Ministry of Fishery and Maritime Affairs
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The Mount Vema Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, oversee a variety of government offices, and works in liaison with the Water Police and the Royal Mount Vema Coast Guard. Various divisions of the ministry are concerned with the nation's ports and port development plans, maritime shipping, fisheries, and the Vema Seamount marine environmental policies. The Ministry is also is charge of the country’s aquaculture projects, aiming to meet rigorous district, national and international environmental standards, based on the best available scientific research, to minimize and manage the risks associated with aquaculture operations.
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Fishing Licenses
Fishing Vessel Licences
A fishing vessel licence authorizes registered fishing vessels to fish in specified areas of the Vema Seamount Territory.
The licence enables the Mount Vema Fisheries Administrations to control fishing so that the Kingdom of Mount Vema does not exceed the quotas set by the Mount Vema Fisheries Policy. The licence allows Fisheries Administrations to set specific conditions and requirements, such as arrangements for the landings of stocks.
Who needs a licence
You need a licence if you are selling any of the catch from your vessel, even if you only sell any fish you do not want for yourself to friends or to a fishmonger.
However you will not need a fishing vessel licence if:
The vessel is 10 metres and under overall length and does not have an engine (that is, it only has oars or a sail);
The vessel is used wholly for the purposes of fishing for pleasure.
What happens if I fish without a licence?
Fishing vessels fishing without a licence within the Vema Seamount territorial waters are operating illegally if the fish are sold. Owners, masters and charterers of vessels caught fishing without a licence or who are not following the terms of their licence may be prosecuted. This could lead to fines of up to 250,000 golles for each offence and/or the forfeit of gear and/or fish on board.
In the case of joint ownership of a vessel, all owners are jointly liable for any offences committed by the vessel.
How do I get a licence?
No new fishing vessel licences are issued. If you wish to license a vessel for the first time you need to arrange for a transfer of a licence 'entitlement' from an existing licence holder. Contact (here) the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs for available licences (entitlements).
Available fishing licences may also be advertised from time to time for transfer. Fisheries Administrations do not get involved in commercial transactions, and although they can advise on suitable entitlements you are responsible for ensuring that entitlements you buy meet your requirements.
More detailed information about applying for a licence can be requested (here) 'Apply for a fishing licence'.
What type of licence will I need?
Different types of licence are required depending on the overall length of your vessel and the main fishing activity you wish to pursue. The Fishery Office will be able to tell you which type of licence you will need. The Fishery Office should also be able to advise of any restrictions on the use of licences in areas where stock recovery measures may be in place.
Vessels fall within two distinct groups determined by their overall length:
Group 1: For vessels over 10 metres overall length.
There are 3 main licence categories:
Category A: Category A stocks are those at greatest risk and are subject to quotas
Category B: Category B stocks are generally at less risk than Category A stocks, but are still subject to quotas
Category C: Category C stocks are not considered to be at immediate risk, and are generally not subject to quotas
Licences are valid for two years and run from 1 August until 31 July two years later.
Group 2: For vessels of 10 metres and under overall length
All vessels receive a Category A licence. These licences are valid for two years: from 1 August one year to 31 July two years later.
In addition to those main categories of licence, special licences are required for particular types of fishing and for certain minor fisheries where special access arrangements apply. The Fishery Office will be able to advise you what type of licence you need.
All licences are issued at the discretion of Ministers and can be revoked or varied at any time for the purposes of regulating sea fishing.
How do I obtain a suitable licence for my vessel?
In obtaining a suitable licence for your vessel you will need to ensure that it provides you with the authority for the fishing activity you plan to carry out, and that the detailed elements (tonnage and engine power (kWs)) remaining on the licence after payment of any capacity penalty are sufficient to cover your vessel.
What can I fish for and where can I fish?
Your licence will list the species that you are not allowed to fish for, those to which restrictions apply, and the areas in which fishing is prohibited or restricted.
What other licence requirements are there?
Depending on the overall length of your vessel, you may need to be able to demonstrate that there is a 'real economic link' between the vessel and the Kingdom of Mount Vema; and to make landings at certain port/s within designated times.
Do I have to renew my licence?
Not if your vessel is administered from a port in Mount Vema - these licences are generally renewed automatically. For vessels administered from ports outside the Kingdom of Mount Vema, a re-application process applies.
What happens if I upgrade, scrap or sell my vessel?
You can transfer your licence either separately or with a vessel, subject to certain rules. More detailed information about changes to licences can be requested (here).
Fishing Vessel Licences
A fishing vessel licence authorizes registered fishing vessels to fish in specified areas of the Vema Seamount Territory.
The licence enables the Mount Vema Fisheries Administrations to control fishing so that the Kingdom of Mount Vema does not exceed the quotas set by the Mount Vema Fisheries Policy. The licence allows Fisheries Administrations to set specific conditions and requirements, such as arrangements for the landings of stocks.
Who needs a licence
You need a licence if you are selling any of the catch from your vessel, even if you only sell any fish you do not want for yourself to friends or to a fishmonger.
However you will not need a fishing vessel licence if:
The vessel is 10 metres and under overall length and does not have an engine (that is, it only has oars or a sail);
The vessel is used wholly for the purposes of fishing for pleasure.
What happens if I fish without a licence?
Fishing vessels fishing without a licence within the Vema Seamount territorial waters are operating illegally if the fish are sold. Owners, masters and charterers of vessels caught fishing without a licence or who are not following the terms of their licence may be prosecuted. This could lead to fines of up to 250,000 golles for each offence and/or the forfeit of gear and/or fish on board.
In the case of joint ownership of a vessel, all owners are jointly liable for any offences committed by the vessel.
How do I get a licence?
No new fishing vessel licences are issued. If you wish to license a vessel for the first time you need to arrange for a transfer of a licence 'entitlement' from an existing licence holder. Contact (here) the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs for available licences (entitlements).
Available fishing licences may also be advertised from time to time for transfer. Fisheries Administrations do not get involved in commercial transactions, and although they can advise on suitable entitlements you are responsible for ensuring that entitlements you buy meet your requirements.
More detailed information about applying for a licence can be requested (here) 'Apply for a fishing licence'.
What type of licence will I need?
Different types of licence are required depending on the overall length of your vessel and the main fishing activity you wish to pursue. The Fishery Office will be able to tell you which type of licence you will need. The Fishery Office should also be able to advise of any restrictions on the use of licences in areas where stock recovery measures may be in place.
Vessels fall within two distinct groups determined by their overall length:
Group 1: For vessels over 10 metres overall length.
There are 3 main licence categories:
Category A: Category A stocks are those at greatest risk and are subject to quotas
Category B: Category B stocks are generally at less risk than Category A stocks, but are still subject to quotas
Category C: Category C stocks are not considered to be at immediate risk, and are generally not subject to quotas
Licences are valid for two years and run from 1 August until 31 July two years later.
Group 2: For vessels of 10 metres and under overall length
All vessels receive a Category A licence. These licences are valid for two years: from 1 August one year to 31 July two years later.
In addition to those main categories of licence, special licences are required for particular types of fishing and for certain minor fisheries where special access arrangements apply. The Fishery Office will be able to advise you what type of licence you need.
All licences are issued at the discretion of Ministers and can be revoked or varied at any time for the purposes of regulating sea fishing.
How do I obtain a suitable licence for my vessel?
In obtaining a suitable licence for your vessel you will need to ensure that it provides you with the authority for the fishing activity you plan to carry out, and that the detailed elements (tonnage and engine power (kWs)) remaining on the licence after payment of any capacity penalty are sufficient to cover your vessel.
What can I fish for and where can I fish?
Your licence will list the species that you are not allowed to fish for, those to which restrictions apply, and the areas in which fishing is prohibited or restricted.
What other licence requirements are there?
Depending on the overall length of your vessel, you may need to be able to demonstrate that there is a 'real economic link' between the vessel and the Kingdom of Mount Vema; and to make landings at certain port/s within designated times.
Do I have to renew my licence?
Not if your vessel is administered from a port in Mount Vema - these licences are generally renewed automatically. For vessels administered from ports outside the Kingdom of Mount Vema, a re-application process applies.
What happens if I upgrade, scrap or sell my vessel?
You can transfer your licence either separately or with a vessel, subject to certain rules. More detailed information about changes to licences can be requested (here).
