A schedule of increases adopted by the Secretary of Commerce or a state conforms to this subsection if the increases are scheduled to occur within 90 days of the increases implemented under paragraph A.

After the Attorney General certifies that the conditions of this paragraph have been met, but prior to the effective date of any increase in the minimum size under this subsection, the Commissioner of Marine Resources shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resource matters on the biological and economic effects of the scheduled increase in the minimum lobster size on the lobster fishery and the Maine lobster industry. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resource matters shall hold a public hearing on the commissioner's report during the legislative session and prior to the effective date of any increase in the minimum lobster size.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §6431, sub-§1-A is enacted to read:

1-A.__Most restrictive minimum size.__A person possessing a valid lobster and crab fishing license and who also owns or is incorporated or partnered in a vessel holding a federal limited access lobster permit must comply with the most restrictive minimum lobster size for all federal lobster management areas declared on the federal permit, as contained in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster, wherever the fishing activity occurs.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill strikes existing language that prevents Maine from enforcing a larger minimum size for lobster than 3 8/32 inches except in the case of contingent action by the Federal Government and other New England states. It adds new language that requires individuals who possess both a Maine lobster and crab fishing license and a federal limited access lobster permit to comply with the largest minimum lobster size for all federal lobster