§6140-B. Unlawful fishing, possession or sale of Atlantic salmon

1.  Prohibition.  A person may not fish for Atlantic salmon in violation of the provisions of this Part.

[PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. QQ, §9 (NEW).]

2.  Possession of parts prohibited.  A person may not possess any part of an Atlantic salmon taken from the inland or coastal waters of this State.

[PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. QQ, §9 (NEW).]

3.  Sale of Atlantic salmon prohibited.  A person may not sell or offer for sale any Atlantic salmon taken from waters of the State, except Atlantic salmon lawfully raised by means of aquaculture.

[PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. QQ, §9 (NEW).]

4.  Exemptions.  The following are exempt from the possession prohibitions of this section:

A. Atlantic salmon imported from outside the State;   [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. QQ, §9 (NEW).]

B. Atlantic salmon imported by taxidermists solely for taxidermy purposes; and   [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. QQ, §9 (NEW).]

C. Atlantic salmon raised by means of aquaculture, except that Atlantic salmon raised in a hatchery for the purpose of restoration are not exempt.   [PL 2013, c. 301, §7 (AMD).]

[PL 2013, c. 301, §7 (AMD).]

5.  Incidental catch.  An individual engaged in recreational or commercial fishing for species other than Atlantic salmon does not commit a violation of this section as long as any incidental catch of an Atlantic salmon results in an immediate liberation alive into the adjacent waters of the State.

[PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. QQ, §9 (NEW).]

6.  Penalty.  A person who violates this section commits a Class E crime, and the court shall impose an additional fine of $500, none of which may be suspended, for each Atlantic salmon unlawfully possessed.

[PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. QQ, §9 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. QQ, §9 (NEW). PL 2013, c. 301, §7 (AMD).