10.__Cod end rope.__The distance of a rope between the cod end and the cod-end anchor of an elver fyke net may not be more than 10 feet.__No part of a cod end rope or anchor may be between the wings of another elver fyke net.

11.__Fishing from artificial platforms.__A person may not utilize a dip net from any type of artificial platform constructed for the purpose of fishing for or taking elvers.

12.__Bycatch release.__A person shall return to the coastal waters as soon as is practical any species other than elver that is caught in an elver fyke net.

Sec. 6. 12 MRSA §6575-C, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 536, Pt. A, §9, is amended to read:

2. Alewife traps. It is unlawful for a person to fish for or take elvers within 50 feet of the downstream side of a licensed alewife trap.

Sec. 7. 12 MRSA §6575-F is enacted to read:

§6575-F.__Zones; closed season

It is unlawful for a person to fish for or take elvers:

1.__Zone 1.__In Zone 1, from June 1st to noon on March 15th of the following year.__For the purposes of this subsection, "Zone 1" has the same meaning as defined in section 6749-N, subsection 1; and

2.__Zone 2.__In Zone 2, from June 16th to noon on April 1st of the following year.__For the purposes of this subsection, "Zone 2" means all coastal waters east of that line established in subsection 1, including all coastal waters of the Penobscot River north of Fort Point State Park.

A person issued an elver fishing license may fish for or take elvers in both Zone 1 and Zone 2.

Sec. 8. Report. The Commissioner of Marine Resources shall by August 1, 1999 submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources on the harvest of elvers during the 1999 season and make recommendations regarding the number of licenses and gear restrictions for the 2000 elver fishing season. The commissioner shall by September 1, 1999 convene a meeting with