<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".10" citation="COMAR 08.02.08.10" title_num="08" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="08" heading="American Lobsters.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>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:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>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:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Is made by means of a sharp bladed instrument;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Is at least 1/4 inch in length;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Is not greater than 1/2 inch in depth; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Tapers to a sharp point; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Immediately release the lobster.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A person may not catch, land, possess, sell, offer to sell, or transport any:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Lobster that is egg-bearing or from which eggs have been intentionally removed;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Lobster measuring less than 3-3/8 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;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>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;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Lobster which has an outer shell which has been speared;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Female lobster bearing a V-shaped notch which is:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>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</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Mutilated in a manner which could hide, obscure, or obliterate such a mark; or</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Lobster from February 1 through March 31.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>An individual shall land lobsters whole and may not remove any meat, body appendages, or tail from any lobster before landing.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>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.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A lobster trap:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Shall have a minimum of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>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</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Two circular escape vents located in the parlor section of the trap which shall have a minimum diameter of 2-5/8 inches;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>May not exceed a volume of 22,950 cubic inches;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Shall be removed from the water not later than February 14 of each year; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>May not be set prior to March 24 of each year.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>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:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The rectangular opening covered by the ghost panel may not be less than 3-3/4 inches by 3-3/4 inches;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The ghost panel shall be located in the outer parlor or parlors of the trap and not the bottom of the trap; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>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.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>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.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>