Sec. B-253. 12 MRSA §12506, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. D, §7, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

§12506.__Alewife, eel, sucker and yellow perch harvesting

method permit; elver prohibition

1.__Permit required.__Except as otherwise authorized pursuant to this Part and except as provided in subsections 5 and 5-A, a person may not fish for or possess the following fish using the harvesting methods listed in subsection 2 without a valid permit issued under this section:

A. Alewives;

B. Eels;

C. Suckers;

D. Lampreys; or

E. Yellow perch.

Each day a person violates this subsection, that person commits a Class E crime for which a minimum fine of $50 and an amount equal to twice the applicable license fee must be imposed.

2.__Issuance.__The commissioner may adopt rules providing for the issuance of permits to fish for or possess the following fish using the following harvesting methods in the inland waters of the State, provided the permits do not interfere with any rights granted under section 6131:

A.__Eels using eel pots or weirs;

B.__Suckers and yellow perch using trap nets, dip nets or spears;

C.__Lampreys by hand or using hand-held dip nets; and

D.__Alewives using trap nets, dip nets, spears or fish pumps.

The commissioner may place conditions on the use of gear allowed under this subsection and may prohibit or restrict the use of any