Prohibited Fishing Gears and Stowage

(1) No person shall use for fishing or have on board a Belize flagged vessel on the high seas– (a) any net, the mesh size of which does not conform to the minimum mesh size for that type of net that is required or prescribed pursuant to this Act; (b) any fishing gear which does not conform to standards required pursuant to this Act for that type of fishing gear; (c) any fishing gear which is prohibited by this Act, including without limitation a driftnet. (2) Any person who contravenes sub-section (1) commits a serious violation against this Act and shall be punished in accordance with the Sanction Regulations. (3) All fishing gear on board any fishing vessel in any place on the high seas where it is not permitted to fish or which has taken its allocation of fish, shall be stowed in such a manner that it is not readily available for use for fishing or as may be prescribed. (4) The operator of any fishing vessel used in contravention of sub-section (1) commits an offence and shall be subject to disciplinary or pecuniary penalties in accordance with the Sanction Regulations. 24 Fishing licences