Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6073-A, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 381, §5, is amended to read:

§6073-A. Minimum size exemption; aquaculture

The holder of a lease issued under section 6072, 6072-A or 6072-B is exempt from any requirement regarding the minimum or maximum length or other minimum or maximum size requirement for finfish any marine organism cultivated on the leased area. The exemption applies only to those organisms actually cultivated on the leased area. The commissioner shall require a system of identification of organisms exempted under this section.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §6074, sub-§1, ¶A, as repealed and replaced by PL 1983, c. 662, §2, is repealed.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §6074, sub-§1, ¶B is enacted to read:

B.__Any species grown in a hatchery for stock enhancement or resale for purposes of cultivation or stock enhancement.

SUMMARY

This bill expands the exemption for the possession of an organism grown on aquaculture lease sites that is less than the minimum or more than maximum size allowed from finfish only to any marine organism approved for growing on a lease site.

This bill also provides that a special license may be approved for any marine species grown in a hatchery for stock enhancement or resale for purposes of cultivation or stock enhancement that is less than the minimum size.