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MaineLD 1548132nd Maine Legislature (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

An Act to Prevent the Introduction or Transfer of Invasive Fish Species in Inland Waters of the State

Sponsored By: Russell J. Black (Republican)

Became Law

FISHFISH - NONINDIGENOUS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.

Permits and fines for moving live fish

You must have a state permit to import, stock, or possess live fish or eggs. You also need a permit to put fish or eggs into inland waters or private ponds, and to take and transport live fish for breeding or advertising. Doing any of these without a permit is a Class E crime with fines from $1,000 to $10,000. If you illegally stock inland waters or a private pond, the court also orders you to repay the department’s costs to fix the water (labor, equipment, chemicals, and related) and to show proof of payment. The transport rule does not cover baitfish, smelts, or Atlantic salmon used in commercial aquaculture.

Ban on dumping live baitfish

You may not dump live baitfish or smelts into inland waters. A violation is a civil offense with a $100 to $500 fine. After three or more civil violations in the past five years, the next one becomes a Class E crime.

Harsher and broader fishing license suspensions

The law increases the mandatory suspension to 10 years when you are convicted of illegally importing, stocking, transporting, or possessing live freshwater fish or eggs. This mandatory suspension does not apply to cases involving live bait fish or smelts. The Commissioner can also suspend or revoke your license for taking fish with explosives or poison, for fishing while your license is revoked, and for illegally possessing live fish.

Stricter fish permits, salmon aquaculture exempt

Permit applications must include a statement from a certified fish health inspector, a certified fish pathologist, or a licensed accredited veterinarian that the fish or eggs are free of listed diseases (for example, viral hemorrhagic septicemia, infectious pancreatic necrosis, and infectious hematopoietic necrosis). Before issuing permits, the Commissioner must review fish health, habitat, and population risks and find no unreasonable risk. The Commissioner cannot adopt rules or issue permits for commercial Atlantic salmon aquaculture in coastal or land‑based facilities, or for the Atlantic salmon restoration program.

Limited restocking permits for towns

The Commissioner can give a town or county a limited permit to restock a great pond it oversees if the state stocked it before and stopped before January 1, 2019 due to poor public access. Only the same species may be used, and the town must buy fish or eggs from an in‑state commercial facility that meets department testing and health rules. The town must also provide hand‑carry boat access, parking, and signs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Russell J. Black

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • James Thorne

    Republican • House

  • Richard Mason

    Republican • House

  • Stephen Wood

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. ACTPUB Chapter 343

    5/1/2026

  2. PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.

    6/11/2025Senate

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

    6/10/2025House

  4. CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-312).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    6/9/2025House

  5. Report READ and ACCEPTED.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (S-312) READ and ADOPTED.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-312).Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.

    6/9/2025Senate

  6. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.

    4/10/2025House

  7. Committee on INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence

    4/10/2025Senate

Bill Text

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