1. Prohibition; Penalties. Except as provided in this section, a person may not take and possess certain nonmarine invertebrates, specifically freshwater mussels, butterflies, moths, dragonflies or beetles, from the wild for export, sale or commercial purposes.
A. A person who violates this subsection commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $ 100 nor more than $ 500 may be adjudged.
B. A person who violates this subsection after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.
2. Commercial Nonmarine Invertebrate Permit. Persons harvesting freshwater mussels, butterflies, moths, dragonflies or beetles for export, sale or commercial purposes are required to obtain a permit from the commissioner.
3. Rules. The commissioner may by rule:
A. Require reporting of commercial harvest activities, including at a minimum dates, locations and numbers collected by species;
B. Establish daily and season possession limits;
C. Establish a fee schedule to implement a permit system under this section; and
D. Require humane harvest, confinement and disposal methods.
Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Citation: 12 M.R.S. § 12161