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In this Act the expression “the annual close season for eels” means in relation to any locality and for the purposes of the taking of eels by means of a fishing engine of any description, other than rod and line, the period during which it is declared by a regulation under section 15 for the time being in force and applicable to that locality to be unlawful to fish for or take eels by means of a fishing engine of that description, or if no period is so prescribed,—
(a)in relation to the taking of eels by means of [F1 fishing engines which are erected or hung in fishing weirs or are] fixed engines (other than long lines), the period from 9th January in any year to 31st May in that year; and
(b)in relation to the taking of eels by any means other than a fishing engine to which paragraph ( a) applies (except by rod and line), the period from 9th January in any year to 30th April in that year.