FISH AND FISHERIES. 163 
CLoseD FisHErizs, 
Net-fishing of any kind is illegal in any tidal waters proclaimed by 
the Governor to be closed against such net-ishing, for the period 
specified by the Act. 
Licenses. 
_ A license for every fishing boat must be taken out annually—the 
license fee being £1 ; but, after the thirtieth of June the fee is reduced 
to 10s. for the remainder of the year. 
Every fisherman must take out an annnal license, subject to the like 
reduction for the broken: period of the year ; the fee is 10s., but subject 
to the same reduction. 
PRAWN-FISHING. 
The riddling of prawns is only allowed while the prawns are alive. 
In the river Hunter, and in any other river proclaimed by the 
Governor, an annual close season is or will be established. It extends 
from the first of June to the thirtieth of September. 
ToRPEDOES, Dynamite, &c. 
The use of torpedoes, dynamite, or poisonous matter in any waters is 
prohibited under a penalty not exceeding £40 nor less than £10. The 
prohibition, however, does not extend to persons lawfully authorized to 
explode torpedoes or dynamite. 
UNMARKETABLE FisH. 
It is unlawful to sell, or expose for sale, or be in possession of any 
fish under the respective weights specified in the Second Schedule to the 
Act or prescribed by the Regulations. The prohibition does not, how- 
ever, extend to collectors, owners of private fisheries, persons in posses- 
sion of fish not intended for sale, or aboriginals, under certain conditions. 
Oyster FISHERIES. 
After validating the holdings, or premises of leases, acquired by certain 
persons under the “Oyster Beds Act of 1868,” subject to their com- 
pliance with regulations for the management of the natural oyster-beds 
comprised in such holdings or promises, and forfeiture on default, the 
Act proceeds to the important subject of 
OvsTER LEASEs. 
Of these there are two descriptions :— 
(1.) The first, long leases of shore and beds of tidal waters, may 
include an area, not exceeding 25 acres. The term must not 
exceed thirty years, or be less than fourteen years. 
The rent is 5s. per acre for the first four years, and £1 per acre for 
the remainder of the term. No natural oyster-bed can be 
included in a lease, and no right is acquired by the lessee to 
the occupation of the shore (except so much as may be included 
in the area leased) unless for certain specified purposes. 
No portion of the shore fronting private land can be included in a 
lease. 
