§187A-1 Definitions. As used in this subtitle, unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Aquaculture" means the farming or ranching of aquatic life in a controlled salt, brackish, or fresh water environment; provided that the farm or ranch is on or directly adjacent to land.

"Aquatic life" means any type or species of mammal, fish, amphibian, reptile, mollusk, crustacean, arthropod, invertebrate, coral, or other animal that inhabits the freshwater or marine environment and includes any part, product, egg, or offspring thereof; or freshwater or marine plants, including seeds, roots, products, and other parts thereof.

"Board" means the board of land and natural resources.

"Commercial marine dealer" means any person who sells or exchanges, or who is an agent in the transfer of marine life obtained directly from a commercial marine licensee, or any commercial marine licensee who sells or exchanges marine life at retail.

"Commercial marine license" means a license issued to take marine life within or outside the State for commercial purpose.

"Commercial marine licensee" means a person who has been issued a commercial marine license pursuant to section 189-2.

"Commercial purpose" means the taking of marine life for profit or gain or as a means of livelihood where the marine life is taken in or outside of the State, or where the marine life is sold, offered for sale, landed, or transported for sale anywhere in the State.

"Department" means the department of land and natural resources.

"Fishing" or "to fish" means catching, taking, or harvesting, or attempting to catch, take, or harvest, aquatic life. The use of a pole, line, hook, net, trap, spear, or other gear which is designed to catch, take, or harvest aquatic life, by any person who is in the water, or in a vessel on the water, or on or about the shore where aquatic life can be caught, taken, or harvested, shall be deemed to be fishing.

"Marine life" means any type or species of saltwater fish, shellfish, mollusks, crustaceans, coral, or other marine animals, including any part, product, egg, or offspring thereof; or seaweeds or other marine plants, including any part, product, seed, or root thereof.

"Qualified aquaculturist" means a person, or association of persons, actively engaged in aquaculture farming, aquaculture produce processing, or aquaculture product development activities. [L 1985, c 94, pt of §1; am L 1991, c 160, §§1, 4]