Delaware Code
Chapter 23. BLUE CRABS (CALLINECTES SAPIDUS)
§ 2311. Crab pot attendance; abandonment; confiscation; forfeiture.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person who places, uses or sets a crab pot in the tidal waters of this State to fail to tend and remove crabs from said crab pot at least once every 72 hours.
(b) Failure to tend and remove crabs from a crab pot in the tidal waters of this State at least 72 hours after said pot is tagged by the Department shall constitute abandonment of said crab pot.
(c) Any employee of the Department authorized to enforce this chapter shall be authorized to seize and confiscate any crab pot which has been determined to have been abandoned pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
(d) Upon a determination that a crab pot has been abandoned and seized by the Department, ownership in said crab pot shall be forfeit to the Department.
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section, any employee of the Department authorized to enforce this chapter shall be authorized to seize any crab pot which fails to be placed, used or set in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(f) Title to a crab pot seized by the Department and not claimed by the lawful owner after proper notification from the Department within 90 days of said notification shall be forfeit to the Department.

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