Chapter 3442. To regulate the landing, delivery, cure, and sale of sponges
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CHAP. 3442.— An Act To regulate the landing, delivery, cure, and sale of sponges. June 20, 1906. [[S. 4806](/us/bill/59/s/4806).] [[Public, No. 250](/us/pl/59/250). ] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,* That from and after MaySponges.Landing, etc., taken by diving in Gulf of Mexico, etc., unlawful. first, anno Domini nineteen hundred and seven, it shall he unlawful to land, deliver, cure, or offer for sale at any port or place in the United States any sponges taken by means of diving or diving apparatus from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico or Straits of Florida: *Provided,* That*Provisos.*Exception. sponges taken or gathered by such process between October first and May first of each year in a greater depth of water than fifty feet shall not be subject to the provisions of this Act: *And provided further*,Size restricted.
That no sponges taken from said waters shall be landed, delivered, cured, or offered for sale at any port or place in the United States of a smaller size than four inches in diameter. Sec. 2. That every person guilty of a violation of this Act shall forPenalties. each offense be liable to a fine of not less than one hundred dollars or more than five hundred dollars, which fine shall be a lien against the 314vessel on which the offense was committed. And every vessel used or employed in violation of this Act shall be liable to a fine of not less than one hundred dollars or more than five hundred dollars or forfeiture, and shall be seized and proceeded against by process of libel in any court having jurisdiction of the offense.
Sec. 3. Prosecutions.That any violation of this Act shall be prosecuted in the district court of the United States of the district wherein the offense was committed. Sec. 4. Enforcement.That it shall be the duty of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to enforce the provisions of this Act, and upon his request the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of the Navy may employ the vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service and of the Navy, respectively, to that end. Approved, June 20, 1906.