Maine marine officials for the first time have permanently revoked a commercial fisherman’s licenses.
Maine Department of Marine Resources officials say they have revoked 33-year-old Lucas Lemoine’s licenses after what they say is a nearly 20-year history of violations.
The scallop fisherman from Swan Island was charged this year with multiple violations of marine resources laws while he still had additional violations pending against him from 2014.
In March, Lemoine was charged with violating the law that prohibits dragging for scallops in an area with an underwater cable, dragging for scallops in a closed area, dragging for scallops at night, possession of undersized scallops and operating without navigation lights.
Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher acted on authority given him last year to permanently revoke a commercial fishing license.
“This new authority is not one I anticipate having to use often, since the vast majority of license holders voluntarily comply with our laws,” Keliher said. “But when faced with people who, like Lucas Lemoine, demonstrate a pattern of disregard for the laws that protect and sustain our valuable marine resources, I will make use of any and all authority to remove those law breakers from the water.”
Lemoine held both a scallop dragger and lobster license.
Lemoine can request an administrative hearing to contest the revocations.
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