Fisheries and Marine Resources (Conservation of Sharks) Regulations 2021.Government Notice No. 315 of 2021

LEGAL SUPPLEMENT 2689 to the Government Gazette of Mauritius No. 185 of 24 December 2021 Nushrat / Imac02 / Govt Notices / 2021 / The Fisheries and Marine Resources (Conservation of Sharks) Regulations 2021 13.12.2021 - 1st Proof Ministry and SLO 2nd Proof SLO Government Notice No. 315 of 2021 THE FISHERIES AND MARINE RESOURCES ACT Regulations made by the Minister under section 74(1)(f) of the Fisheries and Marine Resources Act 1. These regulations may be cited as the Fisheries and Marine Resources (Conservation of Sharks) Regulations 2021. 2. In these regulations – “Act” means the Fisheries and Marine Resources Act; “territorial sea” has the same meaning as in the Maritime Zones Act; “la trempe requin” means a gear which is made up of – (a) a line which may be of – (i) nylon or other monofilament of a diameter of at least 3 millimetres; (ii) maru rope with steel wire leaders of a diameter of at least 3 millimetres; and (iii) a length of at least one metre; (b) a hook of forged steel of a size of at least 9/0; and (c) a buoy which is pressure resistant float; “maritime zones” has the same meaning as in the Maritime Zones Act; “shark” means any species of elasmobranch fishes of the order Plagiostomi; “vessel” means any vessel, ship, carrier vessel or any other craft, other than a boat. 2690 Government Notices 2021 Nushrat / Imac02 / Govt Notices / 2021 / The Fisheries and Marine Resources (Conservation of Sharks) Regulations 2021 13.12.2021 - 1st Proof Ministry and SLO 2nd Proof SLO 3. The Permanent Secretary may authorise a person to conduct, for the purpose of research, the fishing of sharks and collection of any biological sample of sharks, on such terms and conditions as the Permanent Secretary may determine. 4. Subject to regulation 3, no person shall – (a) in the territorial sea of the Republic of Mauritius – (i) fish for sharks; (ii) set a bait, trap or baited implement for the purpose of attracting sharks; or (iii) place or have in his possession a la trempe requin; (b) fin, gut or gill a shark; (c) harm or kill a shark which has been caught and could reasonably have been released live into the sea; or (d) have in his possession a la trempe requin. 5. (1) Where a person catches a live shark in the territorial sea, that person shall – (a) forthwith release the shark live in the sea; and (b) the same day, on arrival at the nearest fisheries post, provide – (i) the date, time and location of the catch; (ii) the species of shark caught, if known; (iii) the circumstances of the catch; and (iv) the observed state of the shark after the catch. Government Notices 2021 2691 Nushrat / Imac02 / Govt Notices / 2021 / The Fisheries and Marine Resources (Conservation of Sharks) Regulations 2021 13.12.2021 - 1st Proof Ministry and SLO 2nd Proof SLO Nushrat / Imac02 / Govt Notices / 2021 / The Fisheries and Marine Resources (Conservation of Sharks) Regulations 2021 13.12.2021 - 1st Proof Ministry and SLO 2nd Proof SLO (2) Where the master or operator of a vessel catches a shark in a maritime zone shall, on arrival at the first landing port, forthwith produce the shark and provide the following information – (a) the date, time and location of the catch; (b) the species of shark caught, if known; (c) the circumstances of the catch; and (d) the observed state of the shark after the catch. 6. Any person who contravenes these regulations shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of not less than 5,000 rupees and not exceeding 10,000 rupees. 7. These regulations shall come into operation on 6 December 2021. Made by the Minister on 6 December 2021.