AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage has signed emergency legislation that increases fines for elver fishing violations.

The new law carries $2,000 fines for fishing without a license, tampering with elver fishing gear or using untagged gear, and it includes license suspensions for second offenses.

With fishermen receiving up to $2,000 a pound for baby American eels, Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher said the law should act as a deterrent to illegal fishing activity.

Fishermen catch the eels in fine-mesh nets as they swim up rivers and streams each spring.

Fishermen last year received $891 per pound on average for their catch, with prices this year starting out at more than double that.