174 NEW SOUTH WALES 



Testing Length and Mesh of Nets. 



14. Every net for the jiurpose of testing tlie length thereof sliall be 

 measured along the cork line or line on which such net is hung. The 

 size of mesh in every case shall be ascertained by measuring the length 

 on the diagonal, or between knot and knot of opposite corners, the net 

 being first wetted and being tanned, barked, or otherwise prepared for 

 use. In case of dispute or doubt, a | pound weight shall be slung or 

 attached to one knot of a mesh, in order to produce a fair strain or 

 extension, and the space between the knots shall be measured forthwith 

 while the mesh remains extended If the net* to be measured is dry, the 

 part to be measured shall be soaked either in fresh or salt water for not 

 less than ten minutes, and the mesh so soaked shall then be measured. 



Marketable Prawns. 



15. Marketable prawns are prawns not caught during the close season 

 prescribed by section 1 6 for certain fisheries, and being not less than one 

 inch and a half in length, measured from a point between the eyes to the 

 end of the tail ; and all smaller prawns shall be deemed to be unmarket- 

 able, as well as all prawns (whatever the size) caught during such close 

 season as aforesaid : Provided that if in any basket of prawns, or 

 other vessel or receptacle in or upon which prawns shall be exhibited for 

 sale, a number of unmarketable prawns not being on the whole more 

 than one-tenth part of the contents of such basket, vessel, or receptacle, 

 shall be found so exhibited, no liability under the Act or Regulations 

 shall be incurred by any person in respect of the exhibition of such 

 prawns. 



Priority among Netters. 



1 6. The right of first shooting and hauling a net on any fishing-ground 

 shall belong to the licensed fisherman who first arrived on the ground 

 with his boat and net ready for shooting ; and the next turn shall belong 

 to the licensed fisherman who arrived next after such first-mentioned 

 person, and so on in order of arrival. An unlicensed fisherman shall not 

 be entitled to shoot a net on any fishing-ground until every licensed 

 fisherman then being on the ground with boat and gear ready for shooting 

 shall have had his turn. This regulation shall not apply to prawn fisher- 

 men. Two or more turns may be taken at the same time if the water 

 to be fished permits of double-banking, but no net shall be shot round an 

 inner net within a boat's length of the cork line of such net. 



Turns in Oyster-dredging. 



17. Every licensed oyster-dredger shall take his turn and place on the 

 bed according to the time of bespeaking such turn, unless the Inspector 

 chooses to permit several boats to work at the same time on the same 

 bed, in which case the dredgers shall work in obedience to the Inspec- 

 tor's directions. AJl turns must be bespoken from the Inspector at least 

 twenty-four hours in advance. Every dredger bespeaking a turn shall 

 lose it if he is not on the ground with boat and gear ready punctually 

 at the time appointed by the Inspector. 



