174 NEW SOUTH WALES 
Testing Length and Mesh of Nets. 
14, Every net for the purpose of testing the length thereof shall 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 4 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 Ifthe 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 16 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. 
16. 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 histurn. 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. All 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. 
