Prohibited fishing activities

(1) No person shall– (a) permit to be used, use or attempt to use any explosive, poison or other noxious substance for the purpose of killing, stunning, disabling or catching fish, or in any way rendering fish to be more easily caught; or (b) carry or have in his possession or control any explosive, poison or other noxious substance in circumstances indicating an intention to use such substance for any purpose referred to in paragraph (a). (2) A person who contravenes sub-section (1) commits an offence punishable in accordance with the (3) Any explosive, poison or other noxious substance found on board any vessel is presumed, unless the contrary is proved, to be intended for the purposes referred to in sub-section (1)(a). (4) No person shall land, sell, receive or possess any fish taken by any means in contravention of sub-section (1)(a), if the 22 person knows or ought reasonably to have known the fish to have been so taken. (5) A person who contravenes sub-section (4) commits an offence punishable in accordance with the Sanction (6) In any proceeding for any offence against this section, a certificate as to the cause or manner of death of or injury to, any fish, signed by the Director or any person authorised by him in writing is, until the contrary is proved, sufficient evidence as to the matters stated in the certificate. (7) In any proceedings for an offence against this section, the defendant must be given not less than 14 days' notice in writing of the intention to rely on a certificate under subsection (6). (8) No vessel shall be used for driftnet fishing activities on (9) No vessel which holds a valid registration issued pursuant to the laws of Belize shall engage in driftnet fishing activities on the high seas. (10) Where any fishing vessel is used in contravention of sub-sections (8) or (9), the owner, operator, and master thereof each commits a serious violation against this Act and shall be subject to disciplinary or pecuniary actions in accordance with the Sanction Regulations. (11) The finning of sharks by Belize flagged fishing vessels is strictly prohibited, and for this purpose, finning means the detachment of fins from the carcass of a shark and the subsequent discard of that carcass. (12) The operator of any vessel which contravenes sub- section (11) commits a serious violation against this Act and High Seas Fishing 23 shall be subject to disciplinary or pecuniary actions in accordance with the Sanction Regulations.