Sec. 3. Report on fishing rights for migratory fish. The Commissioner of Marine Resources shall submit a report, no later than January 31, 2007, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resources matters regarding the feasibility of the extension of municipal rights to take alewives to include the right to take other migratory fish, including, but not limited to, American shad and rainbow smelt. The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resources matters may report out a bill to the First Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature in response to the report.

SUMMARY

This bill requires the Commissioner of Marine Resources to grant the right to take alewives to any municipality that meets certain conditions. Current law requires that municipal rights to take alewives lapse if not exercised for 3 years. This bill eliminates that restriction. The bill also clarifies that any municipality that has the right to take alewives is authorized to collect fees from the sale or lease of alewife fishing rights. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Marine Resources to report on extending municipal rights to take alewives to include the right to take other migratory fish.