Notifying as aquaculture area

(1) The Government may, for the aquaculture related development or for the public interest of aquaculture sector, by notification in the Gazette, declare any public water body or other suitable area as aquaculture area exclusively for aquaculture related activities:

Provided that the provisions under sub-section (1) shall not be applicable to the areas included in the coastal area as defined in the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005 (Central Act 24 of 2005):

Provided further that for declaring water bodies or areas as aquaculture area under sub-section (1), decision shall be taken after consulting with the concerned Local Self Government Institutions.

(2) Government may make rules for the utilisation, restriction, regulation and control of the fisheries related activities in the aquaculture areas and also for the protection of such areas from being utilised for any other purpose other than that specified in sub-section (1).