White Herring Fisheries Act 1771
1771 c.31 11_Geo_3
An Act for the Encouragement of the White Herring Fishery.
Whereas the carrying on and improvement of the British White Herring Fisheries are of great importance to these kingdoms, by increasing the trade and navigation thereof, and being a nursery for seamen, and otherwise a means of employing and providing for great numbers of industrious poor, provided that reasonable encouragement be given to such persons as are willing to carry on the said fisheries: Therefore, and for the better regulation of the said trade, and for preventing frauds and impositions in the management thereof,
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11. Persons employed in the said fisheries to have the free use of all ports, harbours, &c. in Great Britain and the islands thereto belonging.Offenders to forfeit 100 l
And all and every person or persons employed in the said fisheries may fish in any part of the British Seas and shall have and exercise the free use of all ports, harbours, shores, and forelands in Great Britain, or the islands belonging to the crown of Great Britain, below the highest high-water mark, and for the space of one hundred yards on any waste or uncultivated land beyond such mark, within the land, for landing their nets, casks, and other materials, utensils, and stores, and for erecting tents, huts, and stages, and for the landing, pickling, curing, and reloading their fish, and in drying their nets, without paying any foreland or other dues, or any other sum or sums of money, or other consideration whatsoever, for such liberty (except as herein-after is excepted), any law, statute, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding: And if any person or persons shall presume to demand or receive any dues, sums of money, or other consideration whatsoever, for the use of any such ports, harbours, shores, or forelands, within the limits aforesaid, or shall obstruct the fishermen, or other persons employed in the taking or curing of fish, or drying their nets, in the use of the same, every person so offending shall, for every such offence, forfeit the sum of one hundred pounds, to be recovered and levied in manner herein-after directed.
12. Saving as to dues for artificial harbours or piers.
Provided always, that nothing in this Act contained shall extend to exempt the vessels or boats employed in the said fisheries from the payment of such harbour or pier duties as are, and by the law ought to be, demanded for ships, vessels, or boats, in piers or harbours which are built or artificially made, but that such harbour or pier dues shall be paid in like manner as the same were liable to be paid before the passing of this Act.
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