Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6801-A is enacted to read:

§6801-A.__Sea cucumber drag license

1.__License required.__A person may not engage in the activities authorized under this section without a current sea cucumber drag license.__A sea cucumber drag license must list the documentation or registration number of the vessel to be used by the licensee when dragging.

2.__Licensed activities.__The holder of a sea cucumber drag license may use the vessel named on the holder's license to drag for sea cucumbers.__The license also authorizes the captain and crew members aboard the vessel named on the license to drag for and possess, ship, transport and sell sea cucumbers, except that the captain and crew members may not drag for sea cucumbers if the license holder is not aboard the vessel.

3.__Exemptions.__Notwithstanding subsection 2, the commissioner may authorize a person to fish for or take sea cucumbers from a vessel when the person holding a sea cucumber drag license that contains the name of that vessel is not on board if:

A.__The holder of the sea cucumber drag license documents to the commissioner that an illness or disability temporarily prevents the license holder from fishing for or taking sea cucumbers from that vessel and requests in writing to the commissioner that the commissioner authorize another person to use that vessel to fish for or take sea cucumbers from the vessel; or

B.__The vessel named on the license of a license holder is temporarily inoperable because of an accident or a mechanical failure and the license holder requests in writing to the commissioner that the commissioner authorize the license holder to use another vessel to fish for or take sea cucumbers.

4.__Eligibility.__A sea cucumber drag license may be issued only to an individual.

5.__Fee.__The fee for a sea cucumber drag license is $111.

6.__Violation.__A person who commits a violation under this section commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not less than $100 may be adjudged.