Powers of the Authority -The authority shall have the following powers:-

The authority shall have the following powers:- (i) initiate and conduct surveys and studies to ascertain the potential and problems in aquaculture of the State; (ii) to enact & enforce Acts and to formulate & implement rules, regulations & policies; (iii) issue licenses and endorse licenses for aquaculture and aquaculture business operations; (iv) order to bring any service / product under its jurisdiction by means of framing regulations; (v) with due consultation with stakeholders decide, declare and fix the rate for any aquaculture input, tools, equipment, service etc; (vi) with due consultation with stakeholders decide, declare and fix the rate for aquaculture produce / seafood / value added products etc; (vii) acquire and hold, take or give on lease, mortgage or hire, or sell or otherwise dispose of, any movable or immovable property; (viii) establish new aquaculture projects / units/body / establishment/ society/institute by convergence of various Government schemes and by getting financial support from different funding agencies; (ix) take up Research and Development Programmes, if need arises; (x) to establish training centers and conduct skill development / HRD programmes; (xi) levy and collect certification charges / any other charges on different aquaculture inputs like seed, feed, feed ingredients, feed supplements, aqua chemicals, aqua products, medicines, services and aquaculture produce/seafood; (xii) levy and charge fees or any other charges for services rendered, or for facilities and equipment provided, by the Authority; (xiii) to collect market data on seafood exports and interpret it for the benefit of aqua farmers; (xiv) enter into MoUs; (xv) provide consultancy services & to establish incubation centers; (xvi) enter into perform and carry out, whether directly or any officer or agent authorized in that behalf, or by way of joint venture with any person in or outside India, all such contracts or agreements as may be necessary for the discharge of the functions of the Authority; (xvii) establish such departments, divisions and regional offices as may be necessary for the proper discharge of its functions; (xviii) delegate the required powers to any of the executive Officer/staff/Government employee to discharge the functions of the authority; (xix) entrust some of its functions /activities to any third party agency/ agencies for efficient functioning of the authority; (xx) accept budget allocation from state and central governments, funds, gifts, grants, donations or subsidies, whether in cash or otherwise, and to utilize them for discharging the functions of the Authority; (xxi) to do all such other things which are necessary for the efficient discharge of the functions of the Authority; (xxii) establishing and networking of laboratories and aqua technicians, institutions; (xxiii) to collect, analyse samples and to certify all aquaculture inputs like seed, feed, feed ingredients, feed supplements, aqua chemicals, aqua products, medicines, implements, equipment, IT enabled products/ services, aquaculture produce/seafood/ value added products/ aquaculture ancillary services; (xxiv) to inspect and audit any farm/hatchery/feed manufacturing unit / any other aquaculture or aquaculture business unit for compliance to the quality standards; (xxv) to enter and inspect physical facilities, raw materials, finished products, records of all aquaculture production, processing and distribution and sales units; (xxvi) impose fines and penalties to any aquaculture production, processing and distribution and sales units in case of violations of the provisions of the act; (xxvii) regularize unauthorized aquaculture production, processing and distribution and sales units; (xxviii) regulate and control the conversion of productive agriculture lands in aquaculture ponds; (xxix) constitute committee or sub committees as and when required for carrying out the functions of the authority in an effective manner; (xxx) any other powers as may be prescribed;