| Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: |
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| | Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6722, as amended by PL 1983, c. 685, is further | amended to read: |
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| | Unless modified by regulation adopted under section 6171-A, it | is unlawful to fish for or take scallops in the coastal waters | from April 16th to October 31st November 30th, both days | inclusive. |
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| | Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §6726, sub-§1, ¶¶B and C, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 281, | §1, are amended to read: |
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| B. From November 1, 1999 December 1, 1999 to April 15, | 2001, 3 1/4 inches in diameter; and |
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| C. On November 1, 2001 December 1, 2001 and thereafter, 3 | 1/2 inches in diameter. |
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| | Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §6727, sub-§§1 and 2, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 281, §1, | are amended to read: |
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| | 1. Opening month of season. It is unlawful from November 1st | to November 30th December 1st to December 31st for a person to | possess on any vessel fishing for scallops in the coastal waters, | or to utilize when fishing for or taking scallops in the coastal | waters, a drag or any combination of drags that measures in | excess of 5 feet, 6 inches across from one extreme outside edge | of the mouth of the drag or combination of drags to the opposite | extreme outside edge. |
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| | 2. Remainder of season. It is unlawful from December 1st | January 1st to April 15th for a person to possess on any vessel | fishing for scallops in the coastal waters, or to utilize when | fishing for or taking scallops in the coastal waters, a drag or | any combination of drags that measures in excess of 10 feet, 6 | inches across from one extreme outside edge of the mouth of the | drag or combination of drags to the opposite extreme outside | edge. |
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| | This bill changes the scallop season to December 1st to April | 15th from the current season of November 1st to April 15th and | requires a minimum 3 1/4-inch ring diameter for scallop drags | from December 1, 1999 to April 15, 2001 and a 3 1/2-inch ring | diameter after December 1, 2001. The bill limits scallop drag | width to 5 feet, 6 inches from December 1st to December 31st and | 10 feet, 6 inches from January 1st to April 15th. |
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