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Regulation for Size, &c. of Nets.
Using improper Nets, &c.
Unduly placing Nets.
Penalty.
Application of Penalty.
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‘XIV. And Whereas the Quantity of Fish is diminished by Methods of Fishing which destroy the Spawn and Fry of Fish ;’ Be it enacted, That no Drag Net or other Sea Net which hath a Mesh of less than Three Inches and a Half from Knot to Knot, shall be made use of in catching any kind of Fish, (except Herrings, Pilchards, Sprats, Shrimps and Prawns, and small Shell Fish for Bait,) upon any Parts of the Coasts of Ireland, or within any of the Bays, Harbours, Rivers or Creeks thereof, nor shall any false or double Bottom, Cod or Paunch, or any other Net, though of legal Size, be placed upon or behind the other, in order to take and destroy small Fish; and if any Person or Persons shall make use of any Drag Net or other Sea Net which has a Mesh of less than Three Inches and a Half from Knot to Knot, in catching any kind of Fish (except Herrings, Pilchards, Sprats, Shrimps, Prawns and small Shell Fish for Bait) on any Parts of the Sea Coasts of Ireland, or within any of the Bays, Harbours, Rivers or Creeks thereof, shall place any false or double Bottom, Cod or Paunch, or any other Net, though of legal Size, upon or behind any other, in order to take and destroy small Fish; such Person or Persons so offending, and being thereof convicted, upon his or their Appearance, or Default after Summons, before One or more Justice or Justices of the Peace of the County, or Inspector of the District where such Person or Persons so offending hath or have their usual Place of Abode, by the Oath of One or more credible Witness or Witnesses, which Oath such Justice or Justices of the Peace, or Inspector, is and are hereby empowered to administer, or by Confession of the Party offending, shall for every such Offence forfeit and lose such Net or Nets, which such Justice or Justices are hereby empowered to seize and destroy, and shall also forfeit a Sum not less than Forty Shillings, nor exceeding Ten Pounds, to be levied by Warrant under the Hand and Seal of such Justice or Justices of the Peace, or Inspector, before whom such Offender shall be convicted, by Distress and Sale of the Goods of such Offender, the One Moiety thereof to the Person who shall inform and prosecute for the same, and the other Moiety to go and be disposed of to the Use of the Poor of the Parish where such Offender lives; and in case no sufficient Distress or Distresses can or may be had, whereout to levy the said Sum adjudged to be forfeited, that then the said Justice or Justices of the Peace, or Inspector, shall and may, by Warrant under his or their Hands and Seals, commit such Person or Persons to the Common Gaol of the County or Place where such Offender shall be convicted, there to remain for any time not exceeding Thirty Days, unless such Offender shall sooner pay the Penalty so forfeited, upon Payment whereof he shall be discharged forthwith.
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