Whereas, a significant fishery for baby eels, or elvers, has developed in the coastal estuaries of the State; and

Whereas, the harvesting of these elvers may have a serious negative impact on the present commercial fishery for larger American eels in the waters of the State; and

Whereas, it appears that the American eel resource of this State is significantly more valuable when elvers are allowed to grow to 6 inches or more in length; 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 §6505-E is enacted to read:

§6505-E.__Prohibited acts relating to eel

1.__Illegal possession.__If a person takes by any means, possesses or sells American eel that is less than 6 inches in length from territorial waters, including fresh waters of the State, that person is guilty of illegal possession of eel.

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

SUMMARY

This bill regulates the taking of eels by making it illegal to possess eel that is less than 6 inches in length.