FISHERIES MANAGEMENT BILL PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS

The Fisheries Management Bill 2015 has passed through the committee of the whole House and in third reading with amendments.

The Bill seeks to make provisions for the conservation, management, development and sustainable use of fisheries and marine resources in the country.

It consists of 13 parts with 131 Sections covering 150 pages.

The new Act aims to monitor and control fishing vessels within and beyond the fisheries waters soon after it is gazetted.

It also seeks to repeal the Fisheries Act 1998 and make consequential amendments to the Provincial Government Act 1997 and the

Town and Country Planning Act.

It further seeks to prohibit drift netting activities.