Establishment of Authority and appointment of Chairperson and members

(1) With effect from such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint in this behalf, there shall be established for the purposes of this Act an Authority to be called the Coastal Aquaculture Authority. (2) The head office of the Authority shall be at such place as the Central Government may decide. (3) The Authority shall consist of the following members who shall be appointed by the Central Government, namely:— (a) the Chairperson who is, or has been, a Judge of a High Court; (b) one member who is an expert in the field of coastal aquaculture; (c) one member who is an expert in the field of coastal ecology nominated by the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Central Government; (d) one member who is an expert in the field of environment protection or pollution control nominated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of the Central Government; (e) one member to represent the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of the Central Government; (f) one member to represent the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Central Government; (fa) one member to represent the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying of the Central Government; (g) one member to represent each of the coastal States and Union territories; (3A) When the office of the Chairperson is vacant, the Central Government may, till the appointment of a new incumbent to the said office, nominate any member of the Authority to exercise such of the powers, and perform such of the functions, of the Chairperson as may be prescribed. (4) The term of office of the Chairperson and every other member shall be three years. (5) The salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, the members shall be such as may be prescribed.