Section 15 in Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1983
15. [ Power to enter and search fishing vessel. [Substituted by Act No. 18 of 2017.]
(1)The authorised officer or inspection officer may, if he has reason to believe that any fishing vessels has not been provided with sea safety, surveillance and communication system in conformity with the rules made under this Act, or any fishing vessel is being or has been used in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or of any notifications issued or rules made thereunder or any of the conditions of the licence granted under this Act, enter and search such fishing vessel and seize such fishing vessel and fish found on it and the authorized officer may impound such fishing vessel after giving an opportunity of being heard:Provided that if no claim is made by any person in respect of any seized vessel within a period of six months from the date of seizure of the vessel, the authorised officer shall declare that the seized vessel is abandoned and shall provide for the disposal of the abandoned vessel in such manner as may be prescribed.(2)The authorised officer or inspection officer may seize the prohibited gear, if he has found such gear on board, or used for the purpose of fishing and submit seizure mahazar to the adjudicating officer in the prescribed format.(3)The adjudicating officer may, if he has any reason to believe that the said gear was used in contravention of any provisions of the Act, authorize an officer by an order to destroy such gear into pieces beyond use in the presence of panel of members as he deems fit.Explanation. - For the purpose of this section, "Panel of members" means an officer not below the rank of Village Administrative Officer in the Revenue Department and an officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector in the Police Department and an officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector of Fisheries in the Fisheries Department.]
