An Act To Require the Development of a Statewide Approach to Seaweed Management

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6803-C, sub-§12  is enacted to read:

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §6807,  as reallocated by RR 1999, c. 1, §19, is amended to read:

§ 6807. Seaweed harvesting rules

The commissioner may adopt rules regulating the harvest of seaweed on a species-specific basis, including, but not limited to, the total number of licenses that may be issued, the designation of a harvesting season or seasons, the quantity of the resource that may be harvested in a season, areas that may be open or closed to harvest , the designation of sectors, limitations on harvest by sector, establishment of a process for allocation to sectors and gear and techniques that may be used in harvesting. Rules adopted under this section are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A 2-A.

Sec. 3. Statewide fisheries management plan for seaweed. The Commissioner of Marine Resources shall develop a statewide fisheries management plan for seaweed pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 6171, subsection 2-A and shall present that plan to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources no later than January 31, 2014.

summary

This bill repeals the laws establishing the Cobscook Bay Rockweed Management Area 90 days after the adjournment of the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature. The bill also directs the Commissioner of Marine Resources to develop a fisheries management plan for a consistent approach to the management of seaweed harvesting throughout the State and to report to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources no later than January 31, 2014.