Law No. 1/74 relating to Fishing in the lagoons of Maldives (enacted 1374 Hejira, amended by laws 19 of 1971 and 22 of 1975)

Law N° 1/74 relating to Fishing in the Lagoons of Maldives (enacted 1374 Hejira, amended by Laws 19 of 1971 and 22 of 1975) Article 1. - Fishing shall be conducted in the lagoon of an inhabited island by the people of another island after obtaining permission from the office of that island. Similarly, fishing shall be conducted in an uninhabited island after obtaining the permission of the person or persons in charge of that island. Article 2. - If the lagoon of an inhabited island extends to an unusually large area the Atoll Chief in consultation with the Department of Fisheries, may demarcate a certain portion of the lagoon for common fishing. Article 3. - If the lagoon of an uninhabited island is longer than 3000 feet from the shore of that island to the reef, the Atoll Chief in consultation with the Department of Fisheries, may demarcate a distance of 2000 feet from the shore and leave the area beyond it for common fishing. Article 4. - If the people of an island or islands together prepares an enclosure for fishing in a lagoon, and during the period of fishing in the enclosure, the people of another island shall not fish within the enclosure in that lagoon without the permission of the party ii charge of the enclosure. Article 5. - If the inhabitants of an island or islands wish to make a temporary enclosure in a lagoon without an island, they shall obtain permission from the Atoll Chief and they shall register at the Atoll Office, one party in charge of the enclosure and the season during which fishing would be conducted in the enclosure. Article 6. - If the people of an atoll visits another atoll for the purpose of lagoon fishing, they shall conduct their fishing in that atoll after obtaining the permission from the said atoll's office. Article 6. - Collecting bait for fishing shall be exempted from the provisions mentioned in this law.