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An Act To Provide Guidance for the Development of Marine Fisheries Management Plans
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6171, sub-§2-A, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 404, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
 
2-A.  Management plans.     The commissioner may adopt a management plan or other policy on the conservation or regulation of marine organisms only after prior notice and public hearing and with the advice and consent of the Marine Resources Advisory Council under section 6024.
 
A.  A management plan is a guidance document, which must seek to:
 
(1) Establish management goals and a long-term vision for the relevant fishery;
 
(2) Ensure the long-term viability of the resource and the relevant fishery;
 
(3) Provide for the rebuilding of any depleted fisheries;
 
(4) Provide for future opportunities and access to the relevant fishery;
 
(5) Provide the greatest overall benefit to the State, including biological, economic and social considerations; and
 
(6) Preserve the legacy of the seafood industry in the State and its benefits to the people of the State.
 
B.  A management plan must include, to the degree possible:
 
(1) Clearly articulated management goals and objectives;
 
(2) A description of the biology of the relevant species;
 
(3) A description of the relevant fishery;
 
(4) Any available information regarding stock status;
 
(5) Current management measures;
 
(6) Any recommendations to achieve goals and objectives;
 
(7) Findings of current research and future research needs; and
 
(8) An ecosystem-based characterization of each species under consideration.
 
C.  A management plan must be developed with advice and input from the advisory council for the species for which the plan is developed, if such an advisory council exists.
 
Effective 90 days following adjournment of the 126th Legislature, First Regular Session, unless otherwise indicated.