Govt proposes fines of up to MVR 1mn for export of protected fish species

The government has presented key amendments to the Fisheries Act, including introducing fines of up to MVR 1 million for export of protected fish species.

The bill, sponsored by South Thinadhoo MP Mohamed Alsan Mohamed, was read at the Parliament on Wednesday.

According to Alsan, the purpose of the bill is to strengthen the system for administrative penalties against fishing vessels that violate the Fisheries Act.

The bill proposes amendments to the policy on determining species permissible for fishing, and remedies for challenges in enforcing the law. The bill also criminalizes catching protected fish species, and prescribes fines for such violations.

The bill is designed to empower the Fisheries Ministry with imposing individual fines of up to MVR 400,000 against masters, owners or operators of fishing vessels for offenses. It also prescribes fines of MVR 200,000 to MVR 2 million for other major infractions.

The bill criminalizes fishing in protected areas, as well as catching or exporting a protected fish species, prescribing fines of MVR 500,000 to MVR 1 million for such offenses.

The bill also prohibits causing damage to fisheries devices, prescribing fines of MVR 200,000 for such offenses.

The bill states that in situations where a legal entity or company commit an offense with the approval of a director or senior official of such an entity, then both the entity and the official will be held liable. The bill prescribes fines of MVR 100,000 to MVR 5 million, depending on the severity of the offense.

Alsan said the amendments will help stop illegal fisheries activities protect Maldives’ marine resources.

He described it as an important step towards the sustainability of the fisheries sector.

The bill also includes procedures for formulating and implementing management plans.