CHAPTER 177
H.P. 362 - L.D. 507
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, effective management and conservation of Maine's sea urchin industry require certain measures to be in place before the opening of the 1997-98 sea urchin harvesting season; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6749-Q, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 740, §3, is amended to read:
The following surcharges are assessed on licenses sold for calendar years 1995, 1996, and 1997 and 1998:
Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §6749-R, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 740, §3, is amended to read:
1. Uses of the fund. The commissioner shall use the fund for research directly related to sea urchin fishery management information needs and for reporting to licensed sea urchin harvesters, boat tenders, processors and buyers on the results of research and the use of fund revenues. The purpose of that research must be to determine, with the highest reliability possible given available resources, the greatest level of effort that may be applied to the sea urchin fishery without harming the long-term economic and biological sustainability of the sea urchin fishery. The commissioner shall consult with the Sea Urchin Zone Council under section 6749-X before deciding upon research projects and awarding grants from the fund.
Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §6749-R, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 740, §3, is amended to read:
3. Reports. The commissioner shall submit an interim and a final report on expenditures from the fund and research findings to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resource matters. An interim report must be submitted by July 1, 1996. A 2nd interim report must be submitted by January 1, 1998. A final report must be submitted by January 1, 1998 1999.
Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §6749-W, sub-§2, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 595, §5 and affected by §6, is amended to read:
A. One hundred and fifty Up to 150 days between August 1st and April 30th of the following calendar year during which a person may fish for or take sea urchins by hand, trap or rake. The commissioner is not required to designate the days in consecutive order; and
Sec. 5. 12 MRSA §6749-W, sub-§3, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 595, §5 and affected by §6, is amended to read:
A. One hundred and seventy Up to 170 days between August 1st and April 30th of the following calendar year during which a person may fish for or take sea urchins by hand, trap or rake. The commissioner is not required to designate the days in consecutive order; and
Sec. 6. 12 MRSA §6749-W, sub-§§4 and 5 are enacted to read:
4. Limitation on approving zone changes. The commissioner may not authorize a zone change between August 1st and December 31st.
5. Effective date of zone change. The effective date of a zone change authorized by the commissioner is August 1st.
Sec. 7. 12 MRSA §6749-X, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 595, §5, is amended to read:
3. Purpose. The council shall make recommendations to the commissioner concerning the designation of open days for the harvesting of sea urchins by handfishing, dragging, hand-raking and trapping pursuant to section 6749-W. :
A. The designation of open days for the harvesting of sea urchins by handfishing, dragging, hand-raking and trapping pursuant to section 6749-W;
B. Research projects and grants funded by the Sea Urchin Research Fund under section 6749-R; and
C. Other matters of interest to the sea urchin fishery.
Sec. 8. Allocation. The following funds are allocated from Other Special Revenue to carry out the purposes of this Act.
1997-98 1998-99
MARINE RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF
Resource Management- Bureau of
All Other $180,000 $180,000
Allocates funds for the continuation of the Sea Urchin Research Fund.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.
Effective May 15, 1997.
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