Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959

Chapter II.

Provisions applicable to exclusive fishery limits of the State.

Restrictions on foreign sea fishing boats entering the exclusive fishery limits of the State.

221.—(1) It shall not be lawful for any foreign sea-fishing boat to enter within the exclusive fishery limits of the State except for—

(a) a purpose recognised by international law, or

(b) a purpose recognised by any convention, treaty or arrangement for the time being in force between the State and the country to which such boat belongs, or

(c) any other lawful purpose.

(2) If any foreign sea-fishing boat enters within the exclusive fishery limits of the State in contravention of subsection (1) of this section, the master of such boat shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof, in the case of a first offence under this section, to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds and, in the case of a second or any subsequent offence under this section, to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds and (whether the offence is a first offence or not) the Court shall, in case any person on board such boat had fished or attempted to fish while such boat was within such exclusive fishery limits, and may, in any other case, order any fish and fishing gear found on such boat to be forfeited.