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97C.815 COMMERCIAL FISHING AREAS.
    Subdivision 1. Designation. The commissioner shall specify inland commercial fishing
areas, taking into account the amount, size, and proximity of waters specified, the species to
be removed, and the type and quantity of fishing gear and equipment necessary to provide
an adequate removal effort. The commissioner may change inland commercial fishing area
boundaries by rule prior to a new licensing period.
    Subd. 2. Assignment. The commissioner shall assign licensed inland commercial fishing
operators to commercial fishing areas and each operator shall be obligated to fish in the area that
the commissioner has assigned to them. The commissioner's assignment shall be valid as long as
the assigned operator continues to purchase a license, continues to provide an adequate removal
effort in a good and professional manner, and is not convicted of two or more violations of laws
or rules governing inland commercial fishing operations during any one license period. In the
operator assignment, the commissioner shall consider the proximity of the operator to the area,
the type and quantity of fish gear and equipment possessed, knowledge of the affected waters,
and general ability to perform the work well.
    Subd. 3. Unused areas. If an area is not assigned, or the operator licensed for the area is not
fishing that area, the commissioner may issue a special inland commercial fishing permit for the
area. The permit may be issued to an individual holding a valid inland commercial fishing license.
The permit must describe the specific waters involved, the county, the species to be removed, the
equipment to be used, and the time period of the total operation.
    Subd. 4. Inland Commercial Fishing Trade Association; license problems. The
commissioner shall consult with representatives of the Inland Commercial Fishing Trade
Association when disagreements arise in the areas of license issuance, problems with performance
pursuant to the license, transfers of licenses, area assignments, and the entry of new commercial
fishing operators into the inland commercial fishery.
History: 1986 c 386 art 3 s 63; 1991 c 259 s 23; 1996 c 410 s 47

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes