An Act To Create The Commercial Fishing Safety Fund To Further Develop Training And Provide Equipment To Recover Ships And Other Watercraft And Persons In Distress Or Lost At Sea

LD 1708 creates the Commercial Fishing Safety Fund within Maine's Department of Marine Resources. The fund will support safety training for commercial fishermen and provide equipment for search and rescue operations, including recovering vessels and people in distress at sea. Funding can come from donations, and unspent money will carry over to the next fiscal year without lapsing. The department must consult the Commercial Fishing Safety Council before using fund resources for safety or recovery activities.