The Fisheries Act will be amended to punish those violating international maritime laws, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said. The new laws are to be in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the principles of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, he said. The minister said under the new laws, vessels seized for violation of international maritime laws will be subjected to a Rs 1.5 million fine while the license of captains of multi - day vessels will also be suspended. Steps will also be taken to confiscate vessels, the minister said. The new laws will act a deterrent against fishermen entering international waters and will guarantee the safety of both fishermen and marine resources, Senaratne said.