Sec. 1. 12 MRSA c. 619, sub-c. VI is enacted to read:

SUBCHAPTER VI

LOBSTER HATCHERIES

§6481.__Lobster Hatchery Fund

1.__Lobster Hatchery Fund.__The Lobster Hatchery Fund is established as a dedicated nonlapsing fund.__The fund is administered by the department.

2.__Purpose.__All money credited to the Lobster Hatchery Fund must be used to establish and administer lobster hatcheries pursuant to section 6482.

3.__License surcharges.__The Lobster Hatchery Fund is capitalized by a $25 annual surcharge assessed on Class I lobster and crab fishing licenses for persons 18 to 69 years of age, Class II and Class III lobster and crab fishing licenses, wholesale seafood licenses with lobster permits and lobster transportation licenses.

§6482.__Establishment of lobster hatcheries

The commissioner shall establish subject to availability of funds under section 6481 a lobster hatchery in each lobster management zone created pursuant to section 6446.__The commissioner may by rule establish procedures and standards for the operation of lobster hatcheries.__Rules adopted under this section are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.

SUMMARY

This bill creates the Lobster Hatchery Fund, which must be used by the Commissioner of Marine Resources to establish a lobster hatchery in each lobster management zone. The fund is capitalized by an annual $25 surcharge on each commercial lobster license.