MP submits legislature aimed at banning unlicensed fishing

A lawmaker has submitted new legislature to the Parliament aimed at banning all types of fishing – whether commercial or leisure – without a license issued by Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture.

The first reading of the Fisheries Bill, submitted by Alifushi MP Mohamed Rasheed Hussain, was held at the Parliament this Tuesday morning.

The Bill has a chapter dedicated fishing and fishing related activities carried out in the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone.

The chapter says any type of fishing in the Maldives EEZ requires a license issued by Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture.

PERMIT REQUIRED TO HOLD FISHING COMPETITIONS

 The Fisheries Bill says that once it is passed, ratified and comes into effect, no fishing competitions for sports or any other purpose may be held in Maldives EEZ without a special permit from the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture.

LEISURE OR SPORTS FISHING (ARTICLE 17 (a) OF FISHERIES BILL)

The Bill states that no party may hold fishing competitions in Maldives EEZ for sports or any other purpose without prior written permission from Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture. It sets down procedure for foreign parties to obtain permission for fishing in Maldives EEZ, but states that unpermitted entrance into Maldives EEZ by foreign vessels will be met with penalties.

The Bill does not specifically state the penalties which will be imposed for unpermitted entrance into Maldives EEZ, but empowers Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture with the authority to compile necessary regulations and declare necessary penalties under the Bill.

The Bill, although it states a fee must be imposed for fishing license issued to both local and foreign parties, does not specify the fee, and leaves the decision to be made at the discretion of the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture.

The Bill bans Maldivians from fishing outside of the Maldives EEZ, but says the Maldivians may fish outside of the Maldives EEZ with a valid written permit issued by Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture and as long as the parties comply with international laws and conventions.

LICENSE FOR FISHING BOATS

It the Bill passes though the Parliament intact, fishing boats will need to obtain a license from Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture for a fee.

CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANTING CANCELLATION AND SUSPENSION OF LICENSE

• If the fishing boat issued a license is used illegally or if violates any of the conditions for issuance of license
• If a cancellation or suspension of the license is necessary under an international convention which Maldives is a part of

The Bill says that the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture must inform of any decision to suspend or cancel a license via written communication to the owner of the fishing boat.

Though the first reading of the Fisheries Bill was held at the Parliament this Tuesday, further work on the Bill is expected to proceed once the newly elected lawmakers are inaugurated and the 19th Parliament begins in May.