Regulation, restriction or prohibition of fishing in the specified area.

Power to regulate, restrict or prohibit certain matters within specified area.-

1. (1) The Government may, having regard to the matters referred to in sub- section (2) by notification,-
   • (a) regulate, restrict or prohibit the fishing in any specified area by such class or classes of fishing vessels as may be specified in such notification; or
   • (b) regulate or restrict the number of fishing vessels which may be used for fishing in any specified area; or
   • (c) regulate, restrict or prohibit the catching in any specified area of such species of fish and for such period as may be specified in the notification; or
   • (d) regulate, restrict or prohibit the use of such fishing gear in any specified area as may be specified in the notification or
   • (e) fix the hours in a day during which any person may carry on fishing in any specified area using such class or classes of fishing vessels as may be specified in such notification.
2. (2) In issuing a notification under sub-section (1), the Government shall have regard to the following matters, namely:-
   • (a) the need to protect the interest of different sections of persons engaged in fishing particularly those engaged in fishing using traditional fishing craft such as catamaran, country craft or canoe;
   • (b) the need to conserve fish and to regulate fishing on a scientific basis;
   • (c) the need to maintain law and order in the sea;
   • (d) such other matters as may be prescribed.
3. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (1) and (2), no owner or

master of a mechanised fishing vessel shall use or cause or allow to be used

such fishing vessel for fishing operation in the sea within three nautical miles from the coast line in the State and the owner or master of a mechanised fishing vessel shall use or cause or allow to be used such mechanised fishing vessels only beyond three nautical miles from the coast line in the State and such operation beyond three nautical miles shall be subject to the condition specified in the Schedule to this Act.

1. (4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) and (2), no owner or master of a deep sea fishing vessels shall use or cause or allow to be used such fishing vessels for fishing operation in the sea within three nautical miles from the coastline in the State and the owner or master or a deep sea fishing

vessels shall use or cause or allow to be used such deep sea fishing vessel

only beyond three nautical miles from the coastline in the State and such operation beyond three nautical miles shall be subject to such conditions as the