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Management and Development of Local Fisheries Act [51 MIRC Ch 3]

51 MIRC Ch.3


MARSHALL ISLANDS REVISED CODE 2004


TITLE 51 - MANAGEMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES


CHAPTER 3.


MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL FISHERIES


ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS


Section


§301. Short Title.
§302. Management and development of local fisheries.
§303. Duties of Local Government Councils in the management and development of fisheries.
§304. Powers of a Local Government Council in the management and development of fisheries.
§305. Establishment of a local fisheries committee.
§306. Designated local fishery.
§307. Fishery management plans.
§308. Local Government Council Fisheries Management Ordinance.
§309. Procedures for Fisheries Management Ordinances.
§310. Appeal to Mayor.
§311. Director’s participation in Local Government Council meetings.


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An Act to provide for the development and management of Local Fisheries.
[This Chapter codifies Part IV of P.L. 1997-60]


Commencement: 13 October 1997
Source: P.L. 1997-60


§301. Short Title.


This Chapter may be cited as the Management and Development of Local Fisheries Act.
[Short title supplied by Commissioner during codification.]


§302. Management and development of local fisheries.


(1) The Authority may take measures for the management and development of local fisheries including in internal waters and within five miles of the baseline from which the territorial sea of any atoll or island is measured.

(2) A Local Government Council may take measures for the management and development of local fisheries in its internal waters and within its waters up to five miles seaward of the baseline from which the territorial sea is measured, in accordance with this Title.

(3) Before any measures are taken pursuant to Subsection (1), the Director shall ensure that consultations are held with any Local Government Council affected by the proposed measures, and as appropriate convene public hearings.

(4) Each Local Government Council shall, as much as possible, cooperate in the development of local fisheries for the proper management and development of the fisheries resources for the benefit of the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

(5) Subject to Subsections (1) and (3), each Local Government Council shall be responsible for the management, development and sustainable use, in accordance with this Title, of the reef and inshore fisheries within its waters, extending up to five miles seaward from the baseline from which the territorial sea is measured. [P.L. 199 7-60, §43.]


§303. Duties of Local Government Councils in the management and development of fisheries.


(1) Each Local Government Council, in managing, developing and ensuring sustainable use of its waters, shall have the following duties:

§304. Powers of a Local Government Council in the management and development of fisheries.


(1) A Local Government Council shall have the following powers in respect of its waters, and shall exercise them consistently with fisheries management and development measures or policy adopted by the Authority, and in accordance with this Title and relevant laws:


(2) In exercising any of its powers, the Local Government Council shall first consult with the Director, who shall advise the Local Government Council if its proposed action is inconsistent with overall fisheries management or relevant laws or will be detrimental to any marine resource.

(3) If any Local Government Council in exercising any of its powers:

§306. Establishment of a local fisheries committee.


A Local Government Council may establish such local fisheries committee or other body as may be necessary to assist in carrying out its responsibilities under this Title. [P.L. 1997-60, §46.]


§306. Designated local fishery.


(1) A designated local fishery may be declared within the waters of a Local Government Council for purposes of delegating management responsibility to a Local Government Council in accordance with this Title.

(2) A fishery may, with the concurrence of the Local Government Council and the Authority, be declared a designated fishery in accordance with the following procedures.


(3) Notice of designation shall include, but is not limited to:

§307. Fishery management plan.


(1) A fishery management plan shall be prepared, with the assistance and advice of the Authority, for each designated local fishery and may be prepared for any other fishery in its waters by the relevant Local Government Council.


(2) A management plan shall include:


(3) In addition to the requirements in Subsection (2), a management plan may also include:

(4) In preparing a review of a management plan, the Local Government Council has a duty to consult with all those who may be directly affected including traditional leaders, fishers and holders of traditional rights.

(5) Each management plan, and each review, shall be submitted for approval to the Authority, and shall be implemented upon such approval in writing. [P.L. 1997-60, §48.]

§308. Local Government Council Fisheries Management Ordinance.


(1) A Local Government Council may adopt an Ordinance for management, development or sustainable use of a fishery in its waters, hereafter 'Fisheries Management Ordinance'.

(2) A Fisheries Management Ordinance may:

(g) provide for other matters consistent with the management plan. [P.L. 199 7-60, §49.]


§309. Procedures for Fisheries Management Ordinances.


(1) A Local Government Council intending to introduce a Fisheries Management Ordinance shall first consult with the Director or his designee and the Attorney-General or his designee to determine whether it is consistent with fisheries management of the Authority, and appropriate for the fishery and marine environment.

(2) The Director and the Attorney-General or their respective designees shall be invited to any public hearings which may be held by the Local Government Council prior to its deliberations.

(3) The proposed Ordinance and recommendations of the Director and Attorney-General shall be submitted to the Local Government Council for approval, which shall only be given upon the recommendation of the Attorney-General and Director. [P.L. 1997-60, §50.]

§310. Appeal to Mayor.


(1) Any person who is affected by any decision of a Local Government Council may appeal to the Mayor in writing within 30 days of the date of that decision.


(2) The Mayor shall, after consultation with the Local Government Council:


(a) confirm, alter or reverse such decision;


(b) inform, in writing, the Local Government Council of his decision and the effective date of that decision within 30 days of receiving the appeal. [P.L. 1997-60, §51.]

§311. Director’s participation in Local Government Council meetings.


(1) The Director or his designee, or any Fisheries Officer shall be entitled to advise any Local Government Council and address any meeting of a Local Government Council.

(2) The Director may require a Local Government Council to convene a meeting of any of its members in order that he or his designee may address the members at a place, time and date as he may specify.

(3) Each Local Government Council shall:

(b) transmit to the Director copies of any resolutions, notices, declarations or other decisions taken in relation to fisheries management and development Agencies. [P.L. 1997-60 § 52.]


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