2012 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 12: CONSERVATION
Chapter 923: FISH: FISHING SEASONS AND RESTRICTIONS
12 §12504. Fishing derby and fishing tournament permits

Part 13: INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)

Subpart 4: FISH AND WILDLIFE HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)

Subchapter 2: LICENSE AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS AND AUTHORIZATIONS HEADING: PL 2003, C. 414, PT. A, §2 (NEW); PT. D, §7 (AFF); C. 614, §9 (AFF)

§12504. Fishing derby and fishing tournament permits

1. Permit required. Except as provided in sections 12504-A and 12505, a person may not conduct a fishing derby or fishing tournament without a valid permit issued under this section.

Each day a person violates this subsection, that person commits a Class E crime for which a minimum fine of $50 and an amount equal to twice the applicable license fee must be imposed.

[ 2005, c. 96, §1 (AMD) .]

2. Application. A person wishing to conduct a fishing derby or fishing tournament shall first make application for and obtain a permit from the commissioner. A bass tournament sponsored by a bass club in waters free of ice falls under the provisions of section 12505. A completed application for a permit must include the proposed rules, requested dates, places, times and prize structure for the derby or tournament.

[ 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF) .]

3. Rules. The commissioner shall adopt all necessary rules relative to permits to ensure that derbies and tournaments are conducted only at such times and places and in such a manner as are consistent with the fisheries management objectives of the department. Such rules must include:

A. Specifying the number of derbies or tournaments that may be conducted in a given body of water and the dates within which they may be conducted. These rules must be reviewed periodically; and [2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]

B. Fixing the maximum total value of prizes that may be awarded at each derby or tournament, except that for a derby held on Sebago Lake in Cumberland County and in conjunction with the department's fisheries management objectives, the maximum total value of prizes may not exceed $100,000. [2005, c. 495, §1 (AMD).]

[ 2005, c. 495, §1 (AMD) .]

3-A. Violation of rules; penalty. Except as provided in section 12602, the following penalties apply to violations of rules adopted under this section.

A. A person who violates a rule adopted under subsection 3 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §250 (NEW); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

B. A person who violates a rule adopted under subsection 3 after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime. [2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §250 (NEW); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF).]

[ 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §250 (NEW); 2003, c. 655, Pt. B, §422 (AFF) .]

4. Issuance. The commissioner, following a determination that an applicant has complied with all rules adopted pursuant to this section, may issue a permit to the applicant authorizing the conduct of the derby or tournament. Applicants who have conducted derbies or tournaments in the requested body of water in the past that have conformed with all rules must be given preference in the issuance of permits.

[ 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF) .]

5. Fee. The fee for a permit to conduct a fishing derby or fishing tournament is $24.

[ 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF) .]

SECTION HISTORY

2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF). 2003, c. 655, §B250 (AMD). 2003, c. 655, §B422 (AFF). 2005, c. 96, §1 (AMD). 2005, c. 495, §1 (AMD).