Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §7551, sub-§4 is enacted to read:

4.__Prioritization of restrictions.__In using the rule- making authority granted under this Part to provide protection to fish populations, the commissioner shall prioritize the methods by which restrictions are implemented according to the following, with the first-listed as the first method to be implemented and the last-listed as the last method to be implemented:

A.__Imposing bag limits and length restrictions that, to the extent possible, apply equally to open water and ice fishing;

B.__Imposing gear restrictions; and

C.__Shortening seasons.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes guidelines for the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife when enacting new fishing rules to set up the preferred order of restrictions. Under the bill, bag limits or length restrictions should be the first method employed to protect fish, and such restrictions should apply equally to open water and ice fishing. When the desired object can not be achieved through bag limits and length restrictions, then the next method should be gear restrictions. The method of last resort should be restrictions of opportunity by shortening seasons.