§ 10-419. Commercial use of dead seals prohibited

   (a) In general. -- It is unlawful to import into the State for commercial purposes, to possess with intent to sell, or to sell the dead body or a part or product of a seal.

(b) Exemption. -- This section does not prohibit the sale or possession with intent to sell of a part or product of a seal when the seller can demonstrate that the part or product was imported prior to July 1, 1973. It does not prohibit the sale of a part or product of a seal by an individual not normally engaging in this type of commercial sale, as long as the part or product was originally possessed and used by the seller for the seller's own private purposes. This section does not prohibit the importation of a seal or a part or product of a seal as long as the importation is done for legitimate zoological, educational, or scientific purposes.

(c) Penalty. -- A person who violates a provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $ 1,000, for each violation, or imprisoned for 6 months, or both.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 66C, § 125A; 1973, 1st Sp. Sess., ch. 4, § 1; 1990, ch. 6, § 2.