If, on any part of the coast or within any bay, estuary or tideway thereof, any person uses any net to which this section applies with a mesh of less size than F14.5 centimetres from knot to knot, to be measured along the side of the square, or F218 centimetres to be measured all round each such mesh, such measurement being taken in the clear when the net is wet, then, subject to sub-section (2) of this section, he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.

The Commission may by regulation under section thirteen permit the use of nets to which this section applies having meshes of a less size than that specified in sub-section (1) of this section.

In this section the expression “net to which this section applies” means any net or other engine which is not formed of a rigid material and which is used for the taking of salmon.