Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6422, sub-§4, ¶B, as amended by PL 1997, c. 574, §2, is further amended to read:

B. Documents to the commissioner that the person obtained practical lobster fishing experience as a holder of a student license issued under section 6421; or

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §6422, sub-§4, ¶E, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 574, §3, is amended to read:

E. Documents to the commissioner that the person obtained practical lobster fishing experience as an apprentice in the Monhegan Lobster Conservation Area pursuant to section 6475.; or

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §6422, sub-§4, ¶F is enacted to read:

F.__Documents to the commissioner that the person obtained practical lobster fishing experience as an unlicensed crew member assisting the holder of a Class II or Class III license issued under section 6421 and that the person is related to the license holder as a child by blood, child by adoption__or stepchild.

SUMMARY

This bill amends the apprentice program for new entrants into Maine's lobster fishery by authorizing the Commissioner of Marine Resources to waive all or part of the practical lobster fishing experience component or the program length for a person who is the child of a lobster and crab fishing license holder and who has obtained practical lobster fishing experience as an unlicensed crew member assisting that license holder.