Maine Revised Statutes
Subchapter 2: LIMITS ON FISHING AND PROHIBITED ACTS
12 §6440. Closed periods

§6440. Closed periods
It is unlawful to raise or haul any lobster trap:   [PL 2001, c. 123, §1 (AMD).]
1.  Summer.  During the period 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise from June 1st to August 31st, both days inclusive, and during the period 1/2 hour after sunset until 4 a.m. from September 1st to October 31st, both days inclusive; and  
[PL 2021, c. 498, §1 (AMD).]
2.  Weekends.  During the period from 4 p.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, Saturday, to 1/2 hour before sunrise the following Monday morning from June 1st to August 31st, both days inclusive, except that it is lawful to raise or haul traps during this period if a hurricane warning issued by the National Weather Service is in effect for any coastal waters of the State.  
[PL 2001, c. 123, §1 (AMD).]
Notwithstanding subsection 1, a person may raise or haul any lobster trap from September 1st to October 31st, both days inclusive, during any time of the day in an area in the Bay of Fundy that encompasses approximately 210 square miles around Machias Seal Island where there are overlapping claims of sovereignty by the United States and Canada if that person is authorized to fish in the lobster management zone established pursuant to section 6446 in which the area described is located. The commissioner shall define this area in rule to ensure that the boundaries of this area are clearly delineated. Rules adopted pursuant to this section regarding the boundaries of the area are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.   [PL 2019, c. 568, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1977, c. 661, §5 (NEW). PL 1991, c. 678 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 790, §E1 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 123, §1 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 32, §1 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 568, §1 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 498, §1 (AMD).

Structure Maine Revised Statutes

Maine Revised Statutes

TITLE 12: CONSERVATION

Part 9: MARINE RESOURCES

Subpart 2: LICENSING

Chapter 619: LOBSTER AND CRAB FISHING LICENSES

Subchapter 2: LIMITS ON FISHING AND PROHIBITED ACTS

12 §6431. Lobster measurement

12 §6431-A. Trap limit

12 §6431-B. Tag system

12 §6431-C. Lobster Management Fund

12 §6431-D. Boat trap limit (REPEALED)

12 §6431-E. Vessel limitation

12 §6431-F. Trap tags

12 §6431-G. Vessel operation

12 §6432. Methods of fishing

12 §6432-A. Bait

12 §6433. Escape vents

12 §6433-A. Biodegradable escape panels

12 §6433-B. Runners

12 §6434. Molesting lobster gear

12 §6435. Setting near weirs

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 §6440. Closed periods

12 §6441. Plugged lobsters

12 §6442. Lobster identification tags; fee authorized

12 §6443. Underwater storage

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

12 §6448. Limited-entry zones

12 §6449. Island limited-entry programs

12 §6450. Temporary medical allowance