CONTACT PERSON: Laurice Churchill, Regulations Officer, Tel: (207) 633-9584

EMERGENCY RULES ADOPTED SINCE THE LAST REGULATORY AGENDA:

CHAPTER 45: Shrimp - Emergency
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171(3)
PURPOSE: To set the shrimp season for the harvest year 1999-00.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF ADOPTED RULE: 45.05 December 1, 1999
AFFECTED PARTIES: The commercial shrimp fleet and the wholesale and retail seafood industry

CHAPTER 45: Shrimp - Emergency
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171(3)
PURPOSE: To set the shrimp net restrictions.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF ADOPTED RULE: 45.10(A)(B)(E)&(F) December 1, 1999
AFFECTED PARTIES: The commercial shrimp fleet and the wholesale and retail seafood industry

CHAPTER 55: Penobscot River Fishing Closure - Emergency
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171(5), §6192, (Major Substantive)
PURPOSE: To close the area to salmon fishing.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF ADOPTED RULE: 55.58 July 1, 2000
AFFECTED PARTIES: The recreational fishermen
EXPECTED 2000-2001 RULE-MAKING ACTIVITY:

EXPECTED 2000-2001 RULE-MAKING ACTIVITY:

CHAPTER 2: Aquaculture
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6072
PURPOSE: Codification of the code of containment. To provide compliance with salmon conservation plan and industry initiatives.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Aquaculture industry

CHAPTER 2: Aquaculture
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6072-C
PURPOSE: To establish gear types, minimum standards, criteria, and rules to obtain a limited-purpose aquaculture license
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to May 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Aquaculture Industry

CHAPTER 2: Aquaculture
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6072
PURPOSE: Increase the cap for total acreage of aquaculture leases that can be held by one person from 150 to 250 acres. Corrections based on rule review for errors and inconsistencies.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Aquaculture industry

The following item was part of an amendment accepted for filing on August 30, 2001:
CHAPTER 2.37(3): Aquaculture - Emergency and Regular Rulemaking
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §§ 6171, 6171(3), 6192(4)
PURPOSE: To amend the minimum finfish lease site separation.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: September 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: New finfish aquaculture lease holders

CHAPTER 3: Foreign Fish Processing Within the State of Maine's Internal Waters
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171
PURPOSE: Clarification. This chapter currently contains the language on procedures to be used in the certification, recertification, revocation of certification of Municipal Shellfish. Conservation Wardens. This language needs to be moved into Chapter 4
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to September 2000
AFFECTED PARTIES: Municipalities with shellfish conservation programs, Municipal Shellfish Conservation Wardens, shellfish harvesters

CHAPTER 4: Procedures for Certification, Recertification, Revocation of Certification for Municipal Shellfish Conservation Wardens
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6671
PURPOSE: Provides procedures to be used in the certification, recertification, revocation of certification of Municipal Shellfish Conservation Wardens.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to September 2000
AFFECTED PARTIES: Municipalities with shellfish conservation programs, Municipal Shellfish Conservation Wardens, shellfish harvesters

CHAPTER 5: Confidentiality of Fisheries Statistics
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6071
PURPOSE: Section 5.40 Identification and Tagging of Shellfish relocated into Chapter 15 General Shellfish Sanitation and Depuration.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Licensed shellfish harvesters

CHAPTER 10: Clams and Quahogs
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171
PURPOSE: Amendments to quahog permitting and reporting requirements to be consistent with the federal management plan under Amendment 10.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Quahog harvesters

CHAPTER 11: Scallops
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171, §6856
PURPOSE: Based upon the outcome of pending research the prohibition on whole scallops is anticipated to be updated to allow availability of the product.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Scallop fishermen

CHAPTER 11: Scallops
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171-A
PURPOSE: Chapter 11 may be amended to prevent gear conflicts between lobster and scallop fishermen.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Commercial lobster and Scallop fishermen

CHAPTER 12: Mussels
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171
PURPOSE: Amendments to size restrictions and seed mussel conservation areas.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Aquaculturists

CHAPTER 15: General shellfish sanitation and depuration provisions
CHAPTER 16: Uniform physical plant equipment and operation requirement
CHAPTER 17: Shucker-packers
CHAPTER 18: Shellfish reshippers
CHAPTER 19: Shellstock shipper
CHAPTER 20: Controlled depuration
CHAPTER 21: Relaying
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6856
PURPOSE: Outlines the requirements for all shellfish operations and protects the health and safety of the consumer by preventing the sale and distribution of shellfish that are unsafe for human consumption.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Shellfish dealers, harvesters and consumers

CHAPTER 22: Shellfish Culture in Closed Areas
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6856 and 5 MRSA §9051
PURPOSE: Establish the conduct of shellfish culture in closed areas and the transfer of shellfish from closed areas to open areas for the purpose of relaying and transfer.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Shellfish dealers, aquaculturists

CHAPTER 24: Importation of Live Marine Organisms
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6071
PURPOSE: Chapter 24 will be amended to prevent the introduction of infectious or contagious type organisms that pose a danger to indigenous marine life or its environment.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Any person seeking an importation permit

CHAPTER 24: Importation of Live Marine Organisms
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6071
PURPOSE: To update the fish health guidelines. To update shellfish guidelines for wild and aquaculture industry.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to January 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: The aquaculture industry

The following item was part of an amendment accepted for filing on August 30, 2001:
CHAPTER 24.21: Salmonid Fish Health Inspection Regulations - Emergency and Regular Rulemaking
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §§ 6171, 6171(3), 6192(4)
PURPOSE: To require surveillance monitoring of the disease ISAV by aquaculturists and restrict vessel and equipment movement to reduce the spread of this disease.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: September 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Finfish aquaculture industry

CHAPTER 25: Lobster and Crab
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §§6171, 6171 (2-A)
PURPOSE: Set the annual Monhegan Island Lobster Conservation Area (MILCA) season (2000 -2001).
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to December 1, 2000
AFFECTED PARTIES: Lobster harvesters registered in the MILCA.

CHAPTER 25: Lobster and Crab
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6446, §6447, and §6171
PURPOSE: To adopt lobster trap limits, number of traps per trawl, the periods allowed for complying with the trap limit and the time of day when fishing may occur as established by lobster management zones referendum on policy proposals. To adapt trap tag limits in Swans Island Conservation Area.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Present and future lobster harvesters

CHAPTER 25: Lobster and Crab
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6448(2)
PURPOSE: License entry eligibility requirements per zone.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Present and future lobster harvesters

CHAPTER 25: Lobster and Crab
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171
PURPOSE: To comply with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Amendment #3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Lobster.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Present and future lobster harvesters

CHAPTER 25: Lobster and Crab
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171, §6171-A
PURPOSE: Implementation of emergency rules, repeal of rules replaced by laws and corrections based on rules review for errors and inconsistencies.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Present and future lobster harvesters

CHAPTER 25: Lobster and Crab
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6446
PURPOSE: To resolve boundary line disputes.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Present and future lobster harvesters

CHAPTER 25: Lobster and Crab
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6451
PURPOSE: To update the seed lobster fund guidelines to issue seed lobster permits.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Present and future lobster harvesters

CHAPTER 25: Lobster and Crab
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6431-A and §6431-B
PURPOSE: To update the lobster tag system for consistency with the boat trap limit.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Present and future lobster harvesters

The following item was part of an amendment accepted for filing on September 12, 2001:
CHAPTER 25.40: Green Crabs - Emergency Regulations
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §§ 6808, 6810, 6431-B and 5 MRSA §8054
PURPOSE: To establish harvest methods, fishing limitations and reporting requirements for green crab only licenses pursuant to emergency statute, effective July 1,2001.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: July 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Green crab harvesters and municipalities with shellfish programs

The following item was part of an amendment accepted for filing on September 12, 2001:
CHAPTER 25.40: Green Crabs
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §§ 6171, 6808, 6810, 6431 -13 and 5 MRSA §8052
PURPOSE: To establish by regular rule-making harvest methods, fishing limitations and reporting requirements for green crab only licenses pursuant to emergency statute, effective July 1, 2001.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: September 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Green crab harvesters and municipalities with shellfish programs

CHAPTER 26: Sea Urchin Harvesting Season
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §§6749-W, 6749-V
PURPOSE: The commissioner may amend the season to reallocate the days available for fishing, or to reflect spawning conditions. Designate the open days for the sea urchin fishery in Zones 1 and 2.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Sea urchin harvesters, buyers, processors

CHAPTER 26: Design Requirements for Sea Urchin Drags
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6748-C, §6171
PURPOSE: To minimize damage to habitat by sea urchin drags.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Sea Urchin harvesters

CHAPTER 26: Logbooks for Buyers and Processors
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §§6749-S, 6749-W(1), 6749-X(1)
PURPOSE: To establish logbooks for buyers and processor, reporting requirements and zone council membership changes.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Sea urchin harvesters, buyers, processors

CHAPTER 26: Sea Urchin Conservation Areas
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171
PURPOSE: To establish a conservation area off Two Lights, Cape Elizabeth for the purpose of research on reseeding of urchins in an over harvested area.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Sea urchin harvesters, buyers, processors

CHAPTER 26: Sea Urchin Drag Regulation
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171
PURPOSE: To clarify that possession of sea urchins, in addition to the fishing and taking of sea urchins, would not be allowed using drags greater than 5 feet 6 inches.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Draggers

The following item was part of an amendment accepted for filing on August 30, 2001:
CHAPTER 26: Sea Urchin License Lottery
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §§ 6749 and 6171
PURPOSE: Amend the lottery system based on changes to statutes in 2001.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Fall 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Sea urchin harvesters

CHAPTER 27: Sea Cucumbers
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171, §6171-B(6), §6812
PURPOSE: Establish emerging fishery requirements: access permits, endorsements, reporting requirements and conservation measures. Drag size- statutory authority.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Sea cucumber harvesters, buyers, processors

CHAPTER 27: Sea Cucumbers
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6812
PURPOSE: Establish drag configuration.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to October 1, 2000
AFFECTED PARTIES: Sea cucumber harvesters, buyers and processors

CHAPTER 29: Seaweed
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171, §6803(1)
PURPOSE: Establish permit requirements, harvesting and conservation measures.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to October 1, 2000
AFFECTED PARTIES: Seaweed Harvesters

CHAPTER 30: Alewives
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171
PURPOSE: To conserve and manage river herring stocks in Maine coastal waters; proposed rules will consider closed areas, closed seasons, gear restriction and/or creel limits. The rules adopted as necessary to meet state goals and requirements of the ASMFC Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for Shad and River Herring.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Commercial and recreational river herring fishermen

CHAPTER 30: Alewives
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171, §6171-A
PURPOSE: Implementation of emergency rules, repeal of rules replaced by laws and corrections based on rules review for errors and inconsistencies. Repromulgate rules enacted prior to 1979.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Commercial and recreational shad and river herring fishermen

CHAPTER 32: Eels
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171
PURPOSE: To amend reporting requirements for elver harvesters to include fishing effort.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to February, 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Elver harvesters

CHAPTER 32: Eels
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §§ 6171, 6171-A, 6191 and 6192
PURPOSE: To establish limitations on the taking of eels as to time, method, number(25/day maximum), weight, length or location, reporting requirements and enforcement criteria for compliance with ASMFC interstate management plan. Implementation of emergency rules, repeal of rules replaced by laws and corrections based on rules review for errors and inconsistencies.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Commercial and recreational eel fishermen

CHAPTER 32: Elver License Lottery
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §§ 6505-A(2-A)(B)
PURPOSE: To establish a lottery system for the issuance of elver licenses pursuant to this statute.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to 2001 season start March 22, 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Elver harvesters

CHAPTER 34: Groundfish
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171
PURPOSE: To conserve and protect the decreased groundfish stocks by adjusting the minimum size to conform to the more restrictive federal Fisheries Management Plan restrictions. ASMFC compliance measures for summer flounder and winter flounder
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Commercial and recreational groundfish fishermen

CHAPTER 36: Herring
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171, §6171 (2-A)
PURPOSE: Amend regulations as necessary to conform to the joint New England Fisheries Management Council and Atlantic States Fisheries Management Council herring plans.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Herring harvesters and processors

CHAPTER 36: Herring
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171, §6171-A
PURPOSE: Implementation of emergency rules, repeal of rules replaced by laws and corrections based on rules review for errors and inconsistencies.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Bait dealers, lobstermen

CHAPTER 39: Atlantic Sturgeon
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171, §6171-A
PURPOSE: Amend regulations to comply with ASMFC interstate fisheries management plan.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Recreational Fishermen

CHAPTER 40: Smelts
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171, §6171-A
PURPOSE: To conserve and manage rainbow smelt stocks on the coast of Maine; regulations will be proposed as necessary to conserve stocks by using closed seasons, gear restrictions, creel limits and closed areas for spawning. Implementation of emergency rules, repeal of rules replaced by laws and corrections based on rules review for errors and inconsistencies.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Commercial and recreational smelt fishermen

CHAPTER 41: Atlantic Mehaden
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171, §6171-A
PURPOSE: Amend regulations to comply with the ASMFC interstate fisheries management plan.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Recreational Fishermen

CHAPTER 42: Striped Bass
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §§6171 and 6556-A
PURPOSE: To conserve and manage striped bass throughout their Atlantic coast range and restore spawning populations to Maine rivers; adjustment of creel limits, minimum size, closed areas/seasons, and/or gear restrictions will be adopted as necessary to conform to the ASMFC Interstate Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Recreational striped bass fishermen

CHAPTER 43: Bluefish
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171
PURPOSE: To conserve and enhance bluefish stocks throughout their Atlantic coast range by adjusting creel limits, minimum size, reporting requirements and/or imposing gear restrictions to conform to the ASMFC Bluefish Interstate Management Plan.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Commercial and recreational bluefish fishermen

CHAPTER 44: American Shad
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171
PURPOSE: To conserve and manage American shad stocks in Maine coastal waters; proposed rules will consider closed areas, closed seasons, gear restriction and/or creel limits. The rules adopted as necessary to meet state goals and requirements of the ASMFC Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for Shad and River Herring.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Commercial and recreational shad fishermen

CHAPTER 45: Shrimp
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171
PURPOSE: To set the shrimp season for the harvest year 2000-2001.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to December 1, 2000
AFFECTED PARTIES: The commercial shrimp fleet and the wholesale and retail seafood industry

CHAPTER 45: Shrimp
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171(3)
PURPOSE: Chapter 45 will be amended to allow for the changes made to the Maine Shrimp Management by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to December 1, 2000
AFFECTED PARTIES: Commercial shrimp fishermen

The following item was part of an amendment accepted for filing on August 30, 2001:
CHAPTER 45: Shrimp
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §§ 6171, 6171-A
PURPOSE: To set the shrimp season for the harvest year 2001-2002 and review fixed and mobile gear start dates.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Fall 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: The commercial shrimp fleet and the wholesale and retail seafood industry

CHAPTER 46: Maine Salmonid Production Quality Assurance Program
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6021-A
PURPOSE: Repeal the Maine Salmonid Production Quality Assurance Program.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Salmon processors

CHAPTER 47: Maine Mussel Select Grade Standard Program
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6021-A
PURPOSE: Repeal the Maine mussel select grade standard program and establish voluntary grade standards and requirements for the production of a select grade of Maine mussel shellstock.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Mussel dealers, consumers

The following item was part of an amendment accepted for filing on August 30, 2001:
CHAPTER 48: Identification and Tagging of Shellfish
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171
PURPOSE: Relocate rules to similar shellfish tagging sections in Chapters 15 - 22.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: September 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Shellfish dealers, harvesters, consumers

CHAPTER 55: Gear Restrictions
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171-A, §6192
PURPOSE: Amend chapter 55 to prevent conflict between different fisheries. Penobscot River fishing closure to salmon fishing.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Fishermen

CHAPTER 55: Gear Restrictions
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171, §6171-A, §6171(5)
PURPOSE: Implementation of emergency rules, repeal of rules replaced by laws and corrections based on rules review for errors and inconsistencies. Establish a fishing closure to prevent the take of salmon below the Veazie dam on the Penobscot River.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to October 1, 2000
AFFECTED PARTIES: Commercial fishermen

CHAPTER 95: Closed Polluted Areas
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6172
PURPOSE: Chapter 95 will be amended to establish closures and openings of waters that contain consumable marine organisms which is or may become contaminated or polluted.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: All recreational and commercial fisheries

NEW CHAPTER: Sharks
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171
PURPOSE: To implement measures which conform to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Sharks of the Atlantic Ocean (FMP) in territorial seas through limits on commercial and recreational fisheries.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Commercial and recreational shark fishermen

NEW CHAPTER: Dogfish
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171
PURPOSE: To implement measures which conform with interstate fisheries management plans or the NMFS Fishery Management Plan for Dogfish in territorial seas through limits on commercial and recreational fisheries.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Commercial and recreational dogfish harvesters

NEW CHAPTER: Horseshoe Crab
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6171
PURPOSE: To implement measures which conform to interstate fisheries management plan regarding reporting, possession, and conservation measures.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Harvesters.

NEW CHAPTER: Shellfish Sanitation and Hazards Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) provisions
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 12 MRSA §6856
PURPOSE: Outlines the requirements for shellfish processors and protects the health and safety of the consumer by preventing the sale and distribution of shellfish that are unsafe for human consumption. Establish consistency with the Food and Drug Administration, National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP).
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE: Prior to August 2001
AFFECTED PARTIES: Wholesale shellfish processors