Atlantic Salmon Restoration

(1) Purpose. 322 CMR 6.06 is in support of the international management program for Atlantic salmon and interstate Atlantic salmon restoration programs. (2) Prohibition. It shall be unlawful to harvest, catch, take, possess, transport, sell or offer to sell any Atlantic salmon from the coastal waters of the Commonwealth or from the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. (3) Incidental Catch. All Atlantic salmon caught incidental to fisheries directed towards other species must be released in such a manner as to insure maximum probability of survival. (4) Presumption. The possession of Atlantic salmon will be prima facie evidence that such Atlantic salmon were taken in violation of 322 CMR 6.06. Evidence that such fish were harvested from foreign waters or from aquaculture enterprises will be sufficient to rebut the presumption. This presumption does not apply to fish being sorted on deck.