PART VIPROTECTION OF FISHERIES
Prohibition of Certain Methods of Fishing for, and of Practices Liable to Destroy, Salmon and Other Fish
42Penalty for using, etc., certain devices for taking fish.
F11
If, for the purpose of taking or facilitating the taking of any fish, any person uses or has in his possession or control, in any river or on or near the banks thereof—
a
any light or fire; or
b
any electrical or acoustical apparatus of any kind,
he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.
2
If, for the purpose of taking any fish, any person uses or has in his possession or control in any river or on or near the banks thereof, any otter, [F2 tailer or snare,] spear, strokehaul, gaff or other instrument of a similar kind, he shall, subject to sub-section (3) of this section, be guilty of an offence against this Act.
3
Sub-section (2) of this section shall not apply to the use, possession or control of—
a
b
c
an eel spear used for taking eels.
F43A
If any person throws, releases or discharges any missile or other object into any water for the purpose of taking or killing, or facilitating the taking or killing of, any fish, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable—
a
on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both;
b
on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or to both.
4
F75
In this section—
“gaff” means a hooked instrument (with or without a barb) used to penetrate the gills or body of a fish; and
“otter” means an otter lath or jack, and includes any instrument, whether used with a handline, or as an auxiliary to a rod and line, or otherwise for the purpose of running out lures, artificial or otherwise.