Taking of escallops in Groton

The town council of Groton may prohibit the taking of escallops from such portions of the waters of said town as they designate, for a period not exceeding one year at a time, and may designate the daily take of escallops from said waters not to exceed fifteen bushels per person or fifteen bushels per boat if more than one person is carried on said boat. When the council designates any place or places in said waters from which such taking is prohibited, they shall cause to be published, at least twice in a newspaper having a circulation in said town and at least ten days before such prohibition takes effect, a notice describing the place or places upon which and the period for which such prohibition is to be operative, and shall post copies of such notices, signed by the council, upon the shores adjacent to such places. No person shall, at any time, take escallops from said waters without having first obtained a permit issued by the council or any persons designated by it. Permits shall be issued for the taking of any amount up to the daily limit upon application and the payment of fifteen cents per bushel and shall be dated as of the day of issue or such other day during the open season as the applicant may designate. Permits shall be valid only for the day designated thereon. A season permit shall be issued by the council upon application and the payment of ten dollars and shall allow the taking of the daily limit for each day of the open season. The council shall designate special officers for the enforcement of this section, who shall receive compensation on a per diem basis. All moneys collected under the provisions of this section shall be used by the council for the protection, conservation and propagation of escallops and other shellfish in the town waters. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than two hundred fifty dollars and the court may order that a permit shall not be issued to such person to take escallops in the waters of the town of Groton for the remainder of the open season.