Penalty

(1) The adjudicating officer shall, after the enquiry under section 20, decide whether any person has used or caused or allowed to be used any fishing vessel in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or any rule or order or notification made thereunder or any condition of licence and any such person on being found guilty by the adjudicating officer, shall be liable to such penalty as may be prescribed.

(a) five thousand rupees, if the value of the fish involved is one thousand rupees or less; or

(b) five times the value of the fish, if the value of the fish involved is more than one thousand rupees; or

(c) five thousand rupees, in any other case, being a case not involving in any fish, as may be adjudged by the adjudicating officer.

(2) In addition to any penalty that may be imposed under sub-section (1), the adjudicating officer may direct that—

(a) the registration certificate of the fishing vessels which has been used or caused or allowed to be used, in the manner referred to in sub-section (1) or the licence, any condition of which has been contravened, shall be —

(i) cancelled or revoked, as the case may be; or

(ii) suspend for such period as the adjudicating officer deems fit; or

(b) the fish that might have been impounded or seized or the proceeds thereof as the case may be, under sections 18 or 19 shall be forfeited to the Government: