§6433. Escape vents
1. Vent required. It is unlawful to fish for or to take lobsters unless the lobster trap is equipped with unobstructed vents or gaps in the parlor section as follows:
A. A rectangular or oblong escape vent not less than 1 3/4 inches (44.5 mm.) by 5.75 inches (146 mm.) located next to the bottom edge or on the top if the escape vent is placed over the head of an end parlor section; [PL 1999, c. 142, §1 (AMD).]
B. Two circular escape vents not less than 2 1/4 inches (57.2 mm.) in diameter located next to the bottom edge or on the top if the escape vents are placed over the head of an end parlor section; [PL 1999, c. 274, §1 (AMD).]
C. A gap caused by raising, modifying or separating horizontal laths to comply with paragraph A or B; [PL 1979, c. 353, §1 (RPR).]
D. A gap caused by separating or modifying vertical laths to comply with paragraph A; [PL 1979, c. 353, §1 (RPR).]
E. A gap caused by separating both ends of 2 laths 1 3/4 inches (44.5 mm.) on the top of the parlor section next to the middle bow or supporting frame and over the parlor head; or [PL 1989, c. 217 (AMD).]
F. In a wire or plastic trap, by a gap created by cutting vents in the side or end to comply with paragraph A or B. [PL 1999, c. 142, §1 (AMD).]
[PL 1999, c. 142, §1 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 274, §1 (AMD).]
1-A. Adjustment. Notwithstanding subsection 1, the commissioner shall specify by rule the dimensions of vents in lobster traps, which must be appropriate for the minimum legal lobster size in effect pursuant to section 6431. The commissioner may adopt rules to set different dimensions of vents in lobster traps when necessary to comply with changes to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A. The commissioner shall notify the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over marine resources matters when initiating rulemaking pursuant to this subsection.
[PL 2021, c. 512, §3 (AMD).]
2. Action prohibited. It shall be unlawful to set, raise, haul or transfer any lobster trap unless the trap is equipped with an escape vent as required in this section or has been exempted under subsection 3.
[PL 1977, c. 661, §5 (NEW).]
3. Exemption. The commissioner may exempt specific trap designs from the escape vent requirements of this section if it is proved to the commissioner's satisfaction that the specific trap design will only take crabs and is incapable of taking lobsters.
[RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. B, §54 (COR).]
4. Termination.
[PL 1979, c. 353, §2 (RP).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1977, c. 661, §5 (NEW). PL 1977, c. 713, §§4-A,4-B (AMD). PL 1979, c. 353, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 1985, c. 677, §§4,6,7 (AMD). PL 1987, c. 101 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 217 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 142, §1 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 274, §1 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 512, §3 (AMD). RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. B, §54 (COR).
Structure Maine Revised Statutes
Chapter 619: LOBSTER AND CRAB FISHING LICENSES
Subchapter 2: LIMITS ON FISHING AND PROHIBITED ACTS
12 §6431-C. Lobster Management Fund
12 §6431-D. Boat trap limit (REPEALED)
12 §6433-A. Biodegradable escape panels
12 §6434. Molesting lobster gear
12 §6436. Egg-bearing lobsters; v-notched lobsters
12 §6437. Scrubbing lobsters (REPEALED)
12 §6438. Scrubbed lobsters (REPEALED)
12 §6438-A. Artificial removal of eggs; prohibition
12 §6439. Areas of limited lobster fishing (REPEALED)
12 §6439-A. Limited lobster fishing in the vicinity of Kittery (REPEALED)
12 §6439-B. Limited lobster fishing in certain portions of Saco Bay (REPEALED)
12 §6442. Lobster identification tags; fee authorized
12 §6444. Dipping lobster traps or similar gear
12 §6445. Logbooks for lobster harvesters
12 §6445-A. Selling of lobsters or crabs by unlicensed crew members
12 §6446. Lobster management zones
12 §6447. Lobster management policy councils