Whereas, the harvesting of sea urchins is not currently sufficiently regulated; and

Whereas, declines in certain fisheries will result in increased pressure on the sea urchin resource; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6749-D is enacted to read:

§6749-D.__Limit on daily harvest

1.__Volume.__A person may not harvest per day a volume of sea urchins greater than 25 standard totes.__A standard tote is 3 feet by one and one-half feet by 14 inches.

2.__Penalty.__A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 must be adjudged.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill limits the amount of sea urchins a person may harvest to 25 standard totes per day. The forfeiture for violating the limit is not less than $500 nor more than $1,000.