CHAPTER 27

H.P. 435 - L.D. 602

An Act To Provide for a Limited Sea Cucumber Fishery

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

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6801-A is enacted to read:

§6801-A.__Sea cucumber drag license

1.__License required.__A person may not engage in the activities authorized under this section without a current sea cucumber drag license.__A sea cucumber drag license must list the documentation or registration number of the vessel to be used by the licensee when dragging.

2.__Licensed activities.__The holder of a sea cucumber drag license may use the vessel named on the holder's license to drag for sea cucumbers.__The license also authorizes the captain and crew members aboard the vessel named on the license to drag for and possess, ship, transport and sell sea cucumbers, except that the captain and crew members may not drag for sea cucumbers if the license holder is not aboard the vessel.

3.__Exemptions.__Notwithstanding subsection 2, the commissioner may authorize a person to fish for or take sea cucumbers from a vessel when the person holding a sea cucumber drag license that contains the name of that vessel is not on board if: