterly or within the period recommended by the Commission, and shall expire, (a) in respect of an annual licence, on 31st December in the year in which it is issued, or (b) in respect of a quarterly licence, on 31st March, 30th June, 30th September or 31st December in the year in which it is issued.
(3) A licence issued or renewed is only valid for the species of fish and the type of fishing gear or method of fishing, or any other activity in accordance with this Act speci-fied in the licence.
(4) Where a vessel, licensed as a local industrial fishing vessel, becomes a foreign fishing vessel the licence shall automatically terminate.
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Part Three Sec 75
75.
Transfer of fishing licences
(1) A fishing licence issued under this Act shall not be transferred unless (a) the Director has been notified in writing of the transfer prior to the transfer by both the transferor and the transferee, (b) the Council approves the transfer on the conditions determined by it, (c) the written permission of the Minister for the transfer is endorsed on the licence, and (d) in the case of a local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel the transferee qualifies to hold a local fishing licence as provided under section 47.
(2) Without limiting the scope of subsection (1), the Minister may in order to give effect to a scheme for the restriction of effort in respect of a fish under a fishery management and development plan approved under this Act, in writing, do any or all of the following: (a) direct that a licence to engage in that fishery activity may not be transferable from one vessel to another vessel, or that the surrender of licences may not give rise to certain rights to new licences, and (b) set any other conditions under which permission may be given in respect of transfer of licences.
(3) A person, being the previous owner or new owner of a licensed fishing vessel licensed under this Act who does not notify the Director in writing as provided under sub-section (1) (a) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than (a) $5,000 and not more that $10,000 in the case of a vessel of less than 50 gross registered tonns, (b) $25,000 and not more than $100,000 in the case of a vessel of 50 GRT but less than 100 gross registered tonns, (c) $150,000 and not more than $500,000 in the case of a vessel of 100 GRT but less than 250 gross registered tonns, or (d) $1 million in the case of a fishing vessel of 250 gross registered tonns, or above.
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Part Three Sec 76
76.
Refusal, suspension, modification and cancellation of licences
(1) The Council shall not recommend the issue or renewal of a fishing licence for a local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel or a foreign fishing vessel unless it is satisfied that (a) the application is in accordance with the requirements of this Act and the Regulations, (b) the required fee has been paid in accordance with this Act and the applicable access arrangement, and (c) there has not been a failure to satisfy a judgment or any other determination for a contravention of this Act or an access arrangement where applicable by the operator of the vessel in respect of which the application for the licence is made.
(2) The Council may refuse to recommend the issue or renewal of a fishing licence, or may recommend the suspension or cancellation of a fishing licence or authorisation where it is satisfied that (a) information required to be given or reported under this Act and the applic-able access arrangement is false, incomplete, incorrect or misleading; (b) it is necessary to do so in order to give effect to a licensing programme specified in an approved fisheries plan; (c) the owner or charterer of the vessel is the subject of proceedings under the bankruptcy laws of a jurisdiction or on reasonable grounds appears unable to meet the financial obligations which could arise from fishing activities, and has not provided financial assurances required by the Commission; (d) the vessel in respect of which the licence was issued has been used in contravention of this Act or in breach of a regulation or direction made or given under this Act or a condition of the licence or, in the case of a foreign fishing vessel, in breach of an applicable access arrangement; (e) the fishing vessel does not meet the safety standards required under an enactment for the purpose for the time being in force; (f) the fishing vessel does not bear the prescribed markings; (g) the gear to be used on the fishing vessel does not meet the requirements of the prescribed mesh sizes; (h) the fishing vessel is manned by a crew that is not qualified under an existing enactment for the purpose; (i) the vessel is not seaworthy; (j) the fishing vessel is not covered by a valid policy of insurance which covers injury to third parties; (k) the owner, operator or master of the fishing vessel has failed to submit the catch returns or landing reports or to maintain logbooks as required under this Act or the Regulations; (f) the owner, operator or master of the fishing vessel engages in an activity prejudicial to the fishing industry; (m) the applicant or operator of the vessel for which a licence is sought has a documented history of non-compliance with fisheries laws or regulations and is believed unlikely to comply with those laws, or regulations if a licence is issued; or (n) the vessel for which the licence is sought is not equipped with a working transponder for satellite monitoring where applicable.
(3) The Minister may, on the recommendations of the Council, impose additional conditions or modify the terms of a fishing licence on the grounds as specified by the Council after giving notice as provided in subsection (4) to the licensee.
(4) Where a licence is suspended or cancelled, notification of the cancellation or suspension shall be given to the person to whom the licence was issued within a period of at least seven days before the effective date of the suspension or cancellation.
(5) A notification given under subsection (4) shall be in writing, but in the case of a foreign fishing vessel, the notification may be in writing or by telex, radio, facsimile or any other form the Director considers appropriate.
(6) Where a fishing licence is suspended or cancelled on the grounds specified in subsection (2) (b), a proportion of the fees paid for the fishing licence representing theunexpired period of that licence or the period of suspension, shall be reimbursed to thelicensee at the request of the licensee.
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Part Three Sec 77
77.
Observation of other laws
A fishing licence or any other authorisation issued under this Act shall not relieve a licensee, or the master or crew of a fishing vessel of an obligation or a requirement im-posed by law concerning navigation, health, customs, immigrationor any other matter.
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Part Three Sec 78
78.
Establishment of Fisheries Appeals Board and appeals
(1) There is established by this Act a Fisheries Appeals Board consisting of (a) one representative of the Attorney-General's Department not below the rank of a Chief State Attorney who shall be the chairperson, (b) one person appointed by the Minister, and (c) one representative of the fishing industry who is not an interested party in the subject matter of the appeal.
(2) A person affected or aggrieved by a decision of the Minister to (a) refuse to issue or renew a licence under this Act, or (b) modify, cancel or suspend a licence, may, within fourteen days of receipt of notification of that decision appeal first to the Fisheries Appeals Board for redress.
(3) The Fisheries Appeals Board may confirm, reverse or vary the decision appealed against.
(4) A person dissatisfied with the decision of the Appeals Board may seek the redress that person considers appropriate from the Court of Appeal.
(5) The Fisheries Appeals Board shall regulate its proceedings and shall in its delib-erations be guided by fairness and the rules of natural justice.
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Part Three Sec 79
79.
Register of licences
The Commission shall maintain a register of licences issued under this Act, containing information relating to
(a) the vessel, person or project licensed,
(b) the nature of the activity licensed,
(c) the period of validity of each licence, and
(d) the additional information relating to the licences determined by the Council.
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Part Three Sec 80
80.
Other authorisation and permits
The provisions on fishing licence under sections 69 to 79 shall, unless otherwise pro-vided in this Act or the Regulations, apply to any other authorisation or permit required under this Act with the modifications and adaptations that are necessary. Fishing Zones, Gear, Methods and Manning of Motor Fishing Vessels
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Part Three Sec 81
81.
Establishment of zones and prohibition of fishing inside zones
(1) The water area specified in the Schedule is hereby declared as the inshore exclusive zone.
(2) The zone shall be used exclusively by small semi-industrial vessels, canoes and recreational fishing vessels.
(3) A person shall not use a large semi-industrial vessel or industrial fishing vessel for fishing inside the zone.
(4) A person shall not use a canoe support vessel to fish in the zone.
(5) A towing gear shall not be used in a thirty-metre zone or the depth prescribed by the Regulations.
(6) Despite a provision of this section, the Council may, at the periods that it considers appropriate, permit large semi-industrial vessels to enter the zone for the capture of cephalopods.
(7) The Director may, on written guidelines by the Council, exempt in writing a re search or any other fishing vessel from subsection (4) or (5).
(8) A person who contravenes subsection (3), (4) or (5) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than (a) $100,000 and not more than $500,000 in respect of a foreign fishing vessel, (b) $10,000 and not more than $100,000 in respect of a local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel, or (c) one hundred penalty units and not more than five hundred penalty units in any other case.
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Part Three Sec 82
82.
Destruction of fishing gear of artisanal fishermen in inshore exclusive zone
(1) A person aboard a motor fishing vessel shall not destroy or damage an appropriately marked fishing gear of an artisanal fisherman inside the zone.
(2) The Regulations may provide for the relevant and appropriate marking of artisanal vessels and gear.
(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $100,000 and in addition, the master, owner and charterer, of the vessel in respect of which the offence was committed are jointly and severally responsible for providing to the aggrieved artisanal fishermen (a) full compensation for the destroyed gear either in kind or in cash, and (b) adequate compensation for lost fishing time.
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Part Three Sec 83
83.
Manning of motor fishing vessels
(1) A motor fishing vessel of, or exceeding, twenty-four metres shall not proceed to sea or call at a port in the Republic unless it has on board, (a) a skipper who is the holder of a First Class Fishing Certificate of Competency (Unlimited), issued by the competent authority, (b) a mate or second hand who is the holder of a Second Hand Certificate of Competency (Unlimited), issued by the competent authority, except that a skipper who is the holder of a First Class Fishing Certificate of Competency (limited to vessels between twelve metres and twenty-four metres), operating in unlimited waters may serve in this capacity, (c) an engineer who is the holder of a First Class Engineer's Certificate of Competency (Fishing), issued by a competent authority, (d) an engineer who is the holder of a Second Class Engineer's Certificate of Competency (Fishing), issued by a competent authority, (e) a person who is a holder of an Able-bodied Seaman's Certificate of Competency issued by the competent authority, (f) in the case of a vessel equipped with marine radio telephone, a radio operator with the requisite certificate of competency issued by the competent authority, and (g) in the case of a vessel equipped with marine telegraphy, a radio operator with the requisite Certificate of Competency issued by the competent authority.
(2) A motor vessel of twelve metres length or more but less than twenty-four metres shall not proceed to sea from a port in the Republic unless it is provided with (a) a skipper who is the holder of a First Class Fishing Certificate of Competency (limited to vessels between twelve metres and twenty-four metres),issued by a competent authority, (b) a mate or second hand who is the holder of a Second Hand Certificate of Competency (limited to vessels between twelve metres and twenty-four metres), issued by the competent authority except that a skipper who is the holder of a First Class Fishing Certificate of Competency (limited to vessels of length less than twelve metres), operating in limited or unlimited waters may serve in that capacity, (c) a person who is a holder of an Able-bodied Seaman's Certificate of Competency issued by the competent authority, an (d) a marine motor mechanic who is the holder of a Certificate of Competency issued by the competent authority.
(3) A motor fishing vessel of less than twelve metres shall not proceed to sea from a port in the Republic unless it is provided with (a) a skipper who is the holder of a First Class Fishing Certificate of Competency (limited to vessels of length less than twelve metres), issued by the competent authority, (b) a person who is the holder of an Able-bodied Seaman's Certificate of Competency, issued by the competent authority, and (c) a marine motor mechanic who is the holder of a Certificate of Competency issued by the competent authority.
(4) Except in case of emergency at sea a person shall not (a) claim to be a skipper, second hand, radio officer, radio operator, person or engineer of a semi-industrial or industrial vessel withoutfirst ascertaining that that person has been duly certified in accordance with this section; (b) employ any other person as a skipper, second hand, radio officer, radio operator, person or engineer of a semi-industrial or industrial vessel without first ascertaining that that other person has been duly certificated in accordance with this section.
(5) For the purposes of this section, a person is duly certificated as a skipper, second hand, radio officer, radio operator, person or engineer of a semi-industrial or industrial vessel if that person holds for the time being a certificate of competency granted by the competent authority.
(6) Where the skipper or engineer of a semi-industrial or industrial vessel is absent, the competent authority may on application by the owner of the vessel and on being satisfied that the' absence of the skipper or engineer is unavoidable, authorise the holder of a lower grade fishing vessel certificate to act for a specified period, not exceeding four months, as the skipper or engineer of the vessel during the period that the skipper or engineer is absent, and the holder of the lower grade certificate of competency so authorised to act shall, for the purposes of subsection (5) be regarded as the duly certified skipper or engineer.
(7) A competent authority designated in writing by the Council shall keep a record of every certificate of competency issued and of the suspension, alteration or cancellation or any other matter affecting that certificate.
(8) The owner, operator or master of a vessel used in contravention of subsection (1), (2) or (3) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than $10,000 and not more than $500,000 in respect of a local industrial or semi industrial fishing vessel or a foreign fishing vessel.
(9) A person who contravenes subsection (4) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years or to both the fine and the imprisonment. Fishing Activities
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Part Three Sec 84
84.
Closed seasons
(1) The Commission may by notice in the Gazette declare closed seasons, including their duration, for fishing in specified areas of the coastal waters or the reverie system.
(2) A declaration made under subsection (1) shall be given reasonable publicity and, where possible, shall be given in advance of the closed season.
(3) A closed season declared by an international body of which Ghana is a member shall be regarded as a closed season declared under this Act
(4) A person who engages in fishing during a closed season declared in accordance with this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than (a) $500,000 and not more than $2 million in respect of a local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel or a foreign fishing vessel, or (b) one hundred penalty units and not more than five hundred penalty units in any othercase, and in addition, the catch, fishing gear or vessel or any other apparatus or any combination of them used in the commission of the offence may be forfeited to the Republic.
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Part Three Sec 85
85.
Net for fishing
The Minister, acting in accordancewith the advice of the Council, shall by regulations prescribe the types and sizes of gear or devices that may be used for fishing including prohibited nets and the relevant fishing activities.
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Part Three Sec 86
86.
Submerged stationary fishing gear
(1) Any submerged stationary fishing gear or surface drifting gear shall bear con-spicuous surface marks using brightly colored buoys, flags or floating poles and night lighted markers all of which must be visible in clear weather at a distance of at least one nautical mile; but in the case of nets, the markers shall be placed at intervals of twenty-five metres along the full length of the net.
(2) A person who Contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a tune of (a) not more than two hundred and fifty penalty units in respect of an artisanal fishing activity, or (b) not less than $1,000 and not more than $10,000 in respect of any other fishing vessel.
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Part Three Sec 87
87.
Driftnet fishing activities
(1) A fishing vessel whether registered in the Republic or outside the Republic shall not be used for or assist in any driftnet fishing activities in the fishery waters.
(2) A person shall not engage or assist in a driftnet fishing activity.
(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than (a) twenty-five penalty units and not more than five hundred penalty units in respect of an artisanal fishing activity, or (b) $250,000 and not more than $2 million in respect of any other fishing vessel, and in addition, the catch, fishing gear or any other apparatus or any combination of them used in the commission of the offence may be forfeited to the Republic.
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Part Three Sec 88
88.
Prohibited fishing methods
(1) A person shall not (a) permit to be used, use or attempt to use an explosive, a poison or any other noxious substance for the purpose of killing, stunning, disabling or catching fish, or in any way rendering fish more easily caught, or (b) carry on board or possess or control without lawful authority at a place within a two kilometre radius from a shore or river, an explosive, a poison or any other noxious substance in circumstances indicating an intention of using that substance for any of the purposes referred to in paragraph (a).
(2) An explosive, a poison or any other noxious substance found on board a fishing vessel shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, to be intended for the purposes referred to in subsection (1) (a).
(3) A person who lands, sells, receives or possesses fish taken by a means which con-travenes subsection (1) (a) and who knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the fish has been so taken, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than (a) $250,000 and not more than $2 million in respect of a local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel or a foreign fishing vessel, or (b) twenty-five penalty units and not more than five hundred penalty units in any other case, and in addition, the catch, fishing gear or any other apparatus or any combination of them used in the commission of the offence shall be forfeited to the Republic.
(4) In proceedings for an offence under this section, a certificate as to the cause and manner of death or injury of a fish, signed by an authorised person or observer is, until the contrary is proved, sufficient evidence as to the matters stated in the certificate.
(5) In proceedings for an offence under this section, the defendant shall be given not less than fourteen days' notice in writing of the prosecution's intention to produce a cer-tificate under subsection (4). Conservation Measures
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Part Three Sec 89
89.
Protection of gravid and juvenile lobsters, other crustacean and other juvenile fish
(1) A person shall not during fishing knowingly take any (a) gravid lobsters, (b) crustacean, or (c) juvenile fish.
(2) Where a fish mentioned in subsection (1) is caught accidentally or as a by-catch it shall immediately be returned to the sea, river or lake.
(3) A person who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of (a) not less than $50,000 and not more than $1 million in respect of a local industrial or semi-industrial fishing vessel or a foreign fishing vessel, or (b) not more than two hundred and fifty penalty units in any other case, and in addition, the catch, fishing gear or any other apparatus or any combination of them used in the commission of the offence may be forfeited to the Republic.
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Part Three Sec 90
90.
Fishing for marine mammals
(1) Subject to subsection (3), a person shall not fish for marine mammals in the fishery waters.
(2) A marine mammal caught accidentally shall be released immediately and returned to the waters from which it was taken with the least possible injury.
(3) The Director with the approval of the Council may give a written authorisation to fish for marine mammals in a limited manner.
(4) A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than (a) $50,000 and not more than $1 million in respect of a local industrial or semi-industrial vessel or a foreign fishing vessel, or (b) five hundred penalty units in any other case.
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Part Three Sec 91
91.
Marine reserves
(1) The Minister may on the advice of the Commission and, after consultation with the Minister responsible for the Environment, owners of the adjoining land and the relevant District Assembly, declare an area of the fishery watersand the seabed underlying the waters to be a marine reserve.
(2) A person who, except with the written permission of the Minister, within a marine reserve (a) engages in fishing, (b) dredges or takes sand or gravel, or (c) otherwise disturbs the natural habitat, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than $50,000 and not more than $2 million in respect of a local industrial or semi industrial fishing vessel or a foreign fishing vessel and not more than five hundred penalty units in any other case
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Part Three Sec 92
92.
Pollution of fishery waters
A person who directly or indirectly introduces a deleterious substance into the fishery waters which adversely affects the habitat or health of the fish or any other living aquatic resource commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than
(a) $50,000 and not more than $2 million where a local industrial or semi industrial vessel or a foreign fishing vessel is used in the commission of the offence, or
(b) fifty penalty units and not more than five hundred penalty units in any other case, and that person may be ordered by the Court to pay an additional amount that the Court may determine in compensation for a loss suffered as a result of the introduction of the deleterious substance and the related clean-up costs.
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Part Three Sec 93
93.
Fisheries impact assessments
(1) A person or government department or any other agency planning to conduct an activity other than fishing, which is likely to have a substantial impact on the fishery re-sources or any other aquatic resources of the Republic, shall inform the Commission of the plans prior to the commencement of the planned activity with a view to the conservation and protection of the resources.
(2) The Commission may make or require reports and recommendations by those conducting the planned activity regarding the likely impact of the activity on the fishery resources or other aquatic resources of the Republic and possible meansof preventing or minimizing adverse impacts, which shall be taken into account by the person, government department or other agency in the planning of the activity and in the development of means of preventing or minimizing any adverse impacts.
(3) The requirement under this section is in addition to any other requirement of the Environmental Protection Agency. . Monitoring, Control, Surveillance and Enforcement
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Part Three Sec 94
94.
The monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement unit
(1) There is established by this Act a fisheries monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement unit.
(2) The enforcement unit is responsible for (a) monitoring, control and surveillance of the fishing operations within the fishery waters by whatever appropriate means including, the management and running of a satellite base station for using satellite communications for data transmission relating to the activities of foreign fishing vessels licensed to operate within the zone, and (b) the enforcement of this Act, the Regulations and any other enactment relat-ing to the regulation of fishing activities.
(3) The enforcement unit shall include personnel from the Ghana Navy, Ghana Air Force and the secretariat of the Commission as determined by the Minister in consultation with the Minister responsible for Defence.
(4) The Minister may request personnel from other departments, agencies of State or any other competent bodies or organisations to assist the enforcement unit in the performance of its functions.
(5) There shall be assigned to the enforcement unit an attorney from the Ministry of Justice.
(6) The Minister shall, in consultation with the Minister responsible for Defence, ap-point the head of the enforcement unit.
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Part Three Sec 95
95.
Authorised officers
(1) The Minister may, in writing, appoint a public officer as an authorised officer for the purposes of this Act who shall perform functions provided by or under this Act.
(2) Without limiting the scope of subsection (1), the following are authorised officers for the purposes of this Act, the Regulations and any other enactment relating to the regu-lation of fisheries: (a) personnel of the enforcement unit, (b) personnel of the Ghana Navy, (c) the air crew and personnel of the Ghana Air Force deployed for fishery duties, (d) officers of the Water Research Institute, and (e) fishery officers of the secretariat of the Commission.
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Part Three Sec 96
96.
Police and other powers of authorised officers
(1) For the purposes of enforcing this Act, an authorised officer shall have the same powers of arrest as a police officer.
(2) Without limiting the scope of subsection (1), an authorised officer may (a) stop, board, remain on board and search a vessel in the fishery waters which the officer reasonably believes is a fishing vessel, (b) stop, board, remain on board and search a vessel registered in the Republic found outside the fishery waters, (c) stop and search a vessel, vehicle or an aircraft the officer reasonably believes may be transporting fish or engaged in any other activities relating to fishing, (d) require the master or a crew member or any other person aboard a vessel to inform the officer of the name, call sign and country of registration of the vessel and the name of the master, owner, charterer or any other crew member, (e) question the master or a crew member or any other person aboard about the cargo, contents of holds and storage spaces, voyage and activities of the vessel, (f) make the examination and inquiry that appear necessary to the officer con-cerning a vessel, vehicle or an aircraft in relation to which any of the powers conferred by this subsection have been or may be exercised and take samples of a fish or fish product found in the vessel, vehicle or aircraft, (g) require to be produced and examined and take copies of a licence, logbook, record or any other document required under this Act or concerning the op-eration of the vessel, vehicle or aircraft, (h) make an entry dated and signed by the officer in the logbook of the vessel or aircraft, (i) require to be produced and examined a fish, fishing gear or an appliance or explosive, a poison or any other noxious substance, (j) examine and test, where relevant, a satellite tracking device or transponder required to be installed in the vessel by this Act or the Regulations, (k) give to the master and a crew member of the vessel, vehicle or aircraft, stopped, boarded or searched, the directions that are necessary or reasonably expedient for any purpose specified in this Act or to ensure compliance by the vessel, vehicle or aircraft, or master or a crew member of the conditions of a licence or authorisation, (l) examine and endorse a licence or an authorisation, or (m) arrest a person who assaults the officer in the performance of a function under this Act.
(3) Where an authorised officer has reasonable grounds to believe that an offence under this Act is being or has been committed, the officer may, without a warrant (a) enter, inspect and search the premises, other than premises used exclusively as a dwelling-house, in which the officer has reasonable grounds to believe an offence has been or is being committed or fish taken illegally is being stored; (b) stop, enter and search and stay in or on a vehicle or an aircraft which the officer reasonably suspects of transporting fish or fish products; (c) within the fishery waters, follow in hot pursuit in accordance with interna-tional law and stop, board and search outside the fishery waters a foreign vessel which the officer has reasonable grounds to believe has been used in the commission of the offence and bring the vessel and persons on board within the fishery waters; (d) take samples of fish found in a vessel, vehicle or an aircraft inspected or any premises searched under this Act; (e) seize (i) a vessel including its fishing gear, equipment, stores and cargo, vehicle, fishing gear, nets or any other fishing appliances or aircraft which the officer has reasonable grounds to believe has been used or is being used in the commission of an offence; (ii) fish or fish products which the officer has reasonable grounds to believe have been caught in the commission of an offence, or fish or fish products which is possessed in contravention of this Act; (iii) an electric shock device, explosive, poison or any other noxious sub-stance which the officer has reason to believe has been used or is possessed in contravention of this Act; (iv) fish that does not meet health standards prescribed under this Act or any other enactment; (v) the logs, charts or any other documents required to be maintained by this Act or under the terms of a licence or any other authorisation which the officer has reasonable grounds to believe show or tend to show, with or without other evidence, the commission of an offence under this Act; (vi) any thing which the officer has reasonable grounds to believe might be used as evidence in proceedings under this Act; or (f) arrest a person whom the officer has reasonable grounds to believe has committed an offence under this Act.
(4) An authorised officer may, in arresting a person or seizing a fishing vessel which the officer has reasonable grounds to believe has acted in contravention of this Act, use the force that is reasonably necessary in the circumstances to effect the arrest.
(5) A written receipt shall be given for an article or a thing seized under this section and the grounds for the seizure shall be stated in the receipt.
(6) A person arrested without a warrant under this section shall be taken to a police station forthwith and dealt with in accordance with law.
(7) An authorised officer may, with or without a warrant or any other process, execute a warrant or any other process issued by a court.
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Part Three Sec 97
97.
Powers of authorised officer beyond limits of fishery waters
Where, following in hot pursuit in accordance with this Act, a fishing vessel is pursued beyond the limits of the fishery waters, the powers conferred on an authorised officer by this Act shall be exercisable beyond the limits of the fishery waters in accordance with international law.
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Part Three Sec 98
98.
Seized vessels to be taken to port
(1) Where a vessel is seized under this Act, (a) the master and crew shall take it to a port designated by the authorised officer, being the nearest or most convenient port, and (b) the master is responsible for the safety of the vessel, the port charges and every person on board the vessel, including the crew and the authorised officer until the vessel arrives at the designated port.
(2) If the master fails or refuses to take the seized vessel to the designated port, the authorised officer or a person called on to assist the master, may do so.
(3) If a vessel is taken to port under subsection (2), a claim shall not be made against an authorised officer or the Government in respect of the damage, injury, loss or death which occurs while the vessel is being so taken, subject to this Act.
(4) The provisions relating to vessels and masters described in subsections (1) to (3) shall apply with necessary modification to vehicles and aircraft seized in accordance with this Act, and their drivers and pilots respectively.
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Part Three Sec 99
99.
Removal of parts from seized vessels
(1) An authorised officer may remove a part from an unlicensed vessel, vehicle or aircraft held in the custody of the Republic for the purpose of immobilizing that vessel, vehicle or aircraft.
(2) A part removed under subsection (1) shall be kept safely and returned to the vessel, vehicle or aircraft on its lawful release from custody.
(3) A person shall not (a) knowingly possess or arrange to obtain a part removed under subsection (1), (b) knowingly possess or arrange to obtain or make a replacement or substitute a part for those removed under subsection (1), or (c) fit or attempt to fit a part or a replacement or substitute a part to a vessel, vehicle or an aircraft held in the custody of the Republic.
(4) A person who contravenes a provision of subsection (3) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $1 million or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years.
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Part Three Sec 100
100.
Observers of fishing vessels
(1) The Minister may, on the recommendations of the Council, appoint in writing public officers to act as observers in respect of a vessel issued with a fishing licence or an authorisation under this Act.
(2) Observers shall perform the functions determined by the Minister including (a) collection of catch and effort data, (b) taking reasonable samples of fish for scientific purposes, and (c) reporting violations of this Act and the Regulations.
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Part Three Sec 101
101.
Duties of master and crew towards authorised officers and observers
(1) A person on board a fishing vessel with a valid licence or an authorisation issued under this Act shall permit an authorised officer or an observer to board and remain on the vessel for the purposes of performing the functions of the officer or observer under this Act.
(2) The operator and every member of the crew of the vessel shall allow and assist an authorised officer or an observer to (a) board the vessel for scientific, compliance, monitoring and other functions, at the time and place directed by the Director; (b) have full access to and the use of facilities and equipment on board the ves-sel which the authorised officer or observer may determine is necessary to perform the functions of the officer or observer, including (i) full access to the bridge, navigation charts, fish on board and areas which may be used to hold, process, weigh or store fish, (ii) full access to the vessel's records, including its logbooks and docu-mentation for the purposes of records inspection and copying, (iii) full access to fishing gear on board, and (iv) reasonable access to navigation equipment and radios; (c) take and remove from the vessel reasonable samples for the purposes of scientific investigation and any other relevant information; (d) take photographs of the fishing operations, including fish, fishing gear and equipment and charts and records, and remove from the vessel photographs or film the officer or observer may have taken or used on board the vessel; (e) send or receive messages by means of the vessel's communications equipment; (f) perform their functions safely; and (g) disembark at the time and place that may be requested.
(3) The operator of the vessel shall provide an authorised officer or an observer forced by circumstances to stay on board the vessel for a prolonged period of time, while on board the vessel, with food, accommodation and medical facilities equivalent to that accorded to officers of the vessel at the expense of the operator.
(4) An operator of a vessel with a valid licence or an authorisation issued under this Act shall allow and assist an authorised officer or an observer to have full access to a place within the Republic where fish taken in the fishery waters is unloaded, processed, stored or transshipped, to remove reasonable samples for scientific purposes and to gather information relating to fisheries in the fishery waters.
(5) A person who contravenes a provision of this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $1 million.
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Part Three Sec 102
102.
Compliance with directions of authorised officers and observers and penalties
(1) The master and every crew member of a fishing vessel, the driver of a vehicle and the pilot and crew of an aircraft shall immediately comply with every instruction or direc-tion given by an authorised officer or an observer as appropriate, and facilitate safe boarding, entry and inspection of the vessel, vehicle or aircraft and the related fishing gear, equipment, records, fish and fish products.
(2) The master and every crew member of a vessel, driver of a vehicle and pilot and crew of an aircraft shall take reasonable measures to ensure the safety of an authorised officer or an observer as appropriate in the performance of the functions of the officer or observer.
(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2) and a person who (a) assaults, obstructs, resists, delays, refuses boarding to, intimidates or fails to take reasonable measures to ensure the safety of or otherwise interferes with an authorised officer or an observer in the performance of the duties of the officer or observer, (b) incites or encourages any other person to assault, resist or obstruct an authorised officer or an observer while performing the functions of the of-ficer or observer, or a person lawfully acting under the officer's orders or in the aid of the officer or observer, (c) uses threatening language or behaves in a threatening or insulting manner or uses abusive language or insulting gestures towards an authorised officer or an observer while in the performance of the functions of the officer or observer, or a person lawfully acting under the authorised officer's or ob-server's orders or in aid of the authorised officer or observer, (d) fails to comply with the lawful requirements of an authorised officer or an observer, (e) furnishes to an authorised officer or an observer particulars which, to that person's knowledge, are false or misleading in a material respect, or (f) impersonates or pretends to be an authorised officer or an observer or pretends to be a person lawfully acting under an authorised officer's or an observer's orders or in aid of the officer or observer, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than fifty penalty units nor more than five hundred penalty units in respect of an artisanal fishing vessel and not less than $1,000 nor more than \l2 million in respect of any other fishing vessel.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), a person who does not allow an authorised officer or an observer, or a person acting under the officer or observer or in aid of the officer or observer to perform any of the functions conferred by this Act is obstructing that officer, or observer or person.
(5) Where a vessel transports an authorised officer or an observer outside the fishery waters and the officer or observer is forced to disembark outside the territory or jurisdic-tion of the Republic, the master, owner and agent commits an offence and are jointly and severally liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than $20,000, plus the costs of repatriation including board and lodging while out of the Republic and the cost of direct transportation to the Republic.
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Part Three Sec 103
103.
Identification of authorised officer and observer
An authorised officer or an observer, when performing anyof the functions conferred by this Act on an authorised officer or an observer, shall on request, produce identification to the authority of the authorised officer or observer under this Act.
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Part Three Sec 104
104.
Insurance protection for authorised officers and observers
The Government shall arrange for full insurance coverage for all authorised officers and observers for the duration of their sea duties.
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Part Three Sec 105
105.
Indemnity for officers
Subject to the Constitution, an action shall not be brought against the personnel of the enforcement unit, an authorised officer or an observer in respect of an act done in good faith in the performance of a function under this Act. Detention, Sale, Release and Forfeiture of Property
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Part Three Sec 106
106.
Release of seized goods
(1) Subject to the other provisions of this section, where an offence is committed under this Act in relation to a fishing vessel, an aircraft, a vehicle or any other item, the fishing vessel, aircraft, vehicle or items may be arrested or seized and detained pending the conclusion of proceedings arising from the offence.
(2) A Court may, on application, order the release of a fishing vessel together with its fishing gear, equipment, stores and cargo, vehicle, an aircraft or any other items seized under this Act on receipt of the bond or any other form of security determined by the Court.
(3) In determining the value of the bond or any other form of security, the Court shall consider the aggregate amount of the value of the property to be released, an estimated total fine or any other penalty provided for the offences charged or likely to be charged and the costs the prosecution is likely to recover if a conviction were entered, and may set the valve at the aggregate amount.
(4) Despite subsection (3), the amount determined by the Court under this section shall not be less than the fair market value of the property to be released or the aggregate minimum fine or penalty for each offence charged, whichever is greater.
(5) Where a vessel, vehicle, an aircraft or any other item seized is released on the lodging of a bond or any other form of security, the Court shall, in the order, state sepa-rately the sums of money which are attributable to the property to be released, the total fine or fines and the likely costs.
(6) The release of a bond or any other form of security under this section shall be conditional on (a) a finding by the Court that the vessel, aircraft, vehicle or the other item has not been used in the commission ofan offence under this Act, or (b) payment in full within thirty days of the judgment of the Court of a fine imposed by the Court and the costs ordered to be paid by the Court.
(7) Subsection (2) does not require a Court to release a vessel, a vehicle, an aircraft or any other item if it might be required as an exhibit in court proceedings or is reasonably required for further investigations of offences under this Act.
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Part Three Sec 107
107.
Sale of perishable goods seized
(1) Fish or any other item of a perishable nature seized under this Act or the proceeds of sale of that fish or item shall be held and dealt with in accordance with this Act.
(2) The Director or an agent of the Commission may direct the sale of the fish or the other items referred to in subsection (1) and the proceeds of the sale shall be deposited with a Court pending the outcome of court proceedings under this Act, except that where, after making all reasonable effort, the fish or any other items cannot be sold, or where they are unfit for sale, the Director or the agent may dispose of them in the manner that the Director or agent thinks fit.
(3) The Director or agent shall notify the owner or apparent owner of the perishable goods seized, of the sale or other means of disposal, and the owner or the nominee of the owner may be present at the sale.
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Part Three Sec 108
108.
Holding of seized goods
Subject to the other provisions of this section and to sections 106 to 114, a vessel, ve-hicle, an aircraft or any other item seized under this Act or a bond or any other security or net proceeds of any sale in respect of a vessel, vehicle, an aircraft or any other item seized shall be held by the Court pending the outcome of legal proceedings under this Act or until it is decided not to lay a charge, and the penalties imposed under this Act or agreed to be paid have been fully paid.
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Part Three Sec 109
109.
Court's power of forfeiture
(1) Where a person is convicted of an offence under this Act, the Court in addition to any other penalty, (a) may order that a fishing vessel together with its fishing gear, equipment, stores and cargo and a vehicle or an aircraft used or involved in the commission of that offence shall be forfeited to the Republic; (b) shall order, where a person is convicted of an offence relating to an unlicensed activity under this Act, that a fishing vessel together with its fishing gear, equipment, stores and cargo and a vehicle or an aircraft used or involved in the commission of that offence be forfeited to the Republic.
(2) Where a vessel, vehicle, an aircraft or any other item seized under this Act, or a bond, security or the net proceeds of sale in respect of a vessel, vehicle, an aircraft or any other item seized is not forfeited or applied in the discharge of a fine, order or costs of penalty imposed under this Act, it shall be made available for collection by the registered owner or the nominee of the owner or, in the absence of that person, the person who ap-pears to the Court to be entitled to it.
(3) Where a vessel, vehicle, an aircraft or any other item has been released on the lodging of a bond or security, an order for forfeiture shall, unless the Court for special reasons fixes a smaller sum, operate as an order for forfeiture of the bond or security.
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Part Three Sec 110
110.
Application of bond
A bond, security or the net proceeds of sale held in respect of a vessel, vehicle, an air-craft or any other item shall be applied in the following order:
(a) the discharge of a forfeiture ordered under this Act;
(b) the payment of the fines or penalties for offences under this Act or penalties imposed under this Act arising out of the use of or in connection with the vessel, vehicle, aircraft or other item, and the amount remaining shall be returned to the owner or the agent of the owner.
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Part Three Sec 111
111.
Unlawful removal of seized goods
Where a vessel, vehicle, an aircraft or any other item held or forfeited under this Act is unlawfully removed from the custody of a government agency, the vessel, vehicle, aircraft or the other item is liable to seizure anywhere at any time within the jurisdiction of the Republic.
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Part Three Sec 112
112.
Disposal of forfeited goods
(1) A vessel, vehicle, an aircraft or any other item ordered to be forfeited under this Act may, at the expiry of the time limited for appeal and if an appeal is not lodged, be disposed of in the manner determined by the Council.
(2) A vessel, vehicle, an aircraft or any other item seized under this Act but not for-feited in legal proceedings may be held by the Commission until the fines, orders for costs and penalties imposed under this Act have been paid and, failing payment within the time allowed, may be sold and the balance of the proceeds returned to the person entitled in accordance with this Act after deduction of the fines, orders for costs, penalties imposed under this Act and costs of sale.
(3) Except where otherwise provided in this Act, the proceeds of sale of forfeited items other than fines shall be deposited in the Fund established under section 36.
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Part Three Sec 113
113.
Liability for loss, damage or deterioration of items in custody
Subject to this Act, the Commission shall take or arrange for reasonable care to be taken of an item in its custody pursuant to this Act, but is not otherwise liable to a person for a loss, damage to or deterioration in the condition of a vessel, vehicle, an aircraft, a cargo or any other item while in the custody of the Commission under this Act.
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Part Three Sec 114
114.
Removal of property in custody
A person who removes a vessel, vehicle, an aircraft or any other item held in custody under this Act commits an offence whether or not the person knew that the vessel, vehicle, aircraft or other item was held in custody and is liable on summary conviction in addition to the cost of the item removed, to a fine of not less than two hundred and fifty penalty units and not exceeding one thousand penalty units.
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