§ 12 §6957 — Fishing near floating equipment

1.
Prohibition.
A person may not operate a vessel using drags, otter trawls, pair trawls, beam trawls, scottish seines or midwater trawls to fish for or take finfish, shellfish, sea urchins or any other marine organisms within 300 feet of any suspended culture floating cages, tray racks or other floating equipment authorized in a lease issued by the commissioner under section 6072, 6072‑A or 6072‑B, or a license issued under section 6072‑C, if the equipment is marked in accordance with subsection 1‑A.
1-A.
Markings.
The owner of a suspended culture floating cage, tray rack or other floating equipment shall mark the area in which a vessel is prohibited under subsection 1 with at least 4 anchors, each marked by a yellow buoy at least 2 feet in diameter.
2.
Penalty.
A violation of subsection 1 is a Class D crime. In addition to any other authorized sentencing alternative, the court shall impose a minimum fine of $1,000 that may not be suspended.

Legislative History

PL 1993, c. 723, §1 (NEW). PL 1995, c. 169, §2 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 615, §22 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 113, Pt. C, §15 (AMD).