Maine requires elver buyers to start daily catch updates

HALLOWELL — The Maine Department of Marine Resources is taking emergency action to ensure fishermen do not exceed their catch of elvers.

The department announced Monday an emergency rule that requires buyers of elvers, or baby eels, to update their computers daily to reflect when fishermen reach their catch limits.

The state uses electronic swipe cards to track that information through sales.

Elvers make up the state’s second most valuable fishery behind lobster.

The ruling is effective Tuesday. It also clarifies that no person may possess elvers caught out of state, though elvers may be transported through the state if they are legally caught.

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