Maine Revised Statutes

1. License required.  A person may not use a boat for dragging for mussels unless that boat carries a current mussel boat license issued by the commissioner.

2. Licensed activity.  A boat license under this section may be used for dragging for mussels. The holder of a mussel boat license may also possess or transport mussels within the state limits or sell mussels the holder has taken to a wholesale seafood license holder certified under section 6856 or an enhanced retail seafood license holder under section 6852-A. The license also authorizes the captain and crew members aboard the licensed boat when engaged in dragging for mussels to undertake these activities. A mussel boat license does not authorize the holder to fish for or take mussels in violation of a municipal ordinance adopted pursuant to section 6671.

2-A. Licensed activities; aquaculture.  The holder of a mussel boat license who is also the holder or authorized representative of a holder of a lease issued under section 6072, 6072-A or 6072-B or a license issued under section 6072-C and personnel who are operating under the authority of such a holder of a mussel boat license may remove, possess, transport within the state limits or sell cultured mussels the holder has removed from the leased area to a wholesale seafood license holder certified under section 6856. Such a holder of a mussel boat license may also sell such mussels from that license holder's home in the retail trade. The department shall establish by rule a means to identify personnel operating under the authority of such a license holder. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

3. Eligibility.  A mussel boat license may be issued only to an individual who is a resident.

4. Exception.  In any one day, a person may take or possess not more than 2 bushels of shell mussels for personal use without a mussel license.

5. Fee.  The fee for a mussel boat license is $265.

6. Violation.  A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.