2013 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 12: CONSERVATION
Chapter 619: LOBSTER AND CRAB FISHING LICENSES
12 §6431-G. Vessel operation

Part 9: MARINE RESOURCES
Subpart 2: LICENSING
Subchapter 2: LIMITS ON FISHING AND PROHIBITED ACTS

6431-G. Vessel operation

1. Limitation. Except as provided in subsection 2, the holder of a Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing license may not operate a vessel for the purposes of fishing for or taking lobster other than the vessel named on the holder's lobster and crab fishing license. For the purposes of this section, "operate a vessel" means steering the vessel, operating the vessel's engine throttle or gear shift or operating the mechanism used to haul lobster traps from the water. "Operating a vessel" does not include the baiting of traps or the handling of traps once they are on board the vessel.

[ 2009, c. 394, 8 (NEW) .]

2. Exemptions. The commissioner may authorize an individual who possesses a Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing license to fish for or take lobsters from a vessel other than the vessel named on the holder's lobster and crab fishing license if:

A. A Class I, Class II or Class III license holder is temporarily prevented by illness or disability from fishing for or taking lobsters from the license holder's vessel and requests in writing to the commissioner that the commissioner authorize the individual to operate that vessel to fish for or take lobsters and tend the license holder's traps pursuant to section 6434; [2009, c. 394, 8 (NEW).]

B. The vessel named on the individual's license has become temporarily inoperable because of an accident or a mechanical failure and the individual requests in writing and is granted permission from the commissioner to use another vessel to fish for or take lobsters; or [2009, c. 394, 8 (NEW).]

C. The individual is designated as the sponsor of a student pursuant to section 6421 and is operating the vessel named on the student's license for the purposes of providing practical lobster fishing training to the student while the student is present on the vessel. [2009, c. 394, 8 (NEW).]

[ 2009, c. 394, 8 (NEW) .]

SECTION HISTORY

2009, c. 394, 8 (NEW).