§6482. Fishing in Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area

1.  Placing and maintaining traps.  A person may not place or maintain any trap for lobsters, or otherwise fish for or take lobsters, within the Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area except in accordance with this section.

A. An individual registered to obtain Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area trap tags under this section may not place or maintain in the Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area more than 600 traps. Each trap must bear the appropriate tag.   [PL 2015, c. 50, §1 (AMD).]

B. A person may not place or maintain a lobster trap in the Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area unless a trap tag designated for use in the Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area is affixed to the trap.   [PL 2013, c. 342, §1 (NEW).]

[PL 2015, c. 50, §1 (AMD).]

2.  Trap tags; eligibility; expiration; suspension.  The commissioner shall issue tags for traps in the Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area in accordance with this subsection. The commissioner shall charge and deposit fees for Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area trap tags in accordance with section 6431-B.

A. Trap tags issued for use in the Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area expire after one year as determined by the commissioner by rule.   [PL 2013, c. 342, §1 (NEW).]

B. Except as provided under paragraph C, the commissioner may not issue Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area trap tags to a person unless:

(1) That person's Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing license issued in the prior calendar year identified the lobster management zone that includes the Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area as the declared lobster zone, as defined in section 6448, subsection 1, paragraph A, and that person applies to the commissioner during the period between January 1st and May 31st for Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area trap tags; or

(2) That person registered with the commissioner to purchase Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area trap tags for the prior season and applies to the commissioner during the period between January 1st and May 31st for Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area trap tags.   [PL 2013, c. 342, §1 (NEW).]

C. A person otherwise eligible to apply for Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area trap tags under paragraph B if not for the suspension of that person's Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing license may apply to the commissioner for Swans Island Lobster Conservation Area trap tags during the period between January 1st and May 31st. Upon reinstatement of that person's license, the commissioner may issue trap tags to that person.   [PL 2013, c. 342, §1 (NEW).]

[PL 2013, c. 342, §1 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2013, c. 342, §1 (NEW). PL 2015, c. 50, §1 (AMD).