Bill > LD1253

This bill amends Maine's marine resources law to give the Commissioner of Marine Resources additional authority to add limited-access area fishing days during the scallop season. Specifically, the bill allows the commissioner to add up to 5 extra fishing days in limited-access areas if two conditions are met: first, if fishers were unable to fish for scallops on certain days due to bad weather, and second, if the scallop population is robust enough to support additional fishing. This is an emergency rule provision that provides flexibility for the commissioner to respond to unexpected weather conditions that might prevent scallop fishing. The change is being made to Title 12, section 6171, which outlines the circumstances under which the commissioner can adopt emergency rules for marine resource management. By adding this new provision (labeled as subsection E), the bill gives the commissioner more discretion to ensure that scallop fishers can maximize their fishing opportunities within the existing conservation framework.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1253&snum=132