Maine Revised Statutes Title 12. Conservation § 6436. Egg-bearing lobsters; v-notched lobsters

1. Egg-bearing and v-notched lobsters. A person may not take, transport, sell or possess:

2. Exceptions. No violation of this section shall occur if:

3. Permitted possession; regulations. The commissioner may issue a permit for the holding and delivery of egg-bearing lobsters to the department by a lobster pound owner who holds a current wholesale seafood license. The commissioner may adopt regulations governing the issuing of permits and the conditions and limitations under which these lobsters may be held and delivered.

4. Prima facie evidence.

5. Penalty for possession of egg-bearing lobsters. Possession of lobsters in violation of subsection 1, paragraph A is a Class D crime, except that in addition to any punishment that may be imposed under Title 17-A, Part 6, the court shall impose a fine of $1,000 for each violation and, in addition, a fine of $200 for each lobster involved, up to and including the first 5, and a fine of $400 for each lobster in excess of 5, or, if the number of lobsters cannot be determined, a fine of not less than $2,500 or more than $10,000.

6. Penalty for possession of v-notched lobsters. Possession of lobsters in violation of subsection 1, paragraph B is a Class D crime, except that in addition to any punishment that may be imposed under Title 17-A, Part 6, the court shall impose a fine of $500 for each violation and, in addition, a fine of $100 for each lobster involved, up to and including the first 5, and a fine of $400 for each lobster in excess of 5, or, if the number of lobsters cannot be determined, a fine of not less than $1,000 or more than $5,000.