Bill > LD1353

This bill mandates that the Commissioner of Marine Resources **shall** establish a limited entry system for commercial menhaden licenses, meaning they are required to do so, rather than having the option. This system will allow new individuals to obtain a license if the total number of licenses falls below 350 and the rate at which licenses are surrendered equals the rate at which new ones are issued (a one-to-one fishery exit ratio). Before implementing this system, and under the same license and ratio conditions, the Commissioner must prioritize applicants who meet specific past fishing and reporting requirements (having held a license and reported at least 20,000 pounds of menhaden landings in 2019, 2020, or 2021, and not having received a license under a different provision) and then give preference based on the applicant's municipality of residence, starting with those farthest east in the state, with random selection if multiple applicants are from the same easternmost municipality. The rules for this system must be finalized by December 31, 2027, and are considered routine technical rules. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that the assignment of these limited entry licenses will be suspended until all eligible individuals who meet the new preference criteria have been offered the opportunity to obtain a license.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1353&snum=132