The planning, construction, operation, management and maintenance of fishing ports shall be governed by the provisions of the Fishing Port Act (hereinafter referred to as “this Act”).

The term “competent authority” as referred to in this Act means the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan at the central government level; municipal governments at the municipality level; and county/city governments at the county/city level.

For the purpose of this Act, the terms and their definitions are as follows:
(1) Fishing port: means a port mainly used by fishing vessels.
(2) Fishing port area: means the water within a fishing port boundary designated in accordance with Article 5, and the onshore area(s) necessary for construction and development of a fishing port as well as for fishing port facilities.
(3) Fishing port plan: means, for the construction and land use within fishing port areas, the planning and layouts made by the competent authorities in consideration of fishery activities and respective purpose.
(4) Fishing port facilities: means the following facilities located within fishing port areas:
i.Basic facilities: facilities used for entrance, departure, anchoring, safety maintenance, and management.
ii.Public facilities: related facilities provided to fishermen for non-profit purposes such as auctioning of catch and leisure activities.
iii.General facilities: such as utility facilities, facilities for associated industries, and other facilities necessary for supporting the functioning of fishing ports.

Fishing ports are categorized into first and second categories, which are managed by the central competent authority and municipal and county (city) governments, respectively. Based on fishery development need(s) and purpose(s) of usage, categorization of a fishing port is designated by the central competent authority in consultation with the municipal/county (city) government where the fishing port is located.

The first category fishing port area is delineated by the central competent authority in consultation with the authorities concerned. The decision is then submitted to the Executive Yuan for approval and announced by the central competent authority.
The second category fishing port area is delineated and announced by the municipal/county (city) government in consultation with authorities concerned, the decision of which is then reported to the central competent authority for reference.
Zones for specific purposes may be delineated within fishing port areas in accordance with fishing port plans, and the construction and management are planned by the respective competent authority of the relevant industry in accordance with relevant legislation.