The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Act, 2023, published on 14th August, 2023, aims to regulate and promote sustainable coastal aquaculture in India. The Amendment Act introduces several key amendments to the 2005 Act.
The Act significantly empowers Coastal Aquaculture Authority by conferring new functions such as constitution of Committees, prohibition of coastal aquaculture in any area, fixing standards and certifications for coastal aquaculture and allied activities, and authorize officers to perform actions, including punitive actions for violations on its behalf.
The Act provides for expanded definitions for 'coastal aquaculture', 'coastal area', and also adds definitions for terms such as 'aqua zonation', 'coastal environment', 'biosecurity' etc.
The Act regulates coastal aquaculture activities in the No Development Zone (NDZ) and buffer zones around coastlines. The Act specifies that no coastal aquaculture, except hatchery, Nucleus Breeding Centre, and Brood Stock Multiplication Centre, shall be carried on in the NDZ in the case of the sea and in the buffer zone in the case of creeks, rivers, and backwaters.
The Act also provides for the appointment of a Secretary of the Authority to oversee day-to-day administration and coordination with the Committees and the Central Government. The Secretary, as the Chief Executive Officer, will be responsible for the implementation of the decisions of the Authority and the efficient discharge of its functions.
The Act also provides for penalties for violations of the provisions of the Act, and provides for an appeal mechanism against the orders of the Authority.
The Act validates certain provisions and amendments retrospectively, and deemed to have effect for all purposes as if they had been in force at all material times.
You can download the Act text here.
