CHAPTER 192
S.P. 383 - L.D. 1280
An Act Concerning the Enforcement of Laws Relating to Scalloping in Cobscook Bay
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6728 is enacted to read:
1. Daily limit; rules. In the coastal waters northerly and inshore of the international bridge that connects Lubec to Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada, it is unlawful to fish for, take or possess more than 15 gallons of scallop meat per day. Under this subsection it is unlawful to unload any portion of a day's catch and return to fishing. The department shall establish by rule a bushel limit of shellstock that is equivalent to 15 gallons of meat. The department shall also establish by rule a method to allow harvesters to land and possess scallops in Cobscook Bay that are taken outside the area defined in this subsection. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.
2. Culling required. In the coastal waters northerly and inshore of the international bridge that connects Lubec to Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada, it is unlawful to possess, ship, transport, buy or sell scallops that are less than 3 1/2 inches in the longest diameter. Those scallops that are less than 3 1/2 inches must be immediately liberated. It is prima facie evidence of possession of illegal scallops if a vessel contains scallops less than 3 1/2 inches while a scallop boat license holder or crew member is shucking scallops.
3. Violation. A person who violates this section commits a civil violation. The following penalties apply:
A. For the first offense, a forfeiture of $250 is imposed and all scallops on board may be seized; and
B. For each subsequent offense, a forfeiture of $250 is imposed, all scallops on board may be seized and the scallop boat license may be suspended for one year.
Effective September 21, 2001, unless otherwise indicated.
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