Definitions. - In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, -

1. (a) "Adjudicating officer" means any officer of the Fisheries Department, not below the rank of an Assistant Director of Fisheries, authorised by the Government, by notification, to exercise the powers conferred on, and discharge the duties imposed upon, as may be specified in the notification.
2. (b) "Appellate authority" means any officer of the Fisheries Department not below the rank of Deputy Director of Fisheries, authorised by the Government, by notification, to exercise the powers conferred on, and discharge the duties imposed upon the appellate authority under this Act, for such area as may be specified in the notification.
3. (c) "authorised officer" means an officer authorised by the Government under section 4;
4. (d) "Fish" includes prawn, shrimps, shell fish and crustaceans.
5. (e) "Fishing vessel" means a ship or boat. whether or not fitted with mechanical means of propulsion, which is engaged in sea-fishing for profit and includes-
   • (i) a deep sea fishing vessel,
   • (ii) a mechanised fishing vessels,
   • (iii) a catamaran,
   • (iv) a country craft, including Vallam or
   • (v) a canoe, engaged in sea-fishing;
6. (f) "Government" means the State Government;
7. (g) "mechanised fishing vessel" means a ship or boat fitted with mechanised means of propulsion having an engine not less than fifteen Horse Power but

not more than one hundred and twenty Horse Power and measuring in length

not less than eight metres and not more than fifteen metres, but does not include a deep sea fishing vessel and a "deep sea fishing vessel" means a ship or boat fitted with mechanical means of propulsion having an engine of not less than one hundred and twenty Horse Power and measuring in length not less than fifteen metres.

1. (h) "owner" in relation to any fishing vessel, includes any person who has power to sell or transfer the fishing vessel or who has the custody thereof or who receives whether or his own behalf or on behalf of any other person, rent for such fishing vessels.
   • (i) "Port" means the space within such limits as may from time to time defined by the Government, by notification, for the purposes of this Act;
2. (j) "A registered fishing vessel" means-
   • (i) a fishing vessel registered under section 11 of the Marine Products Export Development Authority Act, 1972 (Central Act 13 of 1972) or,
   • (ii) a fishing vessel registered under section 10.
3. (k) "specified area" means such area in the sea along the whole or part of the coastline of the State, but not beyond territorial waters as may be specified by the Government by notification from time to time;
4. (l) "State" means the State of Tamil Nadu and includes the territorial waters along the entire coast line of that State.