1.__Minimum length.__Take or possess Atlantic salmon that are less than 14 inches in total length;

2.__Method of taking.__From May 1st to October 15th, take Atlantic salmon in state waters by means other than hook and line with an unweighted salmon fly.__An Atlantic salmon taken by any other means must be immediately released;

3.__Closed season.__From October 16th to April 30th, take Atlantic salmon from state waters by any means;

4.__Bag limit.__Take more than one Atlantic salmon in one day from state waters.__No more than 5 Atlantic salmon per person may be taken annually from all waters of the State; or

5.__Disposition.__Sell or offer for sale any Atlantic salmon taken from state waters, except Atlantic salmon lawfully raised by means of aquaculture.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA Pt. 12, as amended, is repealed.

Sec. 3. Transition. All rules adopted by the Atlantic Salmon Authority remain in effect after the effective date of this Act until amended or repealed by the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. All property owned by the Atlantic Salmon Authority on the effective date of this Act becomes the property of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. All contracts, agreements and obligations entered into by the Atlantic Salmon Authority by the effective date of this Act become contracts, agreements and obligations of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

SUMMARY

This bill repeals the Atlantic Salmon Authority and transfers the authority's powers to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.