236 THE RELATIONS OF THE STATE WITH 



has thus established an epoch at which our sea fishery 

 laws have somewhat approached codification. 



For the present purpose it is sufficient to watch its opera- 

 tion on British fishermen only, and under this term are 

 included the catchers " of all fish found in the sea, with the 

 exception of salmon." 



By this Act the fishing class becomes further than 

 before regulated by Orders which may from time to 

 time be issued by Her Majesty in Council, and it is thus 

 rendered subject to Sea Fishery Officers. These officers are 

 either those appointed for the express purpose by the Board 

 of Trade, or Commissioned officers of Her Majesty's Ships, 

 Customs Collectors, Inspectors of the Coast Guard, or other 

 authorised persons. By them fishermen may be compelled 

 to produce their official papers on demand, to give all 

 necessary explanations thereof, and, when it is necessary 

 to discover offenders against the fishery regulations, the 

 whole crew of a boat may be mustered. Suspected offenders 

 may be taken to the nearest port without warrant, and they 

 may be detained there until the offence has been adjudi- 

 cated upon. 



To prevent disorder, and the injury which might be 

 occasioned each other by fishermen, boats are not allowed 

 to anchor between sunset and sunrise on grounds where 

 drift-net fishing is actually going on ; and fishermen com- 

 mitting assaults or occasioning loss are, in addition to the 

 enforcement of compensation, liable to penalties not ex- 

 ceeding 50, or to three months' imprisonment. 



Owners not carrying with them their certificates of regis- 

 tration are liable to arrest, and their respective crews are 

 restrained generally from interfering with each other's 

 operations. 



With regard to their vessels, fishing-boats are deemed 



