Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959

Penalties for taking, etc., unseasonable salmon or trout.

176.—(1) If any person takes, kills or destroys any unseasonable salmon or trout, such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding twenty-five pounds and an additional fine not exceeding two pounds for each such salmon or trout taken, killed or destroyed by him or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months.

(2) Where a person is convicted of an offence under this section, any salmon or trout in respect of which the offence was committed shall, as a statutory consequence of conviction, stand forfeited.

(3) Where a person is charged with taking a salmon or trout in contravention of this section it shall be a good defence to prove that such salmon or trout was taken accidentally, and was returned without avoidable injury to the water immediately upon being taken.