162 NEW SOUTH WALES 
The chief protective, regulative, and penal provisions of the Act are 
shown in the subjoined summary :— 
SUMMARY OF THE FISHERIES ACT, 1881.* 
Fisuine Nets. 
In all Tidal-Water Fisheries, that is to say, all sea-fisheries on the 
coast, unless during the close months or where the fisheries are abso- 
lutely closed against fishing-nets of every kind, a lawful net may be of 
a length sufficient to enclose a space of 300 yards measured along the 
corks, but must not have a mesh{ in the bunt less than 24 inches or 
3 inchessin each wing. But bona fide garfish nets (if used during the 
open months, or elsewhere than in a fishery absolutely closed under 
section 17) will not be illegal if each wing is equal in length to the 
bunt, and if the mesh in each wing is not less than 2 inches, the bunt 
and wings being hung on the same cork and lead lines; but such gar- 
fish nets must not in the bunt exceed 30 fathoms in length, or have in 
the bunt a mesh less than 14 inch. Prawn nets will be legal, under 
the same limitations as to time and place, if they do not exceed 15 
fathoms in length, or do not have a mesh less than 1 inch. 
The new Act contains a saving clause in favour of nets which under 
the old Acts would be legal during the “winter months” ; that is to 
say, nets of 14 inch mesh in the bunt and of 2 inches mesh in the 
wings—the bunt being limited to 30 fathoms and each wing to the same 
length—may be used up to the 3lst July, 1882, for the purpose of 
catching garfish only ; but such nets must not be used in Close Fisheries 
during the close months, nor used aé all in fisheries absolutely closed 
against net fishing of every kind under section 17. 
Stalling is prohibited at all times and places, but bona jide meshing 
nets not exceeding 60 fathoms in length, and not less than 4 inches in 
the mesh, are permitted if not set during the close months in any close 
Jishery, or in any fishery absolutely closed under section 17. 
Drift nets and purse seines of any length or mesh may be used in the 
open sea, z.¢., outside the mouths or limits of any bay, river, or inlet. 
For Inland Waters a net may be any length, but must not be less in 
the mesh than 3 inches, and must not to be set wholly across a river or 
creek, but this restriction does not apply to nets used in private fisheries. 
Ciose Season ror Net Fisu. 
The Act provides a close season extending from the first of April to 
the thirtieth of September in each year, during which no nets must be 
used in any tidal waters proclaimed by the Governor, under a penalty 
not exceeding £50 and not less than £10. Tidal waters within any 
areas so proclaimed are termed “Close Fisheries.” 
* The restrictive and penal provisions in the Act did not come into force until 
the sixtieth day after its passing , i.¢., the 5th June, 1881. 
+The mesh of a net is to be measured diagnonally, and not from knot to knot 
along each side of the square, as is the rule in England and other countries, 
