Stowage of fishing gear

(1) The fishing gear of any fishing vessel which does not have permission to fish in the fisheries waters or fishing areas, shall at all times keep its fishing gear securely stowed so as not to be readily available for use. (2) Where a fishing vessel is licensed to fish by means of a particular type of fishing gear in any specific area of the fisheries waters, any other fishing gear on board the vessel shall be stowed while the vessel is within that area and all fishing gear on board the vessel shall be stowed while the vessel is or within any other area of the fisheries waters where it is not licensed to fish. (3) Where a local fishing vessel contravenes sub-section (1) or (2), the master, owner and charterer of that vessel is each committing an offence, and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not less than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars, or to imprisonment for a term not less than six months nor more than one year, or to both fine and imprisonment. (4) Where a foreign fishing vessel contravenes sub-section (1) or (2), the master, owner and charterer of that vessel is each committing an offence, and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not less than five thousand dollars nor more than two Fisheries Resources [CAP. 210 49 hundred thousand dollars, or to imprisonment for a term not less than one year nor more than two years, or to both fine and imprisonment.