This Ordinance consists of 14 sections: Short title (sect. 1); Interpretation (sect. 2); Fisheries inspectors (sect. 3); Power to declare protected areas (sect. 4); Prohibited methods of fishing (sect. 5); Restriction on export (sect. 6); Foreign fishing boats (sect. 7); Enforcement power (sect. 8); Custody (sect. 9); Detention of vessels (sect. 10); Trial of offences (sect. 11); Rules (sect. 12); Penalty for possession (sect. 13); Exemptions (sect. 14). The Ordinance provides for definitions in section 2. Categories of officers regarded as fisheries inspectors for the purposes of this Ordinance are listed under section 3. The Minister may by Order declare any area of waters within the exclusive fishing zone, whether including or not any area of land up to the high water mark adjacent to such waters, to be a protected area (sect. 4). Under section 5, the Minister is authorized to prohibit by order, anywhere within the exclusive fishing zone, the taking of: a) any species or kind of marine product absolutely or temporarily; b) any marine product by any method specified in the order; c) marine product by the use of any engine, dredge, trap or device. The same section further stipulates that any fishing boat operating within the exclusive fishing zone shall have been issued a licence and registered. Export of any marine product is subject to the obtaining of a licence (sect. 6). The taking of any marine product by a person on board a foreign fishing vessel is prohibited unless such taking is made for scientific research purposes and has been duly authorized (sect. 7). Section 8 regulates enforcement powers vested in fisheries inspectors. Procedures governing custody, detention and release of vessels or objects are set out in sections 9 and 10. Section 11, on trial offences, addresses the issue of territorial jurisdiction. For the better carrying out of the provisions of the Ordinance, the Minister is authorized to make regulations on the matters set out in section 12. Possession of any prohibited article or any marine product constitutes an offence and is punishable (sect. 13). Lastly, the Minister is authorized by order to exempt any person or class of persons from any provision of this Ordinance (sect. 15).
British Virgin Islands (UK) · 1980-10-30