(1) Subject to subsection (4), the Minister may where he or she is satisfied that any person has committed an offence against this Act or any regulations made under this Act compound such offence by accepting on behalf of the Government from such person a sum of money not exceeding the maximum fine specified for that offence.
(2) On compounding an offence under this section the Minister may order the release of any article seized under section 27 or the proceeds of sale of such article under section 28 on such conditions including the payment of such additional sums of money not exceeding the value of the article seized, as he or she may think fit.
(3) An offence shall not be compounded under this section unless the person who has committed the offence has expressed his or her willingness in a prescribed form that the offence be so dealt with.
(4) The compounding of an offence under this section shall be notified in writing under the signature of both parties to the appropriate magistrate's court.
(5) In any proceedings brought against any person for an offence against this Act or any regulation made under this Act, it shall be a defence if such person proves that the offence with which he or she is charged has been compounded under this section.
(6) The powers conferred on the Minister by subsection (1) may be exercised by the Chief Fisheries Officer in respect of a local fishing vessel.
(7) This section does not apply to any offence against section 24 or section 30.