Whereas the Excessive use made of Seins of late in Core Sound, Bogue Sound and the Straights and in the Rivers, Bays and Creeks thereto belonging in the County of Carteret has already had a bad Effect and if suffered to be so fully exercised will tend to the entire distruction of fish therein, for remedy whereof;

Be it Enacted by the Governor Council and Assembly and by the Authority of the same, That from and after Twenty days from the passing of this Act to the last day of February Ensuing and in each and every year hereafter during the Continuance of this Act from the first day of November to the first day of March Yearly it shall not be lawfull for any Person or Persons whatsoever to extend any Sein or Seins to draw on Shore at any Landing place, Marsh or sand Shoad within the said County (Point Lookout Bay excepted) under the Penalty of Ten pounds proclamation money for each and every Offence to be Recovered by Action of Debt in any Court of Record within this Province having Jurisdiction of the same the one half to the Prosecutor the other half to the Parish of St. John’s in the County aforesaid.

And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid That in Case any Person or Persons under Age or any Slave shall presume to extend or draw any Sein or Seins Contrary to the true Intent and Meaning of this Act it shall be lawfull for any Person discovering the same to Seize and take the said Sein and deliver the same to some Justice of the Peace for the said County who is hereby required to Administer an Oath to the Person delivering the same to the truth thereof, And the said Justice is hereby required to direct the same to be sold at publick Vendue by any lawfull Officer after proper Notice give by the said Officer and after the said Officer taking out his Comissions shall pay one half of the Remainder to the prosecutor and the other Half to the Church Wardens for the Use of the Parish of St. Johns In the County of Carteret.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That this Act shall Continue and be in force for and during two Years.

CO 5/340, fs. 71-71