The planning, construction, operation, management and maintenance of fishing ports shall be governed by the provisions of this Act.

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

For the purpose of this Act, the terms and their definitions are as follows:
1. Fishing Port: means the base used by fishing vessels.
2. Fishing port area: means in accordance with Article 5, the designated waters within the fishing port boundary and the land areas necessary for construction, development of fishing ports as well as for fishing port facilities.
3. Fishing port planning: means the planning and the layout drawn out by the competent authorities on considerations of fishing activities, construction purposes and land use for the fishing port area.
4. Fishing port facilities: means the following facilities located within the fishing port area:
(1) Primary facilities: Facilities used for entrance/departure, anchoring, safety maintenance and management.
(2) Public facilities: Related facilities used for non-profit purposes such as the auctioning of fish catches and leisure activities for fishermen.
(3) General facilities: such as utility facilities, facilities for associated industries and other facilities of necessity to support the functioning of the fishing port.

Fishing ports are divided into the First Category and Second Category. First Category is managed by the central competent authority. Second Category is managed by municipal and county (city) governments. Based on fishery development needs and the purpose of use of a fishing port, the category of fishing port is subject to the designation by the central competent authority together with the municipal/county (city) government where the fishing port is located.

The area of First Category fishing port is jointly decided by the central competent authority and the authorities concerned. The decision is then submitted to the Executive Yuan for approval and is promulgated by the central competent authority.
The area of Second Category fishing port is jointly decided and promulgated by the municipal/county (city) government and authorities concerned and is reported to the central competent authority for records.
The fishing port plan must be followed to map out zones for specific business uses within the fishing port area. The competent authority of each business takes up the responsibility of development and management by following related rules and regulations.