Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §12004-I, sub-§57-B, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 595, §1, is amended to read:

57-B. Sea Urchin None 12 MRSA

Marine Zone Council Expenses §6749-X

Resources: Only

Zones

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §6404-B, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 244, §1, is amended to read:

§6404-B. Suspension based on conviction of fishing on

closed days for sea urchin fishing

The commissioner shall suspend the sea urchin fishing license of any license holder convicted in court of violating section 6749-W or any rule adopted under section 6749. The suspension must be for one year from the date of conviction.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §6404-D is enacted to read:

§6404-D.__Suspension based on conviction of sea urchin

fishing in a closed area

The commissioner shall suspend the sea urchin fishing license of any license holder convicted in court of violating section 6749-N.__The suspension must be for one year from the date of conviction.

Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §6748, sub-§5 is enacted to read:

5. Rebuttable presumption.__It is unlawful for an individual to dive from a vessel with sea urchins on board unless that individual is licensed under this section.__It is a rebuttable presumption that an individual diving from a vessel with sea urchins on board at any time of the year is diving for the purpose of fishing for or taking sea urchins.

Sec. 5. 12 MRSA §6749, as repealed and replaced by PL 1995, c. 392, §5, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

§6749.__Sea urchin harvesting season and open days

1. Closed season.__It is unlawful for a person to fish for or take sea urchins from May 1st to August 31st.

2. Open days.__The commissioner, in consultation with the Sea Urchin Zone Council under section 6749-X, shall establish by