The attorney general, on his own initiative or at the request of the commissioner, shall prosecute persons who violate article twenty-five. In addition the attorney general, on his own initiative or at the request of the commissioner, shall have the right to recover a civil penalty of up to ten thousand dollars for every violation of any provision of such article, and to seek equitable relief to restrain any violation or threatened violation of such article and to require the restoration of any affected tidal wetland or area immediately adjacent thereto to its condition prior to the violation, insofar as that is possible, within a reasonable time and under the supervision of the commissioner. In the case of a continuing violation, each day's continuance thereof shall be deemed a separate and distinct violation.