228 THE FISHER Y LA WS. 



February I. As to salmon there is also, during the 

 fishing season, a weekly close time for net fishing, generally 

 from noon on Saturday till six on Monday morning, 

 but conservators can vary it within limits. 1 The penalties 

 are similar to those already mentioned for fishing with 

 illegal instruments. During the annual close season fixed 

 engines must be removed altogether, and during the weekly 

 close season a free passage must be left through them. 2 



Penalties are likewise imposed on selling fish in the close 

 season, and the exportation of unseasonable salmon 

 between the 3rd of September and the 3Oth of April is 

 specially provided against. 3 As to trout and char it has 

 fallen out in the complication of additions and minor 

 amending Acts that there is no power to vary the time 

 during which they may be lawfully sold ; so that in 

 districts where the close time for capture has been varied 

 absurd results may follow. It may be an offence to sell fish 

 while it is still lawful to catch them, and while it is still 

 unlawful to catch them they may be sold with impunity. 



As an additional protection to salmon rivers, eel-pots 

 and the like, except eel-baskets used with bait, not more 

 than ten inches across, and not at a dam or weir, must not 

 be set in them between the 1st of January and the 24th of 

 June, 4 and during the same time " any device whatsoever to 

 catch or obstruct any fish descending the stream," is un- 

 lawful in any inland water, whether frequented by salmon 

 or not. 



In 1878 a new close season (March 15 to June 15 in- 



1 1861, s. 21 ; 1873, s. 39, (2). 2 1861, ss. 20, 22. 



3 1865, s. 65; 33 & 34 Viet. c. 33. 



4 1873, s. 15 (but elvers maybe taken at any time, subject to certain 

 special close times for the Severn Fishery : 39 & 40 Viet. c. 34.) This 

 extends to the use of a permanent eel-trap, which existed before the 

 passing of the Act : Briggs v. Swanwick, 10 Q. B. D. 510. 



