The Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981
# THE MARITIME ZONES OF INDIA (REGULATION OF FISHING BY FOREIGN
 VESSELS) ACT, 1981
 _________

 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
 ________

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

SECTIONS

1. Short title and commencement.
2. Definitions.

CHAPTER II

REGULATION OF FISHING BY FOREIGN VESSELS

3. Prohibition of fishing in maritime zones of India by foreign vessels.
4. Grant of licences.
5. Prohibition of fishing by Indian citizens, etc., using foreign vessels.
6. Cancellation or suspension of licence or permit.
7. Foreign vessel entering maritime zones of India without licence or permit to stow gear.
8. Fishing for scientific research, investigation, etc.

CHAPTER III

POWERS OF SEARCH AND SEIZURE

9. Authorised officers and their powers

CHAPTER IV

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

10. Penalty for contravention of section 3.
11. Penalty for contravention of licence.
12. Penalty for contravention of permit.
13. Confiscation of vessels, etc.
14. Penalty for contravention of section 7.
15. Penalty for obstruction of authorised officers.
16. Court to pass certain orders.
17. Offences by companies.

CHAPTER V

MISCELLANEOUS

18. Offences to be cognizable.
19. Cognizance and trial of offences.
20. Magistrate’s power to impose enhanced penalties.
21. Place of trial.
22. Presumptions.
23. Protection of action taken in good faith.
24. Act to supplement other laws.
25. Power to make rules.
26. Removal of difficulties.

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# THE MARITIME ZONES OF INDIA (REGULATION OF FISHING BY FOREIGN
 VESSELS) ACT, 1981
 ACT NO. 42 OF 1981

[28th September, 1981.]

# An Act to provide for the regulation of fishing by foreign vessels in certain maritime zones of
 India and for matters connected therewith.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Thirty-second Year of the Republic of India as follows:—

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

**1. Short title and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Maritime Zones of India**

(Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981.

(2) It shall come into force on such date[1] as the Central Government may, by notification in Official

Gazette, appoint:

Provided that different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act and any reference

in any such provisions to the commencement of this Act shall be construed as a reference to the coming
into force of that provision.

**2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—**

(a) “exclusive economic zone of India” means the exclusive economic zone of India in

accordance with the provisions of section 7 of the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive
Economic Zone and other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (80 of 1976).

(b) “fish” means any aquatic animal, whether piscine or not, and includes shell fish, crustacean,

molluscs, turtle (chelonia), aquatic mammal (the young, fry, eggs and spawn thereof), holothurians,
coelenterates, sea weed, coral (porifera) and any other aquatic life;

(c) “fishing” means catching, taking, killing, attracting or pursuing fish by any method and

includes the processing, preserving, transferring, receiving and transporting of fish;

(d) “foreign vessel” means any vessel other than an Indian vessel;

(e) “Indian vessel” means—

(I) a vessel owned by Government or by a corporation established by a Central Act or a

Provincial or State Act, or

(II) a vessel—

(i) which is owned wholly by persons to each of whom any of the following descriptions

applies:—

(1) a citizen of India;

(2) a company in which not less than sixty per cent, of the share capital is held by

citizens of India;

(3) a registered co-operative society every member whereof is a citizen of India or

where any other co-operative society is a member thereof, every individual who is a
member of such other co-operative society is a citizen of India; and

(ii) which is registered under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958), or under any

other Central Act or any Provincial or State Act.

_Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, “registered co-operative society” means a society_

registered or deemed to be registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 (2 of 1912), or any other
law relating to co-operative societies for the time being in force in any State;

1. 2nd November, 1981, vide notification No. S.O. 782(E), dated 31st October, 1981, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II,

sec. 3(ii).

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(f) “licence” means a licence granted under section 4;

(g) “maritime zones of India” means the territorial waters of India or the exclusive economic zone

of India;

(h) “master”, in relation to a vessel, means the person for the time being having command or

charge of the vessel;

(i) “owner”, in relation to a vessel, includes any association of persons, whether incorporated or

not, by whom the vessel is owned or chartered;

(j) “permit” means a permit granted or deemed to have been granted under section 5;

(k) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

(l) “processing”, in relation to fishing includes cleaning, beheading, filleting, shelling, peeling,

icing, freezing, canning, salting, smoking, cooking, pickling, drying and otherwise preparing or
preserving fish by any other method;

(m) “specified ports” means such ports as the Central Government may, by notification in the

Official Gazette, specify for the purposes of this Act;

(n) “territorial waters of India” means the territorial waters of India in accordance with the

provisions of section 3 of the Territorial Waters Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and
other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (80 of 1976);

(o) “vessel” includes any ship, boat, sailing vessel or other description of vessel.

CHAPTER II

REGULATION OF FISHING BY FOREIGN VESSELS

**3. Prohibition of fishing in maritime zones of India by foreign vessels.—Subject to the provisions**

of this Act, no foreign vessel shall, except under and in accordance with—

(a) a licence granted under section 4; or

(b) a permit granted under section 5,

by the Central Government, be used for fishing within any maritime zone of India.

**4. Grant of licences.—(1) The owner of a foreign vessel or any other person [not being in either**

case any person to whom any of the descriptions specified in sub-items (1) to (3) of item (i) of
sub-clause (II) of clause (e) of section 2 applies] who intends to use such vessel for fishing within any
maritime zone of India, may make an application to the Central Government for the grant of a licence.

(2) Every application under sub-section (1) shall be in such form and shall be accompanied by such

fees as may be prescribed.

(3) No licence shall be granted unless the Central Government, having regard to such matters as may

be prescribed in the public interest in this behalf and after making such inquiry in respect of such other
matters as may be relevant, is satisfied that the licence may be granted.

(4) Every order granting or rejecting an application for the issue of a licence shall be in writing.

(5) A licence granted under this section—

(a) shall be in such form as may be prescribed;

(b) shall be valid for such areas, for such period, for such method of fishing and for such purposes

as may be specified therein;

(c) may be renewed from time to time; and

(d) shall be subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed and to such additional

conditions and restrictions as may be specified therein.

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(6) A person holding a licence under this section shall ensure that every person employed by him

complies, in the course of such employment, with the provisions of this Act, or any rule or order made
thereunder and the conditions of such licence.

**5. Prohibition of fishing by Indian citizens, etc., using foreign vessels.—(1) Every Indian citizen**

and every person to whom any of the descriptions specified in sub-item (2) or (3) of item (i) of
sub-clause (II) of clause (e) of section 2 applies, who intends to use any foreign vessel for fishing within
any maritime zone of India, may make an application to the Central Government for a permit to use such
vessel for such purpose.

(2) Every application under sub-section (1) shall be made in such form and shall be accompanied by

such fees as may be prescribed.

(3) No permit shall be granted unless the Central Government, having regard to such matters as may

be prescribed in the public interest in this behalf and after making such inquiry in respect of such other
matters as may be relevant, is satisfied that the permit may be granted.

(4) Every order granting or rejecting an application for the grant of such permit shall be in writing.

(5) A permit granted under this section—

(a) shall be in such form as may be prescribed;

(b) shall be valid for such areas, for such period, for such method of fishing and for such purposes

as may be specified therein;

(c) may be renewed from time to time; and

(d) shall be subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed and to such additional

conditions and restrictions as may be specified therein.

(6) A person holding a permit under this section shall ensure that every person employed by him

complies, in the course of such employment, with the provisions of this Act or any rule or order made
thereunder and the conditions of such permit.

(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions of this section, or in section 3,

any permission granted to an Indian citizen to use or employ foreign fishing vessels in any maritime zone
of India and in force immediately before the commencement of this Act shall, if the terms and conditions
of such permission are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, be deemed to be a permit granted
under this section and such permission shall continue to be in force after such commencement on the
same terms and conditions, including the conditions as to the area of operation and the period of its
validity, and the provisions of this Act shall, so far as may be, apply to such permission.

**6. Cancellation or suspension of licence or permit.—(1) The Central Government may, if there is**

any reasonable cause to believe that the holder of any licence or permit has made any statement in, or in
relation to, any application for the grant or renewal of such licence or permit which is incorrect or false in
material particulars or has contravened any of the provisions of this Act or any rule or order made
thereunder or of the provisions of any licence or permit or any conditions or restrictions specified therein,
suspend such licence or permit, as the case may be, pending the completion of any inquiry against such
holder for making such incorrect or false statement or for such contravention, as the case may be.

(2) Where the Central Government is satisfied, after making such inquiry as is necessary, that the

holder of any licence or permit has made such incorrect or false statement as is referred to in
sub-section (1) or has contravened the provisions of this Act, rule or order made thereunder or of the
provisions of any licence or permit or any conditions or restrictions specified therein, it may, without
prejudice to any other penalty to which such holder may be liable under the provisions of this Act, cancel
such licence or permit, as the case may be.

(3) Every person whose licence or permit has been suspended under sub-section (1) shall,

immediately after such suspension, stop using the foreign fishing vessel in respect of which such licence
or permit is given and shall not resume such fishing until the order of suspension has been revoked.

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(4) Every holder of a licence or permit which is suspended or cancelled shall, immediately after such

suspension or cancellation, surrender such licence or permit, as the case may be, to the Central
Government.

**7. Foreign vessel entering maritime zones of India without licence or permit to stow**

**gear.—Where any foreign vessel enters any maritime zone of India without a valid licence or permit**
granted under this Act, the fishing gear, if any, of such vessel shall, at all times while it is in such zone, be
kept stowed in the prescribed manner.

**8. Fishing for scientific research, investigation, etc.—Notwithstanding anything contained in**

section 3, the Central Government may, in writing, permit a foreign vessel to be used for fishing within
any maritime zone of India for the purpose of carrying out any scientific research or investigation or for
any experimental fishing in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be prescribed.

CHAPTER III

POWERS OF SEARCH AND SEIZURE

**9. Authorised officers and their powers.—(1) Any officer of the Coast Guard constituted under the**

Coast Guard Act, 1978 (30 of 1978), or such other officer of Government as may be authorised by the
Central Government may, for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not the requirements of this Act have
been complied with, either with or without a warrant,—

(a) stop or board a foreign vessel in any maritime zone of India and search such vessel for fish

and for equipment used or capable of being used for fishing;

(b) require the master of such vessel to produce—

(i) any licence, permit, log book or other document relating to the vessel and examine or take

copies of such licence, permit, log book or document;

(ii) any catch, net, fishing gear or other equipment on board such vessel or belonging to the

vessel and examine such fish, net, gear or equipment;

(c) make such inquiries as may be necessary to ascertain whether any offence under this Act has

been committed.

(2) Where the officer referred to in sub-section (1) (hereinafter referred to as authorised officer) has

reason to believe that any foreign vessel has been, is being, or is about to be, used for committing an
offence under this Act, he may, with or without a warrant,—

(a) seize and detain such vessel, including any fishing gear, fish equipment, stores or cargo found

on board such vessel or belonging to the vessel, and seize and detain any fishing gear abandoned by
the vessel;

(b) require the master of the vessel so seized or detained to bring such vessel to any specified

port;

(c) arrest any person who, such officer has reason to believe, has committed such an offence.

(3) In taking any action under sub-section (2), the authorised officer may use such force as may be

reasonably necessary.

(4) Where any vessel or other things are seized, or any person has been arrested, under

sub-section (2),—

(a) the vessel or other things so seized shall, as soon as possible, be produced before a Magistrate

competent to try an offence under this Act who shall make such order as he may deem fit for the
retention or custody of such vessel or things with Government or with any other authority pending the
completion of any proceedings for the prosecution of any offence under this Act or for its use by such
authority during such retention or custody on such terms and conditions as the Magistrate may think
fit to impose:

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Provided that the Magistrate may, on an application made by the owner or master of such vessel

in the prescribed form, order the release of the vessel or other things so seized on the owner or master
furnishing security in the form of cash or a bank guarantee for an amount not less than fifty per cent.
of the value of the vessel or things so seized:

Provided further that where any fish so seized is subject to deterioration, the Magistrate may

authorise the sale of such fish and the depositing of the proceeds of such sale in Court;

(b) the arrested person shall, as soon as possible, be informed of the grounds for such arrest and

he shall, without unnecessary delay, be produced before such Magistrate; and

(c) the Central Government shall be informed of such seizure or arrest and the details thereof.

(5) Where, in pursuance of the commission of any offence under this Act, any foreign vessel is

pursued beyond the limits of the exclusive economic zone of India, the powers conferred on an authorised
officer by this section may be exercised beyond such limits in the circumstances and to the extent
recognised by international law and State practice.

CHAPTER IV

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

**10. Penalty for contravention of section 3.—Where any foreign vessel is used in contravention of**

the provisions of section 3, the owner or master of such vessel shall,—

(a) in a case where such contravention takes place in any area within the territorial waters of

India, be punishable with imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or with fine not
exceeding rupees fifteen lakhs or with both; and

(b) in a case where such contravention takes place in any area within the exclusive economic zone

of India, be punishable with fine not exceeding rupees ten lakhs.

**11. Penalty for contravention of licence.—Whoever contravenes the provisions of any licence shall**

be punishable with fine not exceeding rupees ten lakhs.

**12. Penalty for contravention of permit.—Whoever contravenes the provisions of any permit shall**

be punishable,—

(a) where such contravention relates to the area of operation or method of fishing specified in

such permit, with fine not exceeding rupees five lakhs; and

(b) in any other case, with fine not exceeding rupees fifty thousand.

**13. Confiscation of vessels, etc.—(1) Where any person is convicted of an offence under section 10**

or section 11 or section 12, the foreign vessel used in or in connection with the commission of the said
offence, together with its fishing gear, equipment, stores and cargo and any fish on board such ship or the
proceeds of the sale of any fish ordered to be sold under the second proviso to clause (a) of sub-section
(4) of section 9 shall also be liable to confiscation.

(2) The foreign vessel or other things confiscated under sub-section (1) shall vest in the Central

Government.

**14. Penalty for contravention of section 7.—Where any foreign vessel is found in any maritime**

zone of India in contravention of the provisions of section 7, the owner or master of such vessel shall be
punishable with fine not exceeding rupees five lakhs.

**15. Penalty for obstruction of authorised officers.—If any person—**

(a) intentionally obstructs any authorised officer in the exercise of any powers conferred under

this Act; or

(b) fails to afford reasonable facilities to the authorised officer or his assistants to board the vessel

or to provide for adequate security to such officer and assistants at the time of entry into the vessel or
when they are on board such vessel; or

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(c) fails to stop the vessel or produce the licence, permit, log book or other document or any fish,

net, fishing gear or other equipment on board such vessel, when required to do so by the authorised
officer,

he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine not
exceeding rupees fifty thousand or with both.

**16. Court to pass certain orders.—Where any person is convicted of an offence under this Act, the**

Court may, in addition to awarding any punishment, order that any costs incurred in connection with the
retention or custody of the vessel during the pendency of any proceedings for the prosecution of an
offence under this Act, as reduced by the amount, if any, realised out of the use of the vessel by the
authority with whom such vessel was retained or kept in custody, shall be payable by the person
convicted.

**17. 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 such

punishment provided in this Act 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 an 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 also 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 a 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.

CHAPTER V

MISCELLANEOUS

**18. Offences to be cognizable.—Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal**

Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1973), every offence punishable under this Act shall be cognizable.

**19. Cognizance and trial of offences.—(1) No Court shall take cognizance of any offence**

punishable under this Act except on a report in writing of the facts constituting such offence made by an
authorised officer.

(2) No Court inferior to that of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of the first class

shall try any offence under this Act.

**20. Magistrate’s power to impose enhanced penalties.—Notwithstanding anything contained in**

section 29 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), it shall be lawful for any Metropolitan
Magistrate or any Judicial Magistrate of the first class specially empowered by the State Government in
this behalf to pass any sentence authorised by this Act.

**21. Place of trial.—Any person committing an offence under this Act or any rules made thereunder**

may be tried for the offence in such place as the Central Government may, by general or special order,
published in the Official Gazette, direct in this behalf.

**22. Presumptions.—(1) Where any offence is alleged to have been committed under the provisions**

of this Act, the place of commission of such offence shall be presumed on the basis of the certified copy

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of the relevant entry in the log book or other official record of the vessel or aircraft which was used in
connection with the detection of the offence.

(2) Where any foreign vessel is found within any maritime zone of India and the fishing gear of such

vessel is not stowed in the prescribed manner or fish is found on board such vessel, it shall be presumed,
unless the contrary is proved, that the said vessel was used for fishing within that zone.

**23. Protection of action taken in good faith.—(1) No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding**

shall lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance
of the provisions of this Act.

(2) No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Government for any damage caused or likely

to be caused for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of the
provisions of this Act.

**24. Act to supplement other laws.—The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to and not in**

derogation of the provisions of any other law for the time being in force.

**25. Power to make rules.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,**

make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—

(a) the form in which an application for a licence or permit may be made and the fees that shall

accompany such application;

(b) the matters which may be taken into account in the granting of licences and permits;

(c) the form of licences and permits and the conditions and restrictions subject to which licences

and permits may be granted;

(d) the manner in which the fishing gear of a foreign vessel shall be kept stowed under section 7;

(e) the terms and conditions under which a foreign vessel may be permitted to be used for fishing

within any maritime zone of India for the purpose of carrying out any scientific research or
investigation or for any experimental fishing under section 8;

(f) the form in which an application may be made for releasing the vessel or other things seized

under the first proviso to clause (a) of sub-section (4) of section 9;

(g) any other matter which is required to be, or may be, prescribed.

(3) In making any rule under this section, the Central Government may provide that a contravention

thereof shall be punishable with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees.

(4) Every rule made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each

House of Parliament, 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, the rule shall thereafter 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.

**26. Removal of difficulties.—(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act,**

the Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions not
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as may appear to it to be necessary for removing the
difficulty :

Provided that no order shall be made under this section after the expiry of three years from the

commencement of this Act.

(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each

House of Parliament.

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