1. For purposes of this section:

a. “Shark” means any species of the order Squaliformes except species in the suborder Batoidea, and

b. “Finning” means the removal of a fin, other than the caudal fin, from a shark and not retaining the remainder of the shark's carcass.

2. No person shall engage in finning on the waters of the marine and coastal district.

3. No person shall possess shark fins in the marine and coastal district unless the proper proportion of species, number, and size of shark carcasses is also possessed.

4. The department may, until December thirty-first, two thousand thirteen, fix by regulation measures for the management of sharks, including size limits, catch and possession limits, open and closed seasons, closed areas, restrictions on the manner of taking and landing, requirements for permits and eligibility therefor, recordkeeping requirements, requirements on the amount and type of fishing effort and gear, and requirements relating to transportation, possession and sale, provided that such regulations are no less restrictive than requirements set forth in this chapter and provided further that such regulations are consistent with the compliance requirements of applicable fishery management plans adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and with applicable provisions of fishery management plans adopted pursuant to the Federal Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. § 1800 et seq.) [FN1].

CREDIT(S)

(Added L.1992, c. 231, § 2. Amended L.1999, c. 308, §§ 1, 2, eff. July 20, 1999; L.2003, c. 181, § 1, eff. July 22, 2003; L.2007, c. 141, § 1, eff. July 3, 2007; L.2011, c. 428, § 1, eff. Aug. 17, 2011.)

[FN1] So in original.

HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES

2011 Electronic Update

L.2011, c. 428 legislation

Subd. 4. L.2011, c. 428, § 1, substituted “two thousand thirteen” for “two thousand eleven”.