(3)The Licensing Officer may, after making such inquiry as he deems fit and having regard to the factors specified in sub-section (4), either grant or refuse to grant to the owner of the fishing vessel, the licence for fishing in the specified area mentioned in the licence:Provided that no licence shall be granted in respect of a fishing vessel which is not registered under section 12:Provided further that, no licence shall be refused in respect of a fishing vessel unless the owner of the fishing vessel is given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
