Cap. 425 Art. 5Fisheries Board.

(1) There is hereby established a board to be known as the Fisheries Board.

(2) The Board shall consist of the following members who shall be appointed by the Minister:

(a) one (1) member from the department responsible for fisheries, having a grade which is at least equivalent to that of a Director in the public service;

(b) one (1) member from the public entity having responsibility for the enforcement of environmental laws;

(c) one (1) member from the Armed Forces of Malta;

(d) one (1) member nominated from each fishermen’s co-

operative registered according to the Co-Operative Societies Act and from each voluntary organisation representing commercial fishermen on a national level;

(e) one (1) member being a recreational fisherman nominated by the Federazzjoni tas-Sajjieda Dilettanti; and

(f) eight (8) other members being active operators of vessels authorised according to this Act to operate a fisheries vessel and falling in one of these categories:

(i) two (2) members operating fishing vessels of less than twelve (12) metres length which do not use towed gear;

(ii) two (2) members operating fishing vessels of less than twelve (12) metres length which are subject to a fishing quota for specific fish;

(iii) one (1) member operating fishing vessels of twelve (12) metres length or more which use towed gear;

(iv) one (1) member operating fishing vessles of twelve (12) metres length or more which are subject to a fishing quota for specific fish;

(v) two (2) members operating fishing vessels authorised to fish for lampuki with kannizzati (fishing aggregating devices):

Provided that the eight (8) members shall be appointed by the Minister after a call for expression of interest amongst those fishermen who fall under these categories:

Provided further that at least one (1) of such members shall be forty (40) years of age or less:

Provided further that at least one (1) of those members shall be of the female gender.

(3) Members of the Board shall, subject to subarticles (4) and (5), be appointed for a term of three years.

(4) A member of the Board may resign his office at any time by giving notice in writing to the Minister.

(5) The Minister may at any time remove a member of the Board on grounds of disability to perform his functions, bankruptcy or neglect of duty.

(6) The quorum necessary for meetings of the Board shall be the chairman or, in his absence, the deputy chairman and five other members.

(7) The Minister shall appoint a Chairman of the Board from amongst persons having proficient knowledge, competence and experience in the fisheries sector: Provided that the Board shall appoint a Deputy Chairman and a secretary from amongst the members appointed according to paragraphs (d) to (f) of sub-article (2).

(8) Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the Board may regulate its own procedures and meetings in such manner as it deems proper.