Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013

60 Fixed penalty notices

(1) Part 4 of the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007 (sea fisheries) is amended in accordance with this section.

(2) In section 25 (issue of fixed penalty notices)—

(a) in subsection (1), for “British sea-fishery” substitute “fixed penalty”,

(b) in subsection (2)—

(i) the words “is an offence” are repealed,

(ii) for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute—

“(a) is an offence under the Sea Fisheries enactments in respect of which a person mentioned in paragraph (a) of subsection (2A) has functions,

(b) is an offence under the marine protection and nature conservation legislation in respect of which a person mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection has functions,

(c) is an offence under—

(i) Part 4 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (marine licensing), or

(ii) section 5(5) of the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013 (control and monitoring of operation of wellboats),

(d) in relation to a person mentioned in any of paragraphs (c) to (f) of that subsection, is an offence in respect of which the person has functions.”,

(c) after subsection (2) insert—

“(2A) The persons referred to in subsection (2) are—

(a) a British sea-fishery officer,

(b) a marine enforcement officer within the meaning of section 157(1) of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010,

(c) an inspector within the meaning of section 12 of this Act,

(d) an inspector within the meaning of regulation 3(1) of the Aquatic Animal Health (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (S.S.I. 2009/85),

(e) an inspector within the meaning of regulation 1(2) of the Animals and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations 2007 (S.S.I. 2007/194) who is appointed as mentioned in that regulation by the Scottish Ministers for purposes relating to fish farming or shellfish farming,

(f) an authorised officer within the meaning of regulation 2(1) of the Animals and Animal Products (Examination for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/1729) appointed (whether solely or jointly) by the Scottish Ministers to act in matters arising under those Regulations relating to fish farming or shellfish farming or the products of either such type of farming.

(2B) The Scottish Ministers may by order modify—

(a) subsection (2) so as to amend the definition of “relevant offence”,

(b) subsection (2A) so as to—

(i) add or remove a description of a person to or from those for the time being listed in that subsection,

(ii) vary a description of a person for the time being listed in that subsection.

(2C) In subsection (2A)(e) and (f), “fish farming” and “shellfish farming” have the same meanings as in section 12.

(2D) Despite subsection (1), a fixed penalty officer may not issue a notice in respect of a relevant offence that involves—

(a) assault on a person mentioned in subsection (2A),

(b) obstructing such a person in the exercise of the person’s powers,

(c) failure to comply with a requirement imposed, or instruction given, by such a person.”,

(d) in subsection (3)—

(i) after the definition of “British sea-fisheries officer” insert—

• ““fixed penalty officer” means a person appointed as such an officer by the Scottish Ministers;”,

(ii) after the definition of “Sea Fisheries enactments” insert—

• ““the marine protection and nature conservation legislation” has the meaning given in section 132(2) of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010;”.

(3) In section 27 (amount and payment of fixed penalty)—

(a) in subsection (1), for “80 per cent of level 4 on the standard scale” substitute “£10,000”,

(b) in subsection (2), for “British sea-fishery” substitute “fixed penalty”.

(4) In section 31 (withdrawal of fixed penalty notice or expiry of period for paying), in subsection (1), for “British sea-fishery” substitute “fixed penalty”.

(5) For the title of Part 4 substitute “Fixed penalty notices”.

(6) The cross-heading immediately following that title is repealed.

(7) For the cross-heading immediately preceding section 32, substitute the following Part title—

“PART 4A

– Miscellaneous amendments of sea fisheries legislation”.