The 22 sections of this Act are divided into 7 Parts, i.e.: Administration (I); Licensing of fishing on the High Seas (II); International cooperation (III); Enforcement (IV); Prohibitions and offences (V); Court proceedings, penalties and compounding of offences (VI); Regulations (VII). Section 3 outlines the functions and duties of the Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer and indicates specified offices as fisheries officers. No Virgin Islands fishing vessel shall be used for fishing on the High Seas except with a fishing licence granted by the Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer. A fishing vessel shall not be eligible for a licence when such vessel was previously authorized by another state to fish on the high seas and that State has suspended such authorisation or withdrawn the authorisation within three years preceding the application because the vessel "has undermined the effectiveness of international conservation and management measures" (sect. 5). A licence shall not be granted unless the Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer is satisfied that the Virgin Islands will be able to exercise effectively its responsibilities under the Agreements in respect of that vessel. A licence may be general or may subject to restrictions such as the area in which fishing is authorized, the period during which fishing is authorised, the method of fishing, and the species, size and quantities of fish which may be taken. Vessels shall be marked in accordance with FAO Standard Specifications for the Marking and Identification of Fishing Vessels and vessels shall keep records of fishing activities (sect. 7).
Îles Vierges Brit. (RU) · 1995-01-01