Marine Fisheries Bill, 2020 passed

The Parliament today passed a Bill titled "Marine Fisheries Bill, 2020' with a provision for maximum three-year imprisonment or Tk 5 crore fine or both for fishing illegally within Bangladesh's maritime boundary by any foreign national.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim placed the bill in Jatiya Sangsad which was passed by voice vote.

There are 12 chapters and 63 clauses in the proposed law which will replace the Marine Fisheries Ordinance that was promulgated during the military regime and later scrapped by the High Court.

As per the existing law, the punishment for illegal fishing by any foreign national in the country's water is three years of imprisonment or Tk 1 lakh fine, or both.

According to the proposed law, the government will define the shape of the fishing boat or trawlers.

These trawlers will have to take licences before fishing.

Currently, licences are given for one year while the proposed law increased it to two years to reduce the hassle and harassment of trawler or boat owners.

The bill has also defined the import of commercial trawlers, its specification and safety measurements.

The proposed law has also enabled judicial magistrates or mobile courts to punish violators.

For obstructing any official job, damaging fishing trawlers and destroying proof, the punishment will be maximum two years of imprisonment or Tk 10 lakh fine depending on the nature of the crime.

The existing punishment is three years of imprisonment and Tk 5,000 to Tk 1 lakh in fine.

Fishing during a restricted time or in restricted area, and fishing without approval for going to sea, will be considered as punishable offences under the proposed law.

JS PASSES FISH AND FISH PRODUCTS BILL

Parliament also passed a Bill titled "Fish and Fish Products (Inspection and Quality Control) Bill, 2020" aimed at ensuring tougher punishment for marketing and exporting fish or fish products with harmful chemicals.

The fisheries and livestock minister placed the Bill in the House which was passed by voice vote.

The punishment for violation of the law is maximum seven years imprisonment, Tk 5 lakh fine or both.

According to the existing Fish and Fish Products (Inspection and Quality Control) Ordinance, 1983, the maximum punishment is six months' imprisonment, Tk 5,000 fine or both.

As per the Bill, no one can export fish and fish products, set up or run a factory or any establishment in this regard without having a licence.

Licences can be revoked on different grounds, including violation of conditions mentioned, providing false information or concealing information, failure of renewing licence for three consecutive years, and handing over and selling the licence, according to the proposed law.

If the inspection officer finds unhygienic environment in factories or establishment or sub-standard quality of processing during inspection, the administrative penalty would be maximum Tk 5 lakh fine.