(1) A person is guilty of violating commercial fishing area or time in the second degree if the person acts for commercial purposes and takes, fishes for, possesses, delivers, or receives fish or shellfish:
(a) At a time not authorized by statute or rule;
(b) From an area that was closed to the taking of such fish or shellfish for commercial purposes by statute or rule; or
(c) If such fish or shellfish do not conform to the special restrictions or physical descriptions established by rule of the department.
(2) A person is guilty of violating commercial fishing area or time in the first degree if the person commits the act described by subsection (1) of this section and:
(a) The person acted with knowledge that the area or time was not open to the taking or fishing of fish or shellfish for commercial purposes; and
(b) The violation involved two hundred fifty dollars or more worth of fish or shellfish.
(3)(a) Violating commercial fishing area or time in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor.
(b) Violating commercial fishing area or time in the first degree is a class C felony.
[ 2001 c 253 § 44; 1999 c 258 § 10; 1998 c 190 § 40.]