An Act To Preserve the Integrity of Maine's Shellfish Industry by Increasing the Penalty for Interfering with Permitted Harvest

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6674,  as amended by PL 2009, c. 229, §18, is further amended to read:

§ 6674. Interference with municipal shellfish aquaculture permit

A person may not knowingly interfere with the ability of a person who holds a municipal shellfish aquaculture permit from carrying to carry out the privileges granted to the permittee under that permit. Except for the permittee, a person may not take disturb or molest any shellfish in an the intertidal zone in the area that is included in a municipal shellfish aquaculture permit. A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 $500 nor more than $500 $2,000 may be adjudged.

SUMMARY

This bill increases the fine for a person who commits a civil violation of interfering with the ability of a person who holds a municipal shellfish aquaculture permit to carry out the privileges granted under the permit. The fine is changed from not less than $100 nor more than $500 to not less than $500 nor more than $2,000. The bill specifies that the area in which the interference is prohibited is the intertidal zone in the area that is included in the permit. The bill also clarifies that the prohibited action includes disturbing or molesting shellfish, not only the taking of shellfish.