Fisheries Act, 2020 (No. 40 of 2020). Country/Territory Bahamas Document type Legislation Date 2020 Source FAO, FAOLEX Original source Official Gazette No. 52(A), published on 31 December 2020. Long titleAn Act to provide for the regulation of the fisheries resources of The Bahamas; to provide for the long term conservation, management and sustainable development of fishery resources by the application of the precautionary and ecosystem approaches to enhance the livelihood of communities dependent on fishing and to meet the needs of future generations; to provide for licensing of commercial fishers and fishing vessels; to deter, prevent and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Bahamian fisheries waters ; to repeal the Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction And Conservation) Act, 1977 and for connected purposes. Subject Food & nutrition, Fisheries, Sea Keyword Animal health Aquaculture Artisanal fishing Authorization/permit Biodiversity Certification Community management Enforcement/compliance Cooperative/producer organization Data collection/reporting EIA Fish disease Fish products Fishery management and conservation Fishing area Fishing authorization Fishing gear/fishing method Fishing vessel Foreign fishing Framework law Genetically modified organism (GMO) Harbour High seas Inspection Institution Internal trade International trade Landing Marine fisheries Marine protected areas Maritime zone Monitoring Non-commercial fishing Offences/penalties Precautionary principle Protected fishing area Protection of environment Protection of species Public participation Registration Research Risk assessment/management Rural employment Seasons Special fund Sustainable use Territorial sea Transshipment Drugs Food security Protected area Geographical area Americas, Caribbean, Latin America and the Caribbean, North Atlantic, Small Island Developing States Entry into force notes This Act shall come into force on such date as appointed by the Minister by Notice in the Gazette. Abstract This Act lays down rules (a) to promote sustainable exploitation, sustainable use and long-term conservation, management and sustainable development of fisheries resources and the ecosystems that support them; (b) to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing and fishing related activities; (c) to prohibit the licensing of persons who are not citizens of The Bahamas and foreign fishing vessels within the commercial fishing sector; and (d) to use fisheries resources to achieve and promote food security, socio-economic development and employment, for the benefit of present and future generations of the people of The Bahamas and, in particular, the communities most closely connected with and reliant on fisheries resources. This Act applies (a) in relation to Bahamian fisheries waters: (i) to fishers and any other person engaged in fishing and fishing related activities, (ii) to fishing vessels licensed under this Act, (iii) to Bahamian flagged vessels, (iv) to foreign fishing vessels, or (v) to aircraft, or any other craft; (b) in relation to fishing for sedentary organisms, and fishing related activities on the high seas: to fishing vessels licensed under this Act or Bahamian flagged vessels; and (c) in relation to land, to vehicles, aircraft: processing facilities, export or import facilities or any other premises or place relating to fisheries or aquaculture. Full text English Website laws.bahamas.gov.bs References - Legislation Repeals Seal Fisheries (Crown Colonies and Protectorates) Orders in Council, 1913 (Cap. 242). Legislation | Bahamas | 1913 (1956) Keyword: Marine mammals Source: FAO, FAOLEX Whaling Industry (Regulation) Act (Newfoundland, Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories) Order, 1936 (Cap. 242). Legislation | Bahamas | 1936 Keyword: Marine mammals, Hunting authorization/permit, Offences/penalties, Protection of species Source: FAO, FAOLEX Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Act, 1977 (Cap. 244). Legislation | Bahamas | 1977 (1993) Keyword: Basic legislation, Marine fisheries, Fishery management and conservation, Enforcement/compliance, Maritime zone, Foreign fishing, Access right, Fishing authorization, Total allowable catch, Allocation/quota, Protected fishing area, Offences/penalties, Authorization/permit, EEZ-Exclusive Economic Zone, Continental shelf, Sovereignty Source: FAO, FAOLEX Agriculture and Fisheries Act (Cap. 242). Legislation | Bahamas | 1963 (1997) Keyword: Institution, Marine fisheries, Fishery management and conservation, Enforcement/compliance, Offences/penalties, Plant protection Source: FAO, FAOLEX Implemented by Fisheries (Seahorse) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 35 of 2022). Legislation | Bahamas | 2022 Keyword: Education, Fishery management and conservation, International trade, Landing, Marine fisheries, Authorization/permit, Protection of species, Research Source: FAO, FAOLEX