Beach Control Act (Cap. 45).

The Act provides for the vesting of the foreshore and the floor of the sea in the Crown and regulates the use and control of those areas and related matters. The “floor of the sea” means the soil and subsoil of the sea off the coast of Antigua and Barbuda between the low water mark and so far out to sea as is deemed by law to be within the territorial sea (sect. 2). Use of the foreshore and the floor of the sea requires a licence. Exempted from such obligation are agriculture, rights of fishermen in or over any beach or adjoining land before the Act came into operation and other rights specified in section 10. Licences are granted by the Minister responsible for Crown land in accordance with section 5. The Cabinet shall from time to time determine needs and requirements of the public in relation to the foreshore, also in relation to fishing (sect. 6). Section 8 concerns the compulsory acquisition of land for purposes of sections 6 and 7. Section 8 defines regulation making powers of the Cabinet.

Implemented by: Beach Control (Prevention of Danger) Regulations. (1976-10-13)