Sec. 8. Transition provision. Members of the Sea Urchin Zone Council who were appointed under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 12, section 6749-X prior to the effective date of this Act and whose membership is affected by this Act shall continue to serve on the council until their current terms expire.

SUMMARY

This bill makes the following changes to the laws regarding the sea urchin fishery:

1. It eliminates the personnel restriction regarding the use of the sea urchin research fund;

2. It provides that failure to report required data may result in ineligibility to renew licenses;

3. It adds possession of sea urchins on a boat during a closed day as an unauthorized activity;

4. It directs the Commissioner of Marine Resources to suspend the sea urchin license of a license holder upon conviction of violating the sea urchin fishing season;

5. It directs the Commissioner of Marine Resources to suspend a sea urchin license upon conviction of violating the zone harvesting laws;

6. It places conditions on changing zones so that the number of license holders changing from Zone 1 to Zone 2 equals the number of license holders changing from Zone 2 to Zone 1;

7. It changes the membership of the Sea Urchin Zone Council from a processor in Zone 1 and a processor from Zone 2 to 2 individuals in Zone 1 who have either a processor's or buyer's permit and 2 individuals in Zone 2 who have either a processor's or buyer's permit; and

8. It specifies that the zone council may seek advice from knowledgeable scientists with regard to research needs.