This Ordinance makes provision with respect to selected matters regarding marine fisheries in waters of Ascension. The Ordinance also establishes fishery limits, which extend to 200 miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea adjacent to the island of Ascension is measured. The Ordinance consists of 32 sections divided into seven Parts. It is completed by three Schedules. As for fisheries administration, the Governor shall appoint a person to be the Director of Fisheries. This Ordinance shall be enforced by Fisheries Protection Officers acting subject to the direction of the Director of Fisheries. In the performance of their duties under this Ordinance, the Director of Fisheries and every Fishery Protection Officer shall have regard to the provisions of ICCAT (measures). The Governor may by Order provide that in any or all of the fishery limits area specified in the Order fishing is prohibited unless it is authorised by a licence granted by the Director of Fisheries. The Ordinance defines IUU offences and IUU-related offences and defines other offences relating to fishing boats and fish aggregating devices. Part III provides with respect to harbour access and transshipment of fish. The Governor may by Order provide that in any or all of the fishery limits area specified in the Order transhipment of fish or fishing products or fuel is prohibited unless it is authorised by a licence granted by the Director of Fisheries. A transhipment licence may be unconditional or may be made subject to such conditions as the Director of Fisheries thinks fit, including (but not confined to) conditions as to the treatment of transhipped fish on board the recipient vessel to which it has been passed. Access to Ascension harbour, the provision of harbour services, and the conduct of landing or transhipment operations in the harbour shall be prohibited for foreign fishing boat unless they meet the requirements laid down in this Part, except in cases of force majeure or distress. The Director of Fisheries shall be notified at least 72 hours before the estimated time of arrival of the vessel and be supplied with the information in Schedule B. Fishing vessels involved in IUU fishing boats shall not be authorised to enter except in case of force majeure or distress. Part IV provides with respect to inspection of fishing vessels and departure requirements. The Ordinance furthermore provides, among other things, with respect to measures of offences, appeal and regulation-making powers of the Governor an defines offences.
Sainte-Hélène, Ascension et Tristan da Cunha (RU) · 2015-12-07