Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6431-C, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 468, §5, is amended to read:

2. Purpose. All money credited to the Lobster Management Fund must be used to cover the costs of trap tags and the administration and enforcement of a lobster trap tag system under section 6431-B and, the costs associated with lobster management policy councils and referenda pursuant to section 6447 and the costs associated with determining eligibility for lobster and crab fishing licenses and eligibility to fish for or take lobsters from a vessel.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §6505-D, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 536, Pt. A, §8, is amended to read:

2. Permissible uses. The commissioner may use the fund in accordance with a plan required under subsection 3 to research and manage the State's eel and elver resources and, to enforce the laws related to eels and elvers and to cover the costs associated with determining eligibility for elver fishing licenses.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §6749-R, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1997, c. 685, §6, is further amended to read:

1. Uses of the fund. The commissioner shall use the fund for research directly related to sea urchin fishery management information needs and for reporting to licensed sea urchin harvesters, boat tenders, processors and buyers on the results of research and the use of fund revenues. The purpose of that research must be to determine, with the highest reliability possible given available resources, the greatest level of effort that may be applied to the sea urchin fishery without harming the long-term economic and biological sustainability of the sea urchin fishery. The commissioner shall consult with the Sea Urchin Zone Council under section 6749-X before deciding upon research projects and awarding grants from the fund. The fund may also be used to cover the costs associated with determining eligibility for licenses under this subchapter and for personnel services for enforcement. Up to 30% of allotted revenues may be used for personnel services for enforcement purposes.

SUMMARY

This bill authorizes the use of money in the Lobster Management Fund, the Eel and Elver Management Fund and the Sea Urchin Research Fund to fund costs associated with determining eligibility to participate in the lobster fishery, the elver fishery and the sea urchin fishery.