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MaineLD 1176132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act to Provide for the Sustainable Management of Marine Resources and Create a Noncommercial Northern Shrimp License

Sponsored By: Holly Eaton (Democratic)

Became Law

FISHFISH - FISHERIES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Limits and eligibility for commercial shrimpers

Commercial shrimp license applicants must name their vessel on the application. You cannot change that vessel during the license year unless you sell and replace it, it is under repair for at least one month, or it is lost or destroyed. Only an individual can hold a commercial northern shrimp license. The commissioner may limit the number of commercial licenses when Maine’s total allowable catch is under 2,000 metric tons. Before starting those rules, the agency must consult with shrimp harvesters and seafood businesses.

New endorsement rules for emerging fisheries

The law sets up endorsements for emerging fisheries and defines an emerging fishery as commercial fishing for any marine organism except herring and groundfish. The Commissioner, with the Marine Resources Advisory Council, can require an endorsement when a species or its habitat faces rising pressure or a new species is becoming established, and harvesters may ask for a sustainability review. An endorsement appears on your commercial license and lets you harvest, possess, transport, and sell that species. The state cannot charge a fee for the endorsement. You must have the right license and endorsement to fish, move, or sell that species for business; personal-use activity does not need the endorsement.

Shrimp licenses: activities and fees

A commercial northern shrimp license lets you fish for, take, possess, ship, transport, and sell shrimp you catch. Some commercial license types also let unlicensed crew work on the declared vessel. A resident noncommercial license lets you fish and transport shrimp you catch, but you may not sell them. Fees are set at $38 for a resident commercial license, $103 for a resident commercial with crew, $385 for a nonresident commercial with crew, and $20 for a resident noncommercial license.

Personal-use shrimping for Maine residents

The law creates a resident noncommercial northern shrimp license. It lets you fish for, take, possess, ship, and transport shrimp you catch, but you may not sell them. You also do not need any license to take up to one standard fish tote of shrimp for personal use. This no‑license option does not apply if the commissioner has suspended your ability to get a commercial shrimp license.

More funding for shrimp management

Most shrimp license fees are deposited in the Shrimp Management Fund. From the $38 resident commercial fee, $33 goes to the Fund; from the $103 resident with crew, $89; from the $385 nonresident with crew, $334; from the $20 resident noncommercial, $20. The Fund can also receive money from any other source.

Fines for breaking shrimp rules

If you violate the northern shrimp licensing rules, you face a civil fine of $100 to $500 for each violation.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Holly Eaton

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 244

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/3/2025Senate

  3. PASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/3/2025House

  4. Report READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCEUnder suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED, in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.

    6/2/2025Senate

  5. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/2/2025House

  6. Carried over, in the same posture, to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 519.

    3/21/2025House

  7. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on MARINE RESOURCES in concurrence

    3/20/2025Senate

  8. Committee on Marine Resources suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on MARINE RESOURCES.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    3/20/2025House

Bill Text

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