Section 6506 - Commercial halibut fishing license1.License required. Beginning January 1, 2023, a person may not engage in the activities authorized under this section without a current: A. Commercial halibut fishing license for a resident operator; [2021, c. 627, §5(NEW).]B. Commercial halibut fishing license for a resident operator and all crew members; [2021, c. 627, §5(NEW).]C. Commercial halibut fishing license for a nonresident operator and all crew members; or [2021, c. 627, §5(NEW).]D. Commercial halibut fishing license for an operator with a federal northeast multispecies groundfish permit authorizing halibut fishing for the operator and all crew members. [2021, c. 627, §5(NEW).] [2021, c. 627, §5(NEW).]
2.Licensed activity; commercial license. The holder of a commercial halibut fishing license issued under subsection 1 may fish for, take, possess, ship, transport or sell halibut that the holder has taken. Crew members aboard a license holders vessel may fish for, take, possess, ship or transport halibut only if the license provides for crew members. [2021, c. 627, §5(NEW).]
3.Eligibility. A commercial halibut fishing license issued under subsection 1 may be issued only to an individual. [2021, c. 627, §5(NEW).]
4.Fees. Fees for commercial halibut fishing licenses issued under subsection 1 are as follows: A. For a commercial halibut fishing license for a resident operator, $48; [2021, c. 627, §5(NEW).]B. For a commercial halibut fishing license for a resident operator and all crew members, $128; [2021, c. 627, §5(NEW).]C. For a commercial halibut fishing license for a nonresident operator and all crew members, $481; and [2021, c. 627, §5(NEW).]D. For a commercial halibut fishing license for an operator with a federal northeast multispecies groundfish permit authorizing halibut fishing for the operator and all crew members, $2. [2021, c. 627, §5(NEW).] The commissioner shall deposit fees collected pursuant to this subsection in the Halibut Fund established under section 6039.
[2021, c. 627, §5(NEW).]
5.Halibut tags. The holder of a commercial halibut fishing license issued under subsection 1 must annually purchase halibut tags to fish for or take halibut. A license holder may purchase an allotment of halibut tags only once per year. A vessel may have only one license holders tags assigned to that vessel. The commissioner shall establish by rule the maximum number of halibut tags that may be issued to a license holder per year, and may establish up to 2 options for the number of tags a license holder may purchase. The commissioner may establish a fee, not to exceed $4 per tag, for each purchase option. Unless otherwise specified in routine technical rules adopted by the commissioner pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A, the following fees apply to halibut tags: A. For 10 halibut tags, $10; and [2021, c. 627, §5(NEW).]B. For 25 halibut tags, $100. [2021, c. 627, §5(NEW).] The commissioner shall deposit fees collected pursuant to this subsection in the Halibut Fund established under section 6039.
[2021, c. 627, §5(NEW).]
6.License exemption. Notwithstanding subsection 1, a person may fish for, take, possess or transport a halibut without a license if the person has fished for or taken the halibut by tub trawl or by hook and line and if the halibut is only for personal use. [2023, c. 207, §14(NEW).]
7.Violation. A person who violates this section commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. [2023, c. 207, §15(NEW).]
8.Rules. The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. [2023, c. 207, §16(NEW).]
Amended by 2023SP1, c. 207,§ 16, eff. 10/25/2023.Amended by 2023SP1, c. 207,§ 15, eff. 10/25/2023.Amended by 2023SP1, c. 207,§ 14, eff. 10/25/2023.Added by 2022, c. 627,§ 5, eff. 8/8/2022.