The commissioner shall establish a program of lobster research within the Bureau of Resource Management. The purpose of this program is to develop reliable scientific information for use in management decisions. [PL 1995, c. 665, Pt. M, §1 (AMD).] 1. Research. The lobster research program shall include investigation of lobster population dynamics, reproductive behavior and migration patterns. Specific attention shall be given to evaluating the impacts of the State's v-notch program on the reproductive potential of lobster stocks. [PL 1985, c. 677, §1 (NEW).] 2. Policy investigations. The commissioner shall develop in the lobster research program the capacity to systematically analyze the effects of conservation and management options. The analysis includes both the biological and economic components of the fishery. Options for policy analysis include, without limitation, changes in the lobster measures, seasons, limitations on effort and limitations on entry to the fishery. Analysis of these options shall be conducted cooperatively with the industry and the Lobster Advisory Council. [PL 1985, c. 677, §1 (NEW).] 3. Data collection. The commissioner shall continue the lobster fisheries data collection project undertaken by the department since 1967. Continuity of data collection shall be ensured. [PL 1985, c. 677, §1 (NEW).] 4. Cooperation. The commissioner shall cooperatively develop and coordinate the lobster research program with the University of Maine and the lobster industry. [PL 1985, c. 677, §1 (NEW).] 5. Report. [PL 2011, c. 598, §14 (RP).] 6. Funds. All federal and state funds obtained and used by the department for lobster research shall be utilized to achieve the objectives of this subchapter. [PL 1985, c. 677, §1 (NEW).]
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