Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
Penalty. – (1) The adjudicating officer shall, after the enquiry under section 17, decide whether any person has used or caused or allowed to be used, any fishing vessel in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act, or of any notification issued or of any rule made thereunder or any of the conditions of the licence 10 granted under this Act and any such person, on being found guilty by the adjudicating officer, shall be liable to such penalty not exceeding – (a) five thousand rupees, if the value of fish involved is one is one thousand rupees or less; (b) five times the value of the fish; if the value of the fish involved is more than one thousand rupees; or (c) five thousands rupees, in any other case, being a case not involving any fish, as may be adjudged by the adjudicating officer. (2) In addition to any penalty that may be imposed under sub-section (1), the adjudicating officer may direct that – (a) The certificate of registration of the fishing vessel which has been used, or caused or allowed to be used, in the manner referred to in sub-section (1) or the licence, any condition of which has been contravened, shall be – (i) cancelled or revoked, as the case may be; or (ii) suspended for such period as the adjudicating officer deems fit; or (b) the fishing vessel or fish that may have been impounded or seized, as the case may be, under section 15 or the proceeds of the fish disposed of, and deposited in the office of the adjudicating officer, under sub-section (2) fo section 16 shall be forfeited to the Government: Provided that no fishing vessel shall be forfeited under clause (b), if the adjudicating officer after hearing the owner of such fishing vessel or any person claiming any right thereto is satisfied that the owner or such person had exercise due care for the prevention of the commission of such offence.