Maharashtra act 054 of 1981 : The Maharashtra Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1981.

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

CHAPTER II

REGULATION OF FISHING

CHAPTER III

PENALTIES

CHAPTER IV

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1.Short title, extent and Commencement.

(1) This Act may be called the Maharashtra Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1981.

(2) It extends to the whole of the State of Maharashtra (including the territorial waters).

(3) It shall come into force on such date¹ as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

1. 4th day of August 1982, vide G. N., A & C. D., No. FDX-1481/22167/181/12-ADF, dated the 2nd August 1981. (M.G.G. Part-IV B, p. 799).

Section 2.Definitions.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

¹[(a) "Adjudicating Officer" means the Assistant Commissioner of Fisheries having jurisdiction to exercise the powers conferred on, and discharge the duties imposed upon, an Adjudicating Officer by this Act ;]

²[(a-i) "Advisory and Monitoring Committee" means the State Advisory and Monitoring Committee constituted under section 3;]

³* * * **

(c) "Enforcement Officer" means the Assistant Fisheries Development Officer having jurisdiction, and includes any other Officer of the ⁴[Commissionerate of Fisheries], not below the rank of Assistant Fisheries Development Officer, authorised by the State Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, to exercise the powers conferred on, and discharge the duties imposed upon, an Enforcement Officer by this Act, in such area as may be specified in the notification ;

⁵[(c-i) "fish" means finfish, molluscs, crustaceans and all other forms of marine animal and plants other than marine mammals, reptiles and sea birds ;

(c-ii) "fisheries" means "fishing" and "fishing related activities" and includes,-

(i) searching for or tracking or trailing or pursuing fish;

(ii) catching or taking or harvesting of fish by any method;

(iii) landing, packaging, marketing, processing, preserving, transshipping or transporting of fish ;

(iv) any operations at sea directly linked to any activity described under this clause ;

(c-iii) "fishing gear" means tools such as any net, cage, trap or other contrivance used to capture "fish" and used in "fishing related activities" ;]

⁶[(d) "fishing vessel" means a boat, ship or vessel, whether or not fitted with mechanical means of propulsion, which is engaged in sea fishing for profit, and includes,-

(i) a non-motorized vessel,

(ii) a motorized vessel, and

(iii) a mechanized vessel,

engaged in sea fishing for profit ;]

(e) "Licensing Officer" means the Assistant Fisheries Development Officer having jurisdiction, and includes any other officer of the ⁷[Commissionerate of Fisheries], not below the rank of Assistant Fisheries Development Officer, authorised by the State Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, to exercise the powers conferred on, and discharge the duties imposed upon, a Licensing Officer by this Act, in such area as may be specified in the notification ;

⁸[(e-i) "master", in relation to a fishing vessel, means any person having command or charge of the vessel or having the responsibility of the vessel ;

(e-ii) "mechanized vessel" means any fishing vessel with engine permanently fitted in the hull, which uses machine power for propulsion as well as fishing operation like casting and pulling of fishing gear, engaged in sea fishing for profit ;

(e-iii) "motorized vessel" means any fishing vessel that has an engine fitted outside or inside on vessel which is used only for propulsion and not for fishing operation ;

(e-iv) "non-motorized vessel" means any fishing vessel that does not use any engine (mechanical) power for propulsion as well as fishing operation ;

(e-v) "operator" (tandel) means any person or enterprise, that controls the operation or management of a fishing vessel or who has assumed the responsibility for the operation of the vessel ;

(e-vi) "owner", in relation to a fishing vessel, means the owner of the vessel as well as any other person, including any organization or association of person, whether incorporated or not, by whom the vessel or a share in the vessel is owned ;]

(f) "Port" means the space within such limits as may, from time to time, be defined by the State Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, for the purpose of this Act ;

(g) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act ;

(h) "registered fishing vessel" means a fishing vessel registered under section 9 ;

⁹[(i) "Registration Officer" means the Assistant Commissioner of Fisheries and includes any other Officer authorised by the State Government by notification in the Official Gazette, to exercise the powers conferred on, and discharge the duties imposed upon, a Registration Officer by this Act, in such area as may be specified in the notification ;]

(j) "specified area" means such area in the sea along the entire coast line of the State, but not beyond territorial waters, as may be specified by the State Government, by notification in the Official Gazette ;

(k) "State" means the State of Maharashtra, and includes the territorial waters along the entire coast line of that State;

¹⁰[(l) "sustainable fishing" means fishing activities that do not cause or lead to undesirable changes in the biological and economic productivity, biological diversity or ecosystem structure and functioning from one human generation to the next.]

1. This clause was substituted by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 2(1).

2. This clause was inserted by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 2(2).

3. Clause (b) was deleted by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 2(3).

4. These words were substituted for the words "Directorate of Fisheries" by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 2(4).

5. These clauses were inserted by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 2(5).

6. Clause (d) was substituted by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 2(6).

7. These words were substituted for the words "Directorate of Fisheries" by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 2(7).

8. These clauses were inserted by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 2(8).

9. This clause was substituted by Mah. 30 of 2015, s. 2.

10. Clause (l) was added by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 2(9).

Section 3.Constitution of Advisory and Monitoring Committees.

3. ¹[Constitution of Advisory and Monitoring Committee].- ²[(1) There shall be a State Advisory and Monitoring Committee to exercise the powers conferred on and discharge the duties imposed upon it under this Act.

(1-A) The State Advisory and Monitoring Committee shall consist of the following members, namely:-


(i)	Commissioner of Fisheries, Maharashtra State	Chairperson ;
(ii)	Divisional Commissioner of Konkan Division or his representative	Member ;
(iii)	Chief Executive Officer of Maharashtra Maritime Board	Member ;
(iv)	Deputy Inspector General of Indian Coast Guard	Member ;
(v)	Inspector General of Police, Coastal Security and Security	Member ;
(vi)	Deputy Secretary (Fisheries), Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Department	Member ;
(viii)	Joint Commissioner of Fisheries (Marine)	Member - Secretary.

(1-B) The Advisory and Monitoring Committee may invite two representatives from the Central or State Government recognized research institute having knowledge in fisheries as special invitees. The special invitees may participate in the discussion in the meeting of the Advisory and Monitoring Committee, but they shall not have right to vote.

(1-C) The Advisory and Monitoring Committee shall recommend to the State Government the regulations to be enforced under Chapter II. The Advisory and Monitoring Committee may take into consideration recommendations of the District Committees, if any, before recommending the said regulations to the State Government. The Advisory and Monitoring Committee shall coordinate, monitor and give advice or directions to the District Committees, in exercise of the powers conferred on, and duties imposed upon them under this Act.]

(2) The ³[Advisory and Monitoring Committee shall recommend] the State Government on the following issue which may come up for consideration while enforcing the Act :-

(i) reservation of specified areas of the sea for fishing by vessels of a specified type ;

(ii) prohibition of vessels of specified type or specified types from fishing in any specified area ;

(iii) laying down maximum number of fishing vessels of specified type to be allowed for fishing in specified area ;

(iv) laying down the maximum number of fishing vessels of specified types to be registered in each of the ports in the District ;

(v) regulation or prohibition to catch specified species of fish in any specified areas ;

(vi) regulation or prohibition of specified fishing gear in specified areas ;

(vii) prescribe timings for fishing operations where necessary;

(viii) any other matter which would facilitate effective enforcement of the provisions of the Act.

⁴[(3) (a) There shall be a District Committee for each coastal district, with Collector as the Chairperson; and Superintendent of Police, Commandant Coast Guard and Port Officer as the Members; and Assistant Commissioner, Fisheries as a Member-Secretary.

(b) The Chairperson shall co-opt representatives of the other Government Departments and of the fishermen and trade, as he may deem fit.

(c) The District Committee shall recommend to the Advisory and Monitoring Committee the regulations to be enforced under Chapter II in the District.]

1. This words were substituted for the words "Constitution of Advisory Committee" by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 3(4).

2. These sub-sections were substituted for sub-section (1) by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 3(1).

3. These words were substituted for the words "Committee shall advise" by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 3(2).

4. This sub-section was added by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 3(3).

Section 4.Power to regulate, restrict or prohibit certain fishing activities within specified area.

(1) The State Government may, having regard to the matters referred to in sub-section (2) and after consultation with ¹[the Advisory and Monitoring Committee], by order notified in the Official Gazette, regulate, restrict or prohibit,-

(a) the fishing in any specified area by such class or classes of fishing vessels as may be specified ; or

(b) the number of fishing vessels which may be used for fishing in any specified area ; or

(c) the catching in any specified area of such species of fish and for such period as may be specified in the orders ; or

²[(c-i) number of crew members and fishing gear in case of different fishing vessels and types of fishing; or]

(d) the use of such fishing gear in any specified area as may be prescribed.

(2) In making an order under sub-section (1), the State Government shall have regard to the following matters, namely :-

(a) the need to protect the interests of different sections of persons engaged in fishing, particularly those engaged in fishing using traditional fishing craft such as country craft or canoe ;

(b) The need to conserve fish and to regulate fishing on a scientific basis ³[and for sustainable Fishing ;]

(d) any other matter that may be prescribed.

⁴[(3) The fishermen and their co-operative societies shall be bound to comply with any instructions or directions issued by the Coastal Police and officers of Fisheries Department, from time to time, for safety of fishermen and law and order.]

1. These words were substituted for the words "the Advisory Committee" by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 4(1)(i).

2. This clause was inserted by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 4(1)(ii).

3. These words were added by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 4(2).

4. This sub-section was added by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 4(3).

Section 5.Prohibition of use of fishing vessels in contravention of any order made under section 4.

No owner or ¹[master or operator (tandel)] of a fishing vessel shall use, or cause or allow to be used, such fishing vessel for fishing in any manner which contravenes an order made under section 4 :

Provided that nothing in such order shall be construed as preventing the passage of any fishing vessel from, or to, the shore, through any specified area to, or from any area other than specified area, for the purpose of fishing in such other area or for any other purpose :

Provided further that the passing of such fishing vessel through any specified area shall not in any manner cause any damage to any fishing nets or tackles belonging to any person who engages in fishing in the specified area by using any ²[non-motorized vessel or motorized vessel or mechanized vessel.]

1. These words were substituted for the word "master" by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 5(1).

2. These words were substituted for the words "Traditional Fishing Craft such as country craft or canoe" by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 5(2).

Section 6.Licensing of fishing vessels.

(1) The owner of a fishing vessel may make an application to the Licensing Officer for the grant of a licence for using such fishing vessel for fishing in any specified area.

(2) Every application under sub-section (1) shall be in such form, contain such particulars, and be accompanied by such fees, as may be prescribed.

(3) The Licensing Officer may after making such inquiry as he deems fit and having regard to the matters referred to in sub-section (4), either grant or refuse to grant, to the owner of the fishing vessel, a licence for using such fishing vessel for fishing in the specified area or specified areas mentioned in such licence :

Provided that, before making any order refusing to grant a licence, the Licensing Officer shall give a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the applicant.

(4) In granting or refusing licence under sub-section (3), the Licensing Officer shall have regard to the following matters, namely :-

(a) whether the fishing vessel is a registered fishing vessel;

(b) the condition of the fishing vessel, including the accessories and fishing gear with which it is fitted ;

¹[(c-i) whether the fishing vessel has seaworthiness certificate of such authority as may be prescribed;]

²[(c-ii) whether master or operator (tandel) who operated motorized or mechanized fishing vessels possess license and are trained in sea navigation;]

(d) any other matter that may be prescribed.

(5) A licence granted under this section shall be in such form and subject to such conditions, including conditions as to payment of such fees and furnishing such security for the due performance of the conditions, as may be prescribed :

Provided that different fees, and different amounts by way of security, may be prescribed in respect of licences for different classes of fishing vessels.

(6) A licence granted under this section shall be valid for a period of three years which may be renewed for similar periods from time to time.

1. This clause was inserted by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 6(1).

2. This clause was inserted by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 6(2).

Section 7.Prohibition of using fishing vessels which are not licensed.

No persons shall, after the commencement of this Act, carry on fishing in any specified area using a fishing vessel which is not licensed under section 6 :

Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to any fishing vessel, which was being used for fishing immediately before the commencement of this Act, for a period of six months from such commencement, or such longer period as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.

Section 8.Cancellation, suspension and amendment of licence.

(1) If the Licensing Officer is satisfied, either on a reference made to him in this behalf or otherwise, that-

(a) a licence granted under section 6 has been obtained by miscrepresentation as to an essential fact; or

(b) the holder of licence has, without reasonable cause, failed to comply with the conditions subject to which the licence has been granted or has contravened any of the provisions of this Act or any order or rule made thereunder, then, without prejudice to any other penalty to which the holder of the licence may be liable under this Act, the Licensing Officer may, after giving the holder of the licence a reasonable opportunity of showing cause, suspend or cancel the licence or forfeit the whole or any part of the security, if any, furnished for the performance of the conditions, subject to which the licence has been granted.

(2) Subject to any rules that may be made in this behalf, the Licensing Officer may also vary or amend a licence granted under section 6, after recording the reasons therefor.

Section 8A.Licensing of master or Operator (tandel).

¹[8A. Licensing of master or operator (tandel).- (1) The master or operator (tandel) of a motorized or mechanized fishing vessel shall make an application to the licensing officer for the grant of a license for operating such a fishing vessel.

(2) The master or operator (tandel) of a motorized or mechanized fishing vessel possessing such necessary qualification and such training certificate in sea navigation as may be prescribed shall be eligible to get a license for operating fishing vessel.

(3) Every application under sub-section (1) shall be in such form, contain such particulars, including necessary qualification and details of training, and be accompanied by such fees, as may be prescribed. A licence granted under this section shall be in such form and subject to such conditions, as may be prescribed.]

1. This section was inserted by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 7.

Section 9.Registration of vessels.

(1) The owner of very vessel used or intended to be used for purpose of fishing and kept in the State shall register such vessel under this Act.

(2) Every application for registration of such vessel shall be made by the owner thereof to the Registration Officer in such form, and shall be accompanied by such fees, as may be prescribed-

(a) before the expiration of one month from the date on which he first became the owner of such vessel; or

(b) before the expiration of three months from the commencement of this Act ; whichever is later :

Provided that the Registration Officer may, for sufficient reason to be recorded in writing, extend the time-limit for registration by such period as he thinks fit.

(3) The Registration Officer shall issue to the owner of the vessel registered by him a certificate of Registration in the prescribed form and shall enter in a register to be kept by him, in such form as may be prescribed, the particulars of such certificate.

(4) Registration once made shall continue to be in force until it is cancelled by the Registration Officer.

(5) Every vessel registered under this section shall carry a registration mark, assigned to it by the Registration Officer, displayed in the prescribed manner.

(6) No vessel, other than a registered fishing vessel, shall be entitled to a licence under section 6.

Section 10.Information to be given to Registration Officer about movement of fishing vessel and his permission to be obtained.

(1) Every owner of the fishing vessel shall declare his base port in the application for registration of the vessel.

(2) After registration of the vessel at a specified port, the owner of the vessel shall operate the vessel only from that port.

(3) In case the owner of the vessel intends to operate the vessel from a port other than the port specified in the registration certificate, he shall apply in writing to the Registration Officer indicating clearly the name of the port and the period for which the vessel will operate from that port. He shall shift the base of operation only after obtaining permission in writing from the Registration Officer. The Registration Officer reserves the right to refuse permission or even to cancel the permission granted, after giving one month's notice and after giving reasonable opportunity to show cause to the owner. The owner of the vessel to whom permission granted is cancelled shall shift his vessel from the temporary port within 24 hours after receipt of such order cancelling the permission.

Section 11.Returns to be made by owners of registered fishing vessels.

(1) Every owner of a registered fishing vessel shall furnish to the Registration Officer at the prescribed time and in the prescribed manner such returns as may be prescribed.

(2) The Registration Officer may inspect any registered fishing vessel at any time to verify the accuracy of any return made under this section.

Section 12.Finality of orders under sections 6, 8 and 9.

Every decision of the Licensing Officer or the Registration Officer under section 6, section 8 or section 9, granting or refusing to grant licence for a fishing vessel or suspending, cancelling, varying or amending such licence or registration or cancellation of registration of a vessel, as the case may be, shall, subject to any right of appeal under section 13, be final.

Section 13.Appeals against orders refusing grant of license or registration, etc.

¹[13. Appeals against orders refusing grant of license or registration, etc.- (1) Any person aggrieved by an order of the Licensing Officer refusing to grant licence for a fishing vessel or suspending, cancelling, varying or amending such licence or of the Registration Officer refusing to register a vessel or cancelling the registration of such vessel may, within thirty days from the date on which the order is communicated to him, prefer an appeal to the First Appellate Authority i.e the Commissioner of Fisheries, Maharashtra State.

(2) Any person aggrieved by an order of the First Appellate Authority may, within thirty days from the date on which the order is communicated to him, prefer an appeal to the Second Appellate Authority i.e the Government:

Provided that, the Appellate Authorities may entertain an appeal, after the expiry of the said period of thirty days, if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time.

(3) On receipt of an appeal under sub-section (1) or (2), the Appellate Authority shall, after giving an appellant a reasonable opportunity of being heard, pass such orders thereon, as it deems fit, as expeditiously as possible.

(4) The order of the First Appellate Authority shall be final in case second appeal is not filed and in case the second appeal is filed then the order of the Second Appellate Authority shall be final.]

1. This section was substituted by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 8.

Section 14.Power to enter and search fishing vessel.

Any Enforcement Officer may, if he has reason to believe that any fishing vessel is being, or has been, used in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act, or of any order or rule made thereunder or of any of the conditions of the licence, enter and search such vessel and ¹[seize such vessel including accessories and fishing gear with which it is fitted and any fish found in it.]

1. These words were substituted for the words "impound such vessel and seize any fish found in it" by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 9.

Section 15.Disposal of seized fish.

(1) The Enforcement Officer referred to in section 14 shall keep the fishing vessel, ¹[seized] in such place and in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) In the absence of suitable facilities for the storage of the fish seized, the Enforcement Officer may, if he is of the opinion that the ²[disposal of such fish within fourty-eight hours] and deposit the proceeds thereon in the prescribed manner in the office of the Adjudicating Officer.

1. This word was substituted for the word "impounded" by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 10(1).

2. These words were substituted for the words "dispose of such fish" Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 10(2).

Section 16.Adjudication.

(1) Where any Enforcement Officer has reason to believe that any fishing vessel is being, or has been, used in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act, or any order or rule made thereunder or of any of the conditions of the licence, he shall make a report thereof to the Adjudicating Officer.

(2) The Adjudicating Officer shall hold an inquiry into the matters mentioned in the report, in the prescribed manner after giving all the parties concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

Section 17.Imposition of penalty.

¹[17. Imposition of penalty.- (1) The Adjudicating Officer shall, after the inquiry is held under section 16, 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 of any order or rule made thereunder or of any of the conditions of the licence.

(2) When such person is found guilty by the Adjudicating Officer, he may, by order, in writing impose on such person a penalties specified in this section.

(3) Whoever uses or causes or allowes to be used any fishing vessel engaged in fishing or fishing related activities in the specified area without obtaining a valid licence under this Act shall be liable for,-

(a) in case where the vessel is non-motorized fishing vessel,-

(i) penalty of one thousand rupees for the first contravention ;

(ii) penalty of two thousand rupees for the second contravention ;

(iii) penalty of five thousand rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions ;

(b) in case where the vessel is motorized fishing vessel which operates with engine capacity up to 20hp,-

(i) penalty of three thousand rupees for the first contravention;

(ii) penalty of five thousand rupees for the second contravention ;

(iii) penalty of ten thousand rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions ;

(i) penalty of ten thousand rupees for the first contravention;

(ii) penalty of twenty thousand rupees for the second contravention;

(iii) penalty of thirty thousand rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions ;

(d) in case where the vessel is motorized fishing vessel which operates with engine capacity above 120 hp,-

(i) penalty of twenty five thousand rupees for the first contravention;

(ii) penalty of fifty thousand rupees for the second contravention ;

(iii) penalty of one lakh rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions;

(e) in case where the vessel is a mechanized fishing vessel of less than twelve meters length over all,-

(i) penalty of ten thousand rupees for the first contravention;

(ii) penalty of twenty thousand rupees for the second contravention;

(iii) penalty of fifty thousand rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions ;

(f) in case where the vessel is a mechanized fishing vessel between twelve and twenty meters (both inclusive) length over all,-

(i) penalty of forty thousand rupees for the first contravention;

(ii) penalty of one lakh rupees for the second contravention;

(iii) penalty of two lakh rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions;

(g) in case where the vessel is a mechanized fishing vessel of more than twenty meters length over all,-

(i) penalty of two lakh rupees for the first contravention ;

(ii) penalty of five lakh rupees for the second or subsequent contraventions.

(4) Whoever uses or caused or allowes to be used any fishing vessel engaged in fishing or fishing related activities in the specified area in contravention of,-

(i) conditions of license; or

(ii) safety and security of fishermen and fishing vessels; or

(iii) spatial and temporal closures and Monsoon fishing ban; or

(iv) prohibition of destructive fishing methods; or

(v) regulations in respect of matters other than those specified in sub-sections (5), (6) and (8);

shall be liable for,-

(a) in case where the vessel is a non-motorized fishing vessel,-

(i) penalty of one thousand rupees for the first contravention;

(ii) penalty of two thousand rupees for the second contravention;

(iii) penalty of five thousand rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions ;

(b) in case where the vessel is motorized fishing vessel which operates with engine capacity upto 20hp,-

(i) penalty of three thousand rupees for the first contravention;

(ii) penalty of five thousand rupees for the second contravention;

(iii) penalty of ten thousand rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions ;

(i) penalty of seven thousand rupees for the first contravention;

(ii) penalty of fifteen thousand rupees for the second contravention ;

(iii) penalty of twenty five thousand rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions;

(d) in case where the vessel is motorized fishing vessel which operates with engine capacity above 120 hp,-

(i) penalty of twenty thousand rupees for the first contravention;

(ii) penalty of forty thousand rupees for the second contravention ;

(iii) penalty of eighty thousand rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions;

(e) in case where the vessel is a mechanized fishing vessel of less than twelve meters length over all,-

(i) penalty of five thousand rupees for the first contravention;

(ii) penalty of ten thousand rupees for the second contravention;

(iii) penalty of twenty thousand rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions ;

(f) in case where the vessel is a mechanized fishing vessel between twelve and twenty meters (both inclusive) length over all,-

(i) penalty of twenty thousand rupees for the first contravention;

(ii) penalty of fifty thousand rupees for the second contravention;

(iii) penalty of one lakh rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions ;

(g) in case where the vessel is a mechanized fishing vessel of more than twenty meters length over all,-

(i) penalty of one lakh rupees for the first contravention ;

(ii) penalty of two lakh rupees for the second contravention;

(iii) penalty of five lakh rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions.

(5) Whoever contravenes an order under this Act relating to the regulation of purse seine or ring seine (including mini purse seine) or Trawl net including mesh size shall be liable for,-

(i) penalty of one lakh rupees for the first contravention;

(ii) penalty of three lakh rupees for the second contravention;

(iii) penalty of six lakh rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions.

(6) Whoever contravenes an order under this Act relating to the regulation of destructive fishing methods (bull or pair trawling, fish attractors, LED light fishing) shall be liable for,-

(i) penalty of minimum five lakh rupees for the first contravention ;

(ii) penalty of ten lakh rupees for the second contravention ;

(iii) penalty of twenty lakh rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions.

(7) Whoever contravenes an order under this Act relating to the regulation of the installation of Turtle Excluding Device shall be liable for,-

(i) penalty of one lakh rupees for the first contravention;

(ii) penalty of two lakh rupees for the second contravention;

(iii) penalty of five lakh rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions.

(8) Whoever contravenes an order under this Act relating to the regulation of the Ban on Juvenile Fishing shall be liable for,-

(a) in case where any fishing vessel catches juvenile fish of size less than minimum legal size,-

(i) penalty of one lakh rupees for the first contravention;

(ii) penalty of two lakh rupees for the second contravention ;

(iii) penalty of five lakh rupees for the third or subsequent contraventions;

(b) in case where juvenile fish (minimum legal size fish) is purchased by the fish merchant,-

(i) penalty of five times the value of the fish for first contravention;

(ii) penalty of five lakh rupees for the second or subsequent contraventions.

(9) (a) Whoever enters the territorial waters with the fishing vessel from outside the territorial waters of the State for the purpose of fishing or for any other allied purpose in contravention of any provisions of this Act or of any order or rule made thereunder shall be liable for,-

(i) penalty of two lakh rupees and five times the value of fish captured by such person for the first contravention;

(ii) penalty of six lakh rupees and five times the value of fish captured by such person for the second or subsequent contraventions.

(b) Whenever any fishing vessel from outside territorial waters of the State enters in the territorial waters of the State for the purpose of fishing or any other allied purpose in contravention of any provisions of this Act or of any order or rule made thereunder, it shall be liable to be seized mandatorily for first such contravention including accessories and fishing gear with which it is fitted and any fish found in it ; and fishing vessel with all Crew Members, Operator (tandel) and Master including accessories and fishing gear with which it is fitted shall be handed over to police authorities for necessary action.

(10) The amount of any penalty imposed under this section shall be recoverable as an arrear of land revenue.

(11) In addition to any penalty that may be imposed under this section, the Adjudicating Officer may direct that,-

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

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

(ii) suspended for such period as the Adjudicating Officer deems fit ; or

(b) the fishing vessel including accessories and fishing gear with which it is fitted or fish that may have been seized under section 14 shall be forfeited to the Government :

Provided that, no fishing vessel shall be forfeited under clause (b), if the Adjudicating Officer, after hearing the owner of such vessel or any person claiming any right thereto, is satisfied that the owner or such person had exercised due care for the prevention of the commission of such default.

(12) The defaulter fishing vessels and owner shall not be entitled for any type of benefits under the Central-State assistance scheme or the State Government scheme.]

1. This section was substituted by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 11.

Section 18.Appeals against order of Adjudicating Officer and Appellate Authorities.

¹[18. Appeals against order of Adjudicating Officer and Appellate Authorities.- (1) Any person aggrieved by an order of the Adjudicating Officer may, within thirty days from the date on which the order is communicated to him, prefer an appeal to the First Appellate Authority having jurisdiction, i.e. the Commissioner of Fisheries, Maharashtra State to hear such first appeal:

Provided that, the State Government may, whenever necessary, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint one or more First Appellate Authorities for such area in the Konkan Revenue Division, as may be specified in the notification.

(2) Any person aggrieved by an order of the First Appellate Authority may, within thirty days from the date on which the order is communicated to him, prefer second appeal to the Government.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (1) and (2), the First Appellate Authority or the Second Appellate Authority, as the case may be, may entertain any appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days, but not after the expiry of sixty days from the date aforesaid, if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time.

(4) No appeal under this section shall be entertained by the First Appellate Authority, unless the appellant has, at the time of filing the appeal, deposited the amount of penalty payable under the order appealed against:

Provided that, on an application made by the appellant in this behalf, the First Appellate Authority may, if it is of the opinion that the deposit to be made under this sub-section will cause undue hardship to the appellant, by an order in writing, dispense with fifty per cent. amount of such deposit, either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as it may deem fit to impose.

(5) On receipt of an appeal under sub-section (1) or (2), the Appellate Authority may, after holding such inquiry as it deems fit, and after giving the parties concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard, confirm, modify or set aside the order appealed against and,-

(a) if the sum deposited by way of penalty under sub-section (4) exceeds the penalty directed to be paid by the Appellate Authorities, the excess amount, or

(b) if the Appellate Authorities sets aside the order imposing penalty, the whole of the sum deposited by way of penalty,

shall be refunded to the appellant.

(6) The order of the First Appellate Authority shall be final in case second appeal is not filed and in case the second appeal is filed then the order of the Second Appellate Authority shall be final.]

1. This section was substituted by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 12.

Section 19.Deleted.

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1. Section 19 was deleted by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 13.

Section 20.Power of Adjudicating Officer and the Appellate Authorities in relation to holding inquiry under this Act.

20. Power of Adjudicating Officer and the ¹[Appellate Authorities] in relation to holding inquiry under this Act.- (1) The Adjudication Officer and the ²[Appellate Authorities] shall, while holding an inquiry, have all the powers of a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (V of 1908), while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely :-

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath ;

(b) requiring the discovery and production of any document ;

(d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any Court or office ;

(e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents ;

(f) any other matter which may be prescribed.

(2) The Adjudicating Officer or the ³[Appellate Authorities] shall, while exercising any power under this Act, be deemed to be a Civil Court for the purposes of sections 345 and 346 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (II of 1974).

1. These words were substituted for the words "Appellate Board" by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 14.

2. These words were substituted for the words "Appellate Board" by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 14.

Section 21.General provision for punishment of offences.

Whoever contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or any order of rule made thereunder or any of the conditions of the licence, shall, without prejudice to any other action which may be taken against him under this Act, on conviction, be punished with fine, which may extend to ¹[ten thousand rupees and with further fine which may extend to five hundred rupees] for every day on which such contravention continues after the first conviction.

1. These words were substituted for the words "one thousand rupees and with further fine which may extend to fifty rupees" by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 15.

Section 21A.Cognizance of offences.

¹[21A. Cognizance of offences.- No Court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act except upon a complaint in writing made by the Licensing Officer or an Enforcement Officer.]

1. This section was inserted by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 16.

Section 22.Offences by companies.

(1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, every person who, at the time the offence was committed, was in charge of, and was responsible to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly :

Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any punishment, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where any offence under this Act has been committed by a company, and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to, any neglect on the part of, any Director, Manager, Secretary or other officer of the company, such Director, Manager, Secretary or other officer shall be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

Explanation.- For the purposes of this section-

(a) "company" means any body corporate, and includes a firm or other association of individuals ; and

(b) "Director", in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.

Section 23.Exemptions.

(1) Nothing contained in this Act shall apply to ¹[survey vessels, training vessels or patrolling vessels] belonging to the Central Government or any State Government or any Public Undertakings.

(2) If the State Government is of the opinion that, having regard to the purposes of this Act, it would not be in the public interest to apply all or any of the provisions of this Act, to any class or classes of fishing vessels used for fishing in any specified area or specified areas, it may by notification in the Official Gazette, exempt, subject to such conditions as it may think fit to impose, such class or classes of fishing vessels used or fishing in such specified area or specified areas, and for such period or periods, as it may specify in the notification, from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act.

1. These words were substituted for the words "survey vessels" by Mah. 16 of 2022, s. 17.

Section 24.Protection of action taken in good faith.

(1) No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Government or any officer or authority or anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or any order or rule made thereunder.

(2) No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Government or any officer or authority or any damage caused or likely to be caused by anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or any order or rule made thereunder.

Section 25.Power to make rules.

(1) The power to made rules under this Act shall be exercisable by the State Government.

(2) Without prejudice to any power to make rules contained elsewhere in this Act, the State Government may make rules consistent with this Act to carry out the purposes of this Act.

(3) All rules made under this Act shall be subject to the condition of previous publication.

(4) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of the State Legislature, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days, which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, and notify such decision in the Official Gazette, the rule shall, from the date of publication of such notification, have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.

Section 26.Saving.

Nothing in this Act shall apply to fishing and fisheries beyond territorial waters.