Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §12506, sub-§2, ķA, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and repealed and replaced by c. 655, Pt. B, §253 and affected by §422, is amended to read:

A. Eels using eel pots or weirs;

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §12506, sub-§3, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and repealed and replaced by c. 655, Pt. B, §253 and affected by §422, is amended to read:

3. Fees; transfer of permit. The minimum fee for an individual permit for alewives, suckers, lampreys and yellow perch is $42. A crew permit may be sold for alewives, suckers, lampreys and yellow perch for $100, authorizing up to 3 persons to engage in the permitted activity. The annual fee for an eel pot or weir permit is $100. An eel pot or eel weir permit is not transferable.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §12506, sub-§§4 and 6, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and repealed and replaced by c. 655, Pt. B, §253 and affected by §422, are repealed.

Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §12506, sub-§6-A is enacted to read:

6-A.__Elvers prohibition.__A person may not fish for or take elvers from inland waters.__A person who violates this subsection commits a Class E crime.

SUMMARY

This bill prohibits the fishing for or taking of eels in Maine inland waters, except by eel pot or by hook and line.