Chapter 1 General Principles
Article 1
This Act is enacted to conserve and rationally utilize aquatic
resources, to increase fisheries productivity, to promote sound
fisheries development, to guide and assist the recreational
fishery, to maintain the orderly operation of the fisheries,
and to improve the livelihood of fishermen. Matters not covered
by this Act shall be governed by the provisions of other acts
and regulations.
Article 2
For the purpose of this Act, the term “competent authority”
or "competent authorities" means the Council of Agriculture of
the Executive Yuan at the central government, municipal
governments at municipalities, and county/city governments at
/counties/cities.
Article 3
For the purpose of this Act, the term “fishery” or “fisheries”
means the industries of catching/harvesting, or of cultivating
aquatic organisms, as well as the associated industries of
processing, transportation, and marketing.
Article 4
For the purpose of this Act, the term “fishery operator” means
the fishing right holders, the fisheries access privilege
holders, or any other persons who engage in fisheries operation
in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
For the purpose of this Act, the term “fishery employee” means
any crew members of fishing vessels or any other persons who
catch/harvest, or cultivate aquatic organisms for any fishery
operator.
Article 5
Only nationals of the Republic of China may qualify as fishery
operators. However, such limit is not applicable to any foreign
national approved by the central competent authority to operate
fisheries by means of cooperation with any fishery operator of
the Republic of China.
Article 6
Any person who intends to operate fishery in the public waters
or non-public waters adjacent thereto shall obtain approval
given and fishing license issued by the competent authority
prior to the operation.
Article 7
The competent authority may collect fees from applicants for the
issuance of fishing licenses. The guidelines of granting
license and the amount of the fees shall be prescribed by the
central competent authority.
Article 7-1
The competent authorities shall not issue fishing licenses in
the event that any of the following circumstances occurs:
(1) Any fishery operator whose fishing license has been revoked
or abolished by the competent authority in accordance with this
Act or the Act for Distant Water Fisheries.
(2) Any vessel that is forfeited or confiscated.
(3) Any vessel that is imported without permission from the
competent authority.
(4) Any fishery operator who is presently restrained or
suspended the right to operate any fishery in accordance with
Article 10 of this Act.
(5) Any fishery operator whose fishing license is under the
administrative disposition of suspension in accordance with this
Act or the Act for Distant Water Fisheries.
(6) Any fishery operator who has not paid the fine in
accordance with this Act or the Act for Distant Water Fisheries.
(7) Any fishing vessel whose previous fishery operator
violates this Act or the Act for Distant Water Fisheries before
the alteration of vessel ownership takes place, but who has not
yet been imposed punishment by the competent authorities.
Article 8
The building, modification, or chartering of any fishing vessel
used by a fishery operator for the fishery operation shall
obtain permission from the competent authority.
The exportation or importation of any fishing vessel shall
obtain permission from the competent authority before being
processed in accordance with regulations provided by the
competent trade authorities.
The qualifications, conditions, application procedure and any
other standards to be followed for the building, modification or
chartering of any fishing vessel as referred to in paragraph 1,
and the rights of exportation and importation as referred to in
the preceding paragraph, shall be prescribed by the central
competent authority.
Article 9
For the purposes of exploiting or conserving aquatic resources,
or for the need of public interests, the competent authority
may impose restrictions or conditions when giving approval to
any fishery operation.
Article 10
Any fishery operator who violates the provisions of this Act or
any other regulations promulgated pursuant to this Act, the
central competent authority may restrain or suspend the
operator’s right to operate any fishery, or render
administrative disposition of suspending his/her fishing license
for not more than one year. Where the violation is considered
gross, the central competent authority may withdraw the approval
of the fishery operation or revoke the fishing license of the
fishery operator.
Any fishery employee who violates this Act or any other
regulations promulgated pursuant to this Act, the central
competent authority may suspend the Certificate of Fishing
Vessel Officer or Fishing Vessel Crew Identification for not
more than one year. Where the violation is considered gross, the
central competent authority may revoke the Certificate of
Fishing Vessel Officer or Fishing Vessel Crew Identification.
Article 11
Where any of the following circumstances occurs, the competent
authority shall revoke the approval of the fishery operation:
(1) Any fishery operator who does not have any justification for
not being able to undertake his/her fishery operation for more
than one year as from the date of approval was given, or who
suspends his/her fishery operation for more than two years
without being approved from the commencement of the operation.
(2) Any fishery operator who applies and is approved to operate
fishery as a national of the Republic of China loses his
nationality of the Republic of China.
(3) Any applicant who obtains the approval of the fishery
operation by fraud or illicit means.
Without stating justification and being approved by the
competent authority, any fishery operator shall not suspend his
fishery operation for more than one year. When the suspension
ceases, the operator shall report the resumption of fishery
operation to the competent authority for perusal. Any unreported
case shall be considered as not resumed.
Article 11-1
Any fishery operator’s fishing vessel whose fishing license or
approval of fishery operation has been revoked, shall not leave
port, except those have re-applied and been granted for fishing
license by the competent authorities.
Any fishery operator’s fishing vessel, whose fishing license has
been suspended or the right to operate fishery has been
restrained or suspended, shall not leave port during the period
of such administrative disposition.
Where any fishing vessel has left port before the punishment
imposed by the central competent authority pursuant to Article
10, paragraph 1 or Article 11, paragraph 1, or leaving port in
violation of the provisions of the preceding two Paragraphs, the
central competent authority shall command the vessel to return
to port within the designated time limit.
Where any fishing vessel leaving port in violation of the
provisions of paragraph 1 or 2, the central competent authority
may commission the authority of Coast Guard to take appropriate
measures to prevent the vessel from leaving port or command it
to return to port immediately; In case of any resistance, the
authority may take compulsory measures.
Article 12
For the purposes of maintaining the orderly operation of fishing
vessels and safety of navigation and operation, the central
competent authority shall prescribe regulations on the
management of crew members of fishing vessels.
Article 13
For the purposes of adjusting the fisheries structure, the
competent authority may establish a fisheries advisory
committee, which consists of experts, scholars, fisheries
associations, and officials from relevant government agencies.
The fisheries advisory committee shall be organized,
functioned, and operated in accordance with regulations
prescribed by the central competent authority.
Article 14
The competent authority shall, by the types of fishery,
respectively adopt and promulgate regulations on the facilities
of fishing grounds, methods of catching, harvesting and
cultivating, as well as on fishing gears and any other matters
as deemed necessary.
Chapter 2 Fishing Right Fishery
Article 15
For the purpose of this Act, the term “fishing right” means any
of the following rights:
(1) Set net fishing right: the right to set up underwater rocky
cliffs, build fences or install fishing gears within a specific
water area for catching or harvesting aquatic animals.
(2) Demarcated fishing right: the right to partition a specific
water area for operating aquaculture.
(3) Exclusive fishing right: the right to use a specific water
area to form a fishing ground for fisheries access privilege
holders to operate one of the following fisheries:
(a) Catching or harvesting aquatic organisms.
(b) Aquaculture.
(c) Catching or harvesting aquatic animals with anchored fishing
gears within the waters at a depth of twenty-five meters or
less.
Only fishermen’s associations or fisheries production
cooperatives can qualify as exclusive fishing right holders as
referred to in the preceding paragraph.
Article 16
For the purpose of this Act, the term “fisheries access
privilege” means the right to operate fishery within the area of
the authorization of exclusive fishing right.
Article 17
The competent authority shall, according to the production of
fishery resources and taking into account minerals exploration
and exploitation, navigation, irrigation, environmental
protection, and other public interests, make an integrated plan
with respect to the fishing right fishery in public waters and
shall elaborate and regularly publicize relevant programs
annually, as well as accept applications for fishing rights.
The programs as referred to in the preceding paragraph may be
revised according to practical needs, and the revision shall be
promulgated.
Article 18
Set net and demarcated fishing rights shall be granted in
accordance with the following order of priority:
(1) Any fishery operator or fishery employee whose household
registered in the township/town /city /district where the
fishing ground is located.
(2) Any fishermen’s association or fishery production
cooperative registered in the township /town /city /district
where the fishing ground is located.
(3) Any fishery operator or fishery employee whose household
registered in the municipality /county /city where the fishing
ground is located.
(4) Any fishermen’s association or fishery production
cooperative registered in the municipality/county/city where the
fishing ground is located.
(5) Any non-fishery operator or non-fishery employee whose
household registered in township town/city/district where the
fishing ground is located.
(6) Any non-fishery operator or non-fishery employee whose
household registered in municipality/county/city where the
fishing ground is located.
(7) Any fishery operator or fishery employee whose household
registered in other municipalities/counties/cities.
(8) Any non-fishery operator or non-fishery employee whose
household registered in other municipalities/counties/cities.
Any fishery operator applying for continuous operation before
the expiration of his fishing right shall not be subject to
limit of the order of priority as referred to in the preceding
paragraph.
Article 19
Any fishermen’s association or fishery production cooperative
approved to operate exclusive fishing right shall draft rules on
fisheries access and report to the competent authority for
approval.
Fisheries access undertaken by any non-member of fishermen’s
association or fishery production cooperative shall be concluded
by a contract separately.
Article 20
The fishing right shall be considered as a right in rem. Except
as this Act otherwise provides, the provisions of the rights in
rem of real property in the Civil Code shall, mutatis mutandis,
apply.
Article 21
The creation, acquirement, alternation, and loss of fishing
right will not effect until the recordation has been made.
In rendering administrative disposition pursuant to Articles 10,
11 and 29 regarding set net fishing right, demarcated fishing
right and exclusive fishing right, the competent authority shall
also register such administrative disposition to the respective
fishing right.
In processing the registration of fishing rights, the competent
authority may charge the applicant registration fees. The
regulations on registration and the amount of fees shall be
prescribed by the central competent authority.
Article 22
In matters regarding to fishing rights whose jurisdiction
residing in court for the place where the real property is
located, the place where the real property is located should
be the municipality or city/county whose coast closest to the
fishing ground.
Article 23
Exclusive fishing right shall not be the subject of any other
rights or juridical acts other than entitling the holders to
have fisheries access.
Article 24
Set net fishing right and demarcated fishing right shall not be
the subject of any other rights or juridical acts except for
succession, transfer, and mortgage.
Article 25
Unless approved by the competent authority, no mortgage shall be
created over the fishing right as referred to in the preceding
article, nor shall such right be transferred unless otherwise
arises out of a compulsory execution and the approval of the
competent authority has been duly granted.
A fishery operator or fishery employee shall be preferred to be
the transferee of the compulsory execution and the transfer as
referred to in the preceding paragraph.
Except as otherwise provided in a contract, the working articles
grounded within a fishing ground over which a mortgage has been
registered shall be deemed as the subject of the mortgage
created.
Article 26
Except as the competent authority otherwise approves, the
fishing right shall neither be merged nor subdivided.
Article 27
Unless consented by at least two-thirds of the other
joint-holders who hold their respective percentage shares, the
joint-holders of set net fishing right, demarcated fishing
right or fisheries access privilege shall in no event dispose of
their respective percentage shares.
The provision of the preceding paragraph shall, mutatis
mutandis, apply to the fishing right jointly held by public
bodies.
Article 28
The term of fishing rights shall be as follows:
(1) Set net fishing right: 5 years.
(2) Demarcated fishing right: 5 years.
(3) Exclusive fishing right: 10 years.
Upon the expiration of the term as referred to in the preceding
paragraph, the fishing right holder may be preferred to apply
for renewing the respective right.
Article 29
The competent authority may alter or revoke its approval to
fishing right or suspend the operation of any fishing right, if
any of the following circumstances occurs:
(1) Requirements of national defense.
(2) Economic utilization of land.
(3) Conservation of aquatic resources.
(4) Requirements of environmental protection.
(5) Navigation and anchorage of any vessel.
(6) Laying of underwater pipelines and cables.
(7) Exploration and exploitation of minerals.
(8)Requirements of other public interests.
Before rendering any administrative disposition as referred to
in the preceding paragraph, the competent authority shall
publicize such disposition in advance and notify all fishery
operators concerned.
Where the administrative disposition as referred to in paragraph
1, cause any loss to the fishery operator, the relevant
competent authority or the party claiming alteration,
revocation, or termination shall reconcile the operator to make
appropriate compensation for the losses. Should the
reconciliation fails, the central competent authority shall
decide the content of the compensation.
Article 30
The fishery access privilege shall not be the subject of other
rights or juridical acts except for succession and transfer.
Article 31
The term of a fishery access privilege that is not specified
shall be valid for a term as that of an exclusive fishing right.
Article 32
An exclusive fishing right holder may collect fishery access
fees from fishery access privilege holders. The amount of the
fees shall be enunciated in the rules or the contract of fishing
access.
Article 33
The fishing right holder may, with the consent of the land owner
or land user, utilize the land or limit the removal of bamboo,
timber, soil and stones from the land, if it is deemed necessary
for the followings:
(1) To build signs of the fishing ground.
(2) To build or maintain necessary signs within the fishing
ground.
(3) To build beacons or other necessary facilities relating to
fishing right.
Article 34
For the purposes of fisheries survey, site investigation, or the
building of facilities as referred to in any subparagraph of the
preceding article, the fishing right holder may, with the
consent of the land owner and land user, access to the land or
remove any obstruction from the land.
Article 35
If any of the circumstances as referred to in the preceding two
Articles is deemed as necessary but fails to obtain consent, the
fishing right holder may apply to the competent authority for
approval and take the said action after the approval is granted.
In case that approval is granted, the competent authority shall
publicize it and notify the said land owner and user. Any loss
incurred should be borne by the applicant through appropriate
compensation.
Chapter 3 Directed Fisheries
Article 36
For the purpose of this Act, the term “directed fishery” means
the fishery authorized by the competent authority for the use of
fishing vessels to catch or harvest aquatic organisms for
commercial purposes.
The authorizations of fishery operation as referred to in the
preceding paragraph shall include the types of fishery,
operating period and operating areas, and such items shall be
stipulated in the fishing license.
Article 37
The competent authority may impose restrictions on respective
directed fishery regarding the total number and tonnage of the
fishing vessels, operating areas, operating period and other
matters, if any of the following circumstances occurs:
(1) Conservation of aquatic resources.
(2) Adjustment of fisheries structure.
(3) Restriction of international fisheries agreements or
fisheries cooperation with foreign countries.
Article 38
Where the restrictions imposed in accordance with the provisions
of the preceding Article on the total number of fishing vessels
within respective directed fishery requires the reduction of the
approved number of fishing vessels, the fisheries association of
the particular directed fishery shall coordinate with the
operators for the reduction. The operators who continue their
operation shall compensate those who are restricted. Provided
that those fishing vessels imposed restrictions may operate
other types of fishery, no compensation needs to be given.
Should no coordination be reached, the competent authority shall
mediate between the relevant operators, and make a decision at
its discretion if such mediation fails.
Where the restrictions as referred to in the preceding paragraph
cause termination of the fishery operation and revocation of the
fishing license, the competent authority shall make appropriate
compensation accordingly.
Article 39 (deleted)
Article 39-1
Where a fishing vessel whose operating areas approved by the
central competent authority contain the high risk areas being
threaten by pirates or illegal armed force, the fishery operator
may hire privately contracted armed security provided by the
private maritime security corporations.
The fishery operator as referred to in the preceding paragraph
shall report to the central competent authority for perusal with
enclosure of relevant documents for each vessel. The central
competent authority shall forward such information to the
Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Finance, and Coast Guard
Administration of Executive Yuan.
The fishery operator shall request the employed privately
contracted armed security who is not a national of the Republic
of China to embark or disembark the vessel abroad with the
firearms, ammunitions or knifes possessed or used by him/her,
and shall not enter into the territory of the Republic of China
other than the fishing vessel that has been reported for
perusal to be safeguarded.
The high risk areas of threat as referred to in paragraph 1
shall be promulgated by the central competent authority.
The procedures of reporting for perusal, documents required to
be attached such as the fishing licenses, employment plan and
insurance plan, the regulations governing the management of
privately contracted armed security and the firearms,
ammunitions or knifes possessed or used by them, the record of
use and other requirements as addressed in paragraph 2, shall be
prescribed by the central competent authority.
The central competent authority shall integrally collect the
relevant information on private maritime security corporation
for reference to the fishery operator.
Article 40 (deleted)
Article 40-1 (deleted)
Article 40-2 (deleted)
Chapter 4 Recreational Fishery
Article 41
For the purpose of this Act, the term "recreational fishery"
means the fishery using fishing vessels for recreational
purposes, or for passengers to catch or harvest aquatic
organisms or to engage in sightseeing on the water or on islands
or islets.
Any fishery operator engaging in recreational fishery as
referred to in the preceding paragraph shall apply to the
competent authority and can only operate after the license is
granted.
The operating period of recreational fishery approved by the
competent authority shall not be more than five years, and shall
not exceed the validity period of vessel inspection and
insurance.
Any fishery operator as referred to in paragraph 2 intends to
continue its operation shall apply for the renewal of license at
least three months prior to its expiration.
The regulations on the application, alternation, abolishment,
renewal of fishing license for recreational fishery and other
matters should be recorded on the license as addressed in
paragraph 2, shall be prescribed by the central competent
authority.
Article 41-1
The inspection, measurement, certified passenger quota,
navigable waters, and other compliance matters of full-time or
part-time recreational fishing vessels, shall be subject to the
regulations prescribed by the shipping administration authority
on passenger ship and passenger small ship.
Any recreational fishing vessels shall not carry passengers in
excess of the passenger quota certified pursuant to the
preceding paragraph, and shall not carry passengers outside the
navigable waters specified pursuant to the preceding paragraph.
Article 41-2
Any fishery operator of recreational fishing vessel shall
subscribe to liability insurance in accordance with the amount
provided by the central competent authority, and shall subscribe
to insurance covering injuries to passengers.
The beneficiary of the insurance policy as referred to in the
preceding paragraph shall be limited to the insured party or
his/her legal heir(s), without being subject to Article 135 of
the Insurance Act applying mutatis mutandis to Article 105 and
Article 107 of the same act.
Upon expiry of the insurance as referred to in Paragraph 1, the
fishery operator shall obtain renewal.
Article 42
The recreational fishery operator shall obtain the consent of
the exclusive fishery right holder and comply with the rules
prescribed by the said holder prior to operate within the waters
covered by the exclusive fishing right. The exclusive fishing
right holder cannot withhold his consent without justification.
Article 43
Regulations governing the items of activities, methods of
catching or harvesting aquatic organisms, time limit of being
out at sea, operating areas, numbers of fishing vessel, tonnage
and length of fishing vessel, procedures on the entering and
leaving port for fishing vessels, qualifications of fishing
vessel officer or pilot, and other requirements, shall be
prescribed by the central competent authority.
Chapter 5 Conservation and Management
Article 44
For the purposes of resources management and fisheries structure
adjustment, the competent authority may promulgate regulations
on the following matters:
(1) Restriction or prohibition of the catching, harvesting, or
processing of aquatic organisms.
(2) Restriction or prohibition of the sale or possession of
aquatic organisms or the products made therefrom.
(3) Restriction or prohibition of the use of fishing gears and
fishing methods.
(4) Restriction or prohibition of fishing area and fishing
period.
(5) Restriction or removal of any object obstructing the
migratory routes of aquatic animals.
(6) Restriction or prohibition of placing or dumping of objects
harmful to aquatic organisms.
(7) Restriction or prohibition of placing or removal of
protective objects necessary for the propagation of aquatic
organisms.
(8) Restriction or prohibition of transplantation of aquatic
organisms.
(9) Other matters as deemed necessary.
Any fishery operator violating any provisions of subparagraph 4
to 9 of the preceding paragraph, shall be imposed with
administrative disposition by the authority that made the
promulgation.
The municipal or county (city) competent authorities shall
report to the central competent authority for approval prior to
any promulgation pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 1.
Article 45
For the purposes of conserving aquatic resources, the competent
authority may designate and establish on aquatic organisms
propagation and conservation zone.
The establishment of aquatic organisms propagation and the
conservation zones shall be subject to the approval of the
municipal competent authority. In the case of the county(city),
the competent authority shall submit a management plan of the
conservation zones to the central competent authority for
approval and promulgate the establishment after being approved.
In case of the establishment of conservation zone involving two
or more provinces (municipalities), it shall be reported to the
central competent authority for approval.
The municipal/county/city competent authority with jurisdiction
over the conservation zone shall be responsible for the
management of the conservation zone. Where the jurisdiction over
the waters on which the conservation zone established is
extended over two or more provinces/municipalities/counties/
cities or is not clear, the central competent authority shall
appoint an agency to manage the conservation zones.
Article 46
For the purposes of conserving aquatic resources, the
competent authority may undertake survey on respective directed
fishery regarding its catch volume, operation conditions and
sea conditions.
In undertaking the investigation as referred to in the
preceding paragraph, the competent authority may request the
fishery operator or fishery employee to submit a report on
catch volume, operation period, fishing gears, fishing methods
and other relevant reports. The fishery operator or the fishery
employee shall not refuse.
Article 47 (deleted)
Article 48
Aquatic organisms shall not be caught or harvested by the use
of:
(1) Toxic substances.
(2) Explosives or other dynamites
(3) Electricity or other narcotics.
The restrictions provided in the preceding paragraph shall not
apply to those for experimental and research purposes and with
permission from the central/municipal competent authority.
Article 49
The competent authority may designate officer(s) to the fishing
vessel, fishing grounds of the fishing right fishery, fish farms
of inland aquaculture or other relevant sites of the fishery
operator to inspect the operator’s catch, fishing gears, account
books, and other objects, as well as to question any relevant
party. The Coast Guard Administration may, pursuant to its
mandate, designate officer(s) to the fishing vessel of the
fishery operator for inspection and question any relevant party.
The relevant party shall not evade, obstruct or deny any of the
inspections.
In carrying out the inspection as referred to in the preceding
paragraph, where the officer finds any offense of crime
regarding fisheries but is not in the position to request the
judicial authority to proceed with search or attachment in time,
the officer may provisionally seize the fishing vessel, the
catch, or any other object that may serve as evidence of the
crime committed. In case that any other violation of the
provisions of this Act is found, the catch, the fishing gears
and other objects may be sealed.
The provisional seizure or seal undertaken in accordance with
the preceding paragraph shall be witnessed by any person in
charge of the fishing vessel or the site, or any other civil
servant. An inventory shall be made in respect of the objects
being provisionally seized or sealed.
After the provisional seizure conducted pursuant to paragraph 2,
the competent authority or the Coast Guard Administration shall
immediately contact the judicial authorities for search or
seizure and deliver the provisionally seized objects.
In carrying out the inspection, the officer as referred to in
paragraph 1 shall produce his/her identification and the
authorization specifying the scope of inspection. In case that
the officer fails to do so, the person to be inspected may
refuse such inspection.
Article 50
Where any dispute arises concerning the operation areas, fishing
grounds, or the methods of catching, or aquaculture, the
fishery operator may apply to the competent authority for
mediation.
Article 51
Where there are more than one fishing methods used within the
same fishing ground, the competent authority may, in
consultation with fishery operators, prescribe rules for
operation.
Chapter 6 Fishery Development
Article 52
For the purposes of facilitating accommodation of fisheries
fund, the competent authority shall, in consultation with the
authorities concerned, consult with financial institutions in
providing various fishery loans.
Whenever necessary, the financial and the fisheries competent
authorities may approve the establishment of fisheries financial
institutions.
Article 53
For the purposes of promoting fisheries investment and assuring
fisheries security, the competent authority shall coordinate
with the authorities concerned to conduct various fisheries
insurance programs, or shall designate fishermen’s associations
or consult with public or private insurance institutions to
undertake the programs.
Article 53-1
For the purposes of protecting fishermen's lives and property
safety, the competent authorities may prescribe regulations
regarding salvage operations for fishing vessels in maritime
distress, succors for fishermen and fishing vessels in distress,
awards to motor-powered vessel owners, and insurance to
fishermen in their sea operations.
Article 54
For the purposes of assuring fishery security and maintaining
the orderly operation within fishing areas, the competent
authority shall conduct the following matters:
(1) The construction and maintenance of fishing ports and
fisheries infrastructures.
(2) The disposition of patrol fleets to perform the duties of
salvage, patrol, and fishery protection.
(3) The establishment of fisheries radio broadcasting stations.
(4) The establishment of safety facilities such as beacons,
sign poles and weather forecasting systems.
(5) The prescription of regulations governing the operation of
fishing grounds and fishing vessels.
(6) The requisition to the Ministry of Defense and other
authorities concerned for necessary assistance and protection.
Article 55
The competent authority may provide awards or incentives to
those who have performed any of the following:
(1) Improving facilities which are conducive to fisheries safety
and salvage.
(2) Improving fishing vessels, fishing gears, fishing methods or
processing methods of fisheries products, with remarkable
result.
(3) Promoting fisheries education or conducting fisheries
research, with remarkable result.
(4) Exploiting fisheries resources which are conducive to
fisheries development.
(5) Any other performance with significant contribution to
fisheries development.
The regulations governing the awards and incentives as referred
to in the preceding paragraph shall be prescribed by the
central competent authority.
Article 56
For the purposes of promoting fisheries development, the
government shall establish fisheries development fund. The
competent authority shall propose the amount of the said fund to
the Executive Yuan for approval, and duly appropriate its budget
accordingly.
The Executive Yuan shall prescribe regulations governing the
incomes and expenditures, custody and utilization of the
fisheries development fund.
Article 57
For the purposes of coping with price fluctuation of fisheries
products and stabilizing the market of fisheries products, the
competent authority may take applicable guiding measures to
maintain the stabilization of price and sustainable development
of industries.
Article 58
Fishing vessels, fishing gears, or materials for fishing
imported for the purposes of fisheries production, shall be
exempted from or reduced from import duties in case such items
are not manufactured domestically or the quantity of those
domestically manufactured is insufficient to meet the demand.
Any item imported by fisheries research institutes for
experimental and research purposes shall be exempted from import
duties.
The Executive Yuan shall decide and promulgate those items
eligible for exemption or reduction of import duties and the
applicable criteria as referred to in the preceding paragraph.
Article 59
Fuel for powered equipment used in fisheries shall be exempted
from commodity tax. The Executive Yuan shall decide the
standard of preferential price of the fuel for powered equipment
used in fisheries.
Chapter 7 Penal Provisions
Article 60
Any person who violates the provisions of any subparagraph of
Article 48, paragraph 1 shall be subject to imprisonment for a
period of not exceeding five years, short-term imprisonment, or
in addition thereto a fine of not exceeding one hundred and
fifty thousand New Taiwan Dollars.
Any person who violates the rules promulgated by the competent
authority pursuant to subparagraph (1) and (2) of Article 44,
paragraph 1 shall be subject to imprisonment not exceeding three
years, short-term imprisonment, or in lieu thereof or in
addition thereto a fine of not exceeding one hundred and fifty
thousand New Taiwan Dollars.
Article 61
Any person who violates the rules on the restriction or
prohibition of fishing gears and fishing methods promulgated by
the competent authority pursuant to subparagraph (3) of Article
44, paragraph 1shall be subject to imprisonment not exceeding
six months, short-term imprisonment, or in lieu thereof or in
addition thereto a criminal fine of not exceeding thirty
thousand New Taiwan Dollars.
Article 62
Any person who undertakes any of the following activities shall
be liable to short-term imprisonment or in lieu thereof a fine
of not exceeding one hundred and fifty thousand New Taiwan
Dollars:
(1) Altering the fishing vessel’s name or the registration
number.
(2) Removing, vitiating, or destroying the signs on any fishing
grounds or fishing gears.
(3) Setting up fences, buildings, or any fishing gears to
obstruct the migratory routes of fish without permission.
Article 63
Where the representative of a juridical person, the agent or
employee of a juridical person or natural person, or any other
employee, in performing his duty, violates the provisions of
Articles 60 to 62, the offender shall be punished pursuant to
the provisions of the respective article. In addition thereto,
the relevant juridical person or natural person shall be imposed
with a fine for the amount as specified in the relevant
article.
Article 63-1 (deleted)
Article 63-2 (deleted)
Article 64
Any person who undertakes any of the following activities shall
be liable to a fine of between thirty thousand and three
hundred thousand New Taiwan Dollars:
(1) Operating fisheries in violation of the provisions of
Article 6.
(2) Violating the administrative disposition imposed by the
competent authority pursuant to Article 29, paragraph 1.
(3) Continuing to operate fisheries after his fishing license
has expired and application for renewal of the license has not
been duly approved.
(4) Not being inspected or measured pursuant to provisions of
Article 41-1, or carrying passengers in excess of the passenger
quota or outside the navigable waters as certified.
Article 64-1
Where any fishing vessel leaving port in violation of the
provisions of Article 11-1, paragraph 1 or 2, the fishery
operator or vessel owner shall be liable to a fine of between
sixty thousand and three hundred thousand New Taiwan Dollars.
Where any fishing vessel that does not return to port within the
designated time limit pursuant to Article 11-1, paragraph 3, the
fishery operator or vessel owner shall be liable to a fine of
between sixty thousand and three hundred thousand New Taiwan
Dollars, and the fine may be repeatedly imposed on a daily
basis.
Article 64-2
Any fisheries operator who undertakes any of the following
activities shall be liable to a fine of between sixty thousand
and three hundred thousand New Taiwan Dollars:
(1) Violating the provisions of Article 39-1, paragraph 2, for
hiring privately contracted armed security without reporting to
the central competent authority for perusal in advance.
(2) Violating the provisions of Article 39-1, paragraph 3, for
that the privately contracted armed security who is not a
national of the Republic of China and employed by the fishery
operator, does not embark or disembark the vessel abroad with
the firearms, ammunitions or knifes possessed or used by
him/her, or enters into the territory of the Republic of China
other than the fishing vessel that has been reported for perusal
to be safeguarded.
Article 65
Any person who undertakes any of the following activities shall
be liable to a fine of between thirty thousand and one hundred
and fifty thousand New Taiwan Dollars:
(1) Violating the restrictions or conditions imposed pursuant to
Article 9.
(2) Violating matters as promulgated pursuant to Article 14.
(3) Violating the provisions or restrictions pursuant to Article
36 or Article 37.
(4) Failing to apply for license pursuant to Article 41,
paragraph 2.
(5) Failing to renew the license and continuing to operate
recreational fisheries in violation of the provisions of Article
41, paragraph 4.
(6) Violating any of the provisions of subparagraph (4) to (9)
of Article 44, paragraph 1.
(7) Refusing, evading, or obstructing an inspection carried out
pursuant to Article 49, paragraph 1, or refusing to answer to
the officers’ queries without good cause or making false
statement.
(8) Violating the regulations prescribed pursuant to Article 54
subparagraph (5).
(9) Violating the orders issued by the competent authority
pursuant to this Act.
Article 66
Any person who undertakes any of the following activities shall
be liable to a fine of between fifteen thousand and
seventy-five thousand New Taiwan Dollars:
(1) Violating the provisions of Article 11, paragraph 2 in
suspending operation for more than one year without approval.
(2) Refusing, evading or obstructing the inspection carried out
pursuant to Article 46, paragraph 1, or violating the provisions
of Article 46, paragraph 2 by refusing to submit a report.
(3) Violating the rules for operation prescribed pursuant to
Article 51.
Article 67 (deleted)
Article 68
In addition to the punishment imposed pursuant to Article 64,
and Article 65, subparagraph (1) to (3), (6) to (8), the catches
caught or transshipped or the fishing gears involved may also be
confiscated, regardless of the ownership. In case the whole or
part of such catches or fishing gears cannot be confiscated, the
value of such catches or fishing gears shall be collected.
Chapter 8 Supplementary Provisions
Article 69
The regulations for registration and management of inland
aquaculture shall be prescribed by the municipal/county/city
competent authority.
The municipal/county/city competent authority may plan and set
up an aquaculture production area in which the environment is
appropriate for developing aquaculture or presently fish farms
concentrated. The regulations for the establishment and
management shall be prescribed by the central competent
authority.
Any aquatic organisms that involved in genetic breeding and
transference shall run prior field tests and safety assessments
before promotion and utilization. The regulations on the field
test and breeding management of genetic bred and transferred
aquatic organisms shall be prescribed by the central competent
authority.
Article 69-1
In the event that the Republic of China has signed fisheries
agreement (or arrangement) for the overlapping exclusive
economic zones with any neighboring country, any fishing vessel
and fisheries employee of that country operating in the area
within the agreement (or arrangement), shall comply with the
requirements of that agreement (or arrangement).
The requirements of the agreement (or arrangement) as referred
to in the preceding paragraph, shall be promulgated by the
central competent authority and published in the government
gazette.
Article 69-2
Starting from 1 January 2009 till this Act amended on 22 January
2015 becomes effective, during which the foreign crew members
were hired by fishery operators without obtaining national
health insurance cards, such foreign crew members are exempted
from Article 9 of the National Health Insurance Act.
Article 70
The central competent authority shall prescribe the enforcement
rules of this Act.
Article 71
This Act shall enter into force on the date of promulgation. For
Article 7-1, Article 39, Article 40, Article 40-1, Article 40-2,
Article 63-1, Article 63-2 and Article 68 amended on 5 July
2016, they shall enter into force six months after the
promulgation.
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