The purpose of this Act is to prescribe necessary matters concerning the efficient preservation, use, and management of fishing grounds, thereby contributing to preserving and improving the environments of fishing grounds and laying the foundation for sustainable fishery and aquaculture production, raising the productivity of fishing grounds and increasing the incomes of fishers, aquaculture businessmen, and those engaged in aquaculture.
The Minister for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries shall formulate a basic plan for fishing ground management every 5 years to manage fishing grounds in a comprehensive and systematic manner. The basic plan shall include 1. Policy goals and basic direction concerning fishing ground management; 2. Measures to preserve the environment in the fishing ground and facilitate the efficient use thereof; 3. Basic direction concerning the purification and maintenance of fishing grounds; 4. Other matters deemed necessary by the Minister for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Where deemed necessary to protect people's health, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries may establish the criteria for the fishing ground environment concerning water quality, sediment, etc. which impose restrictions or prohibitions on catching, harvesting, or cultivating aquatic animals and plants, and publicly notify them.