23:2B-3. Definitions

As used in this act:

a. "Aquaculture" means the propagation and rearing of aquatic species in controlled or selected environments;

b. "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Environmental Protection;

c. "Council" means the Marine Fisheries Council created pursuant to this act, except in those sections of this act amending sections of Title 50 of the Revised Statutes;

d. "Department" means the Department of Environmental Protection;

e. "Fish" means any marine or anadromous animal or plant, or part thereof, excepting mammals and birds;

f. "Fisheries management plans" means plans to prevent overfishing, achieve optimal yield from each fishery on a continuing basis, which are based on the best scientific information available, are in accordance with management plans promulgated pursuant to the Fisheries Conservation and Management Act of 1976 and any appropriate interstate programs, provide for the management of stock as a unit throughout their range, and allow for flexibility management; provided, however, that such plans, where practicable and feasible, give preference to the interests and concerns of fishermen in this State;

g. "Marine waters" means all the salt waters of this State, and none of the fresh waters of this State as defined in R.S. 23:1-2. Specifically it includes the waters of the Atlantic ocean, and all bays, inlets and estuarine waters located below the mouth of any fresh water river, stream or creek;

h. "Optimum yield" means the amount of fish from a fishery which will provide the greatest overall benefit to the State, with particular reference to food production and recreational opportunities, and the amount of fish which is prescribed as such on the basis of the maximum sustainable yield from such fishery as modified by any relevant economic, social or ecological factor;

i. "Processing" means handling, storing, freezing, preparing, preserving, packing, transporting, holding, or selling fish or fish products;

j. "Taking" means to catch, net, capture, possess, or collect any fish or to attempt to engage in any such conduct;

k. "Fishery" means one or more stocks of fish which can be treated as a unit for purposes of conservation and management and which are identified on the basis of geographical, scientific, technical, recreational and economic characteristics and any fishing for such stocks.

L.1979, c. 199, s. 3, eff. Sept. 19, 1979.