13-188-24 Me. Code R. § 15

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Section 188-24-15 - Permit Issuance Criteria for Marine Organisms Other than Shellfish

1. The Commissioner may grant a permit to import for introduction or introduce any marine organism other than shellfish, or to possess such an organism, only if he finds to a reasonable degree of certainty that those actions will not endanger the indigenous marine life or its environment.

2. In determining whether to issue a permit, the Commissioner shall consider the potential effects of the introduction of the marine organism into the recipient area, including, but not limited to:

A. The effects of any previous introduction of the same or a similar species into the State of Maine or the effects of any previous introduction of the same or a similar species into similar ecosystems elsewhere;

B. The relationship of the species of marine organism to be introduced with other members of the recipient area ecosystem; and C. The effects of infectious or contagious diseases, pests or parasites which might be associated with the species of marine organism to be introduced upon other members of the ecosystem of the recipient area.

3. The Commissioner may include any permit conditions necessary to protect indigenous marine life or its environment, including but not limited to, quarantine of broodstock, inclusive of effluent treatment, in the recipient area, quarantine of first generation progeny individuals in isolation from the broodstock and small-scale introduction of second generation progeny individuals into the recipient area with continuing disease study.

4. The Commissioner may accept certifications provided by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that an import for introduction or introduction of finfish introduction will not endanger the indigenous marine life or its environment.

5. In determining whether to issue a finfish permit the Commissioner shall also follow the Northeast Fish Health Committee Guidelines which set forth the essential requirements for the prevention and control of finfish diseases. These include a system for inspecting fish culture facilities and the technical procedures to be used.

13-188 C.M.R. ch. 24, § 15