MA H979

Creates a new marine special activity license program under Chapter 130 of the General Laws for oceanic scientific research, including aquaculture, mariculture, environmental study, biological collection, and educational collection

Eligible license holders include principal investigators at educational institutions, staff at marine research institutes, government agency scientific staff, and certified aquaculture facility personnel

Director must evaluate applications based on 16 criteria including species biological status, harvest quotas, location impacts, and applicant compliance history, with a risk-averse approach required when stock assessments are unavailable

License holders must submit activity reports detailing all marine organisms attracted or harvested (species names, numbers, sizes, locations, disposition) plus copies of any resulting publications or research reports

Non-refundable processing fee to be determined annually by the Secretary of Administration and Finance