The Minister may require that, prior to the issue of a fishing licence to a foreign fishing vessel in which there is no Ghanaian ownership or shareholding, the applicant appoints an agent within the Republic, who is a citizen or a non-citizen who has resided continuously within the Republic for a period of at least five years immediately prior to the proposed appointment, with no record of conviction, and that person shall be authorised to receive  and respond to legal process issued in the Republic with respect to the activities of the vessel, its owner, operator, master and crew members.