Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959

Authority to dredge for oysters during close season for oysters.

274.—(1) The Minister may, for the purpose of replenishing and supplying any oyster bed the exclusive property of any person, authorise the dredging for and taking of oysters from any natural public bed lying below the level of the lowest water of spring tides during such part of the close season for oysters as the Minister thinks proper and specifies in the authorisation.

(2) If any oysters dredged or taken during any part, specified in any authorisation under subsection (1) of this section, of the close season for oysters are brought to shore by any person or sold or offered for sale by any person or are found in the possession of any person on land or are used by any person for any purpose other than replenishing or supplying any such artificial or other bed as is mentioned in the said subsection (1), such person shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds.

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