Plain Text Law

Regulation .03 Trotlines.

Regulation .03 Trotlines.Copy Citation

A.
An individual may not set or fish a trotline within 100 feet of another individual’s set trotline, collapsible crab trap, or net ring.
B.
The length of a trotline shall be measured along the bait line from the first bait to the last bait.
C.
In the coastal bays of the Atlantic Ocean and their tidal tributaries:
(1)
An individual may not use or possess on board a vessel a trotline or trotlines with a baited portion more than 600 feet in length to catch or attempt to catch crabs for recreational purposes; or
(2)
If two or more individuals are on a boat, not more than two trotlines with a baited portion more than 600 feet each may be used or possessed on board a vessel to catch or attempt to catch crabs for recreational purposes.
D.
In the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries:
(1)
Trotline gear may only be used to catch or attempt to catch crabs:
(a)
For commercial purposes by an individual licensed in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §4-701, Annotated Code of Maryland; or
(b)
For recreational purposes by an individual licensed in accordance with Regulation .09 of this chapter;
(2)
An individual licensed to catch crabs for recreational purposes may not use or possess on board a vessel a trotline or trotlines with a baited portion more than 1,200 feet in length to catch or attempt to catch crabs for recreational purposes; and
(3)
The trotline gear used from the boat may not exceed 1,200 feet in length for the baited portion:
(a)
Regardless of the number of individuals licensed to catch crabs for recreational purposes on a boat; or
(b)
If the boat is licensed as a recreational crabbing boat.
E.
Buoy Requirements.
(1)
A trotline shall have a three-dimensional buoy of the same color, size, and shape attached to each end.
(2)
Buoys that have a spherical shape shall be at least 12 inches in diameter.
(3)
Buoys that do not have a spherical shape shall be at least:
(a)
12 inches long;
(b)
10 inches wide; and
(c)
10 inches high.
(4)
Buoys shall be marked with the owner’s:
(a)
DNR id number, if recreationally crabbing in the Chesapeake Bay or its tidal tributaries;
(b)
Name and address, if recreationally crabbing in the Atlantic Ocean, its coastal bays, or their tidal tributaries; or
(c)
Commercial license number.