Fisheries Act 1981

3 Powers of the Authority

(1) The Authority shall have power—

(a) to carry out research and development with respect to any matters relating to the sea fish industry ;

(b) to give advice on any such matters ;

(c) to provide training in such matters or to assist in the provision of such training by making grants or by exercising supervisory or co-ordinating functions;

(d) to promote the marketing and consumption in, and the export from, the United Kingdom of sea fish and sea fish products;

(e) to make loans for assisting persons to meet capital expenditure on constructing, reconditioning or improving fishing vessels or on acquiring, reconditioning or improving plant for making ice or processing sea fish;

(f) to give financial assistance (by way of loan, grant or guarantee) to persons incurring expenditure in forming, carrying on or extending the activities of co-operatives for the sale of sea fish or for the purchase of fishing gear, fuel, stores or other materials requisite for the sea fish industry.

(2) The Authority may charge fees for any services which it provides and may accept voluntary contributions to its expenses or to its expenses in respect of any particular matter.

(3) In determining its policy with respect to the provision of training or the making of grants under paragraph (c) of subsection (1) above the Authority shall consult with such bodies as may be designated for the purpose by the Ministers; and the Authority shall not without the approval of the Ministers exercise supervisory or co-ordinating functions under that paragraph.

(4) In determining its policy with respect to any class of financial assistance under subsection (1)(e) or (f) above the Authority shall act with the approval of the Ministers.

(5) The Authority may provide services for persons concerned with the sea fish industry of countries other than the United Kingdom but shall not do so unless the full cost of the services is recovered by fees and the Authority is satisfied that the services can be provided without prejudice to its other activities.

(6) In Part I of Schedule 1 to the [1980 c. 63.] Overseas Development and Co-operation Act 1980 (bodies with power to assist in overseas development) after the entry relating to the Scottish Tourist Board there shall be inserted the words " The Sea Fish Industry Authority " ; and in section 2(3) of that Act (Ministers whose consent is required) after paragraph (a) there shall be inserted—

“(aa) in relation to the exercise of that power by the Sea Fish Industry Authority, the consent of the Ministers as defined in section 14(1) of the Fisheries Act 1981 ;”.

(7) The Authority may enter into such agreements, acquire such property and do all such other things as may in its opinion be necessary or desirable for the exercise of the powers conferred by title foregoing provisions of this section and may dispose as it thinks fit of any property acquired by it.