An Act to provide for the conservation and management of fishery in the fishery waters of the Cook Islands. "Fishery waters" comprises the territorial sea, the EEZ and internal waters, including lagoons, as defined in the Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone Act, 1977. The Act consists of 62 sections divided into 5 Parts: Fisheries management and development (I); Foreign fishing (II); Powers of authorized officers and observers (III); Sale, release and forfeiture of retained property (IV); Jurisdiction and evidence (V). For purposes of conservation and development of fish resources, the Minister may authorize a fishery as designated fishery under section 3. A fisheries plan shall be prepared and kept under review for each designated fishery. Local fisheries committees may be established by the Secretary of Marine Resources on islands under section 4. Island Councils shall have the power to promulgate by-laws for fishing in the designated fishery of the Island (sect. 5). They shall also have the power to declare closed seasons and to issue licences on terms as specified in the by-laws (sects. 6 and 7). Section 13 of Part II prescribes certain requirements which shall be included in access agreements. Section 15 places restrictions on driftnet fishing. Other provisions of Part II deal with foreign fishing licences and locally based foreign fishing vessel licences, for authorisations for research or transhipment of fish, for fish processing establishments, and they prohibit certain fishing methods.
Cook Islands · 1989-12-22