Md. Code Regs. 08.02.08.10

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 08.02.08.10 - American Lobsters

A. An individual who catches an egg bearing female lobster that measures 3-3/8 inches to 5-1/4 inches in length from the rear end of the eye socket along a line parallel to the center line of body shell (carapace) to the rear of the body shell shall:

(1) Mark the lobster to the right of the center flipper as viewed from the rear of the female lobster when the underside of the lobster is down with a v-shaped notch that:

(a) Is made by means of a sharp bladed instrument;

(b) Is at least 1/4 inch in length;

(c) Is not greater than 1/2 inch in depth; and

(d) Tapers to a sharp point; and

(2) Immediately release the lobster.

B. A person may not catch, land, possess, sell, offer to sell, or transport any:

(1) Lobster that is egg-bearing or from which eggs have been intentionally removed;

(2) Lobster measuring less than 3? inches from the rear end of the eye socket along a line parallel to the center line of body shell (carapace) to the rear of the body shell;

(3) Female or male lobster measuring greater than 5-1/4 inches from the rear end of the eye socket along a line parallel to the center line of body shell (carapace) to the rear of the body shell;

(4) Lobster which has an outer shell which has been speared;

(5) Female lobster bearing a V-shaped notch which is:

(a) A straight-sided triangular cut with or without setal hairs, at least 1/8 inch in depth and tapering to a sharp point in the flipper next to the right of the center flipper as viewed from the rear of the female lobster; or

(b) Mutilated in a manner which could hide, obscure, or obliterate such a mark; or

(6) Lobster from February 1 through March 31.

C. An individual shall land lobsters whole and may not remove any meat, body appendages, or tail from any lobster before landing.

D. An individual using gear other than lobster traps may not land more than 100 lobsters per day for a 24-hour period, or 500 lobsters per trip for a 5-day or longer period.

E. A lobster trap:

(1) Shall have a minimum of:

(a) One rectangular escape vent located in the parlor section of the trap which shall be a minimum of 2 inches by 5-3/4 inches; or

(b) Two circular escape vents located in the parlor section of the trap which shall have a minimum diameter of 2-5/8 inches;

(2) May not exceed a volume of 22,950 cubic inches;

(3) Shall be removed from the water not later than February 14 of each year; and

(4) May not be set prior to March 24 of each year.

F. A lobster trap not constructed entirely of wood, excluding heading or parlor twine and the escape vent, shall contain a ghost panel to allow for the escape of lobsters after a period of time if the trap has been abandoned or lost according to the following specifications:

(1) The rectangular opening covered by the ghost panel may not be less than 33/4 inches by 33/4 inches;

(2) The ghost panel shall be located in the outer parlor or parlors of the trap and not the bottom of the trap; and

(3) The ghost panel shall be constructed of or fastened to the trap with wood lath, cotton, hemp sisal, or jute twine not greater than 3/16 inch in diameter, or non-stainless, uncoated ferrous metal not greater than 3/32 inch in diameter.

G. Vessel Monitoring Systems. Vessels with commercial trap gear area permits issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service shall utilize a Department-approved electronic tracking device in compliance with the requirements of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster.

Md. Code Regs. 08.02.08.10

Regulation .10 adopted effective September 10, 1984 (11:18 Md. R. 1583)
Regulation .10A amended effective October 24, 1994 (21:21 Md. R. 1812)
Regulations .10 and new Regulation .10 adopted effective March 20, 2000 (27:5 Md. R. 583)
Regulation .10 amended effective December 24, 2012 (39:25 Md. R. 1611)
Regulation .10A amended effective June 30, 2008 (35:13 Md. R. 1179)
Regulation .10A, E amended effective July 5, 2004 (31:13 Md. R. 993); amended effective 43:18 Md. R. 1017, eff. 9/12/2016; amended effective 51:15 Md. R. 706, eff. 8/5/2024.