<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" citation="COMAR 08.02.25.06" title_num="08" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="25" heading="Commercial — Finfish Trotlines.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>An individual may not set or fish a finfish trotline within 100 feet of another individual's set trotline.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The length of a finfish trotline is measured along the baited portion of the line.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Except as provided in §H of this regulation, a finfish trotline:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>May not exceed 1,200 feet in length;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>May not be baited with live bait; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Shall only be rigged with circle hooks with a minimum size of 5/0.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Float Requirements.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A finfish trotline shall have a float of the same color, size, and shape attached to each end.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Floats that have a round or spherical shape shall be at least 12 inches in diameter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Floats that do not have a round or spherical shape shall be at least 12 inches long and 7 inches wide.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Floats shall be marked with the owner's commercial license number.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Depth Requirements.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>During the period from June 16 through the end of February, a finfish trotline shall be set:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>At least 10 feet below the surface of the water, in waters that are at least 10 feet deep at mean low tide; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>On the bottom of the water body in which they are set, in waters that are less than 10 feet deep at mean low tide.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>During the period from March 1 through June 15, finfish trotlines shall be set on the bottom of the water body in which they are set.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Area Restrictions. Except as provided in §H of this regulation, a finfish trotline:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Shall only be set in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>May not be set in the Chesapeake Bay south of the William Preston Lane, Jr. Memorial Bay Bridge, including Pocomoke Sound and Tangier Sound.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>An individual shall be appropriately licensed to catch finfish under Natural Resources Article, §4-701 or 4-701.2, Annotated Code of Maryland, and permitted in accordance with this regulation in order to use a finfish trotline.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Shortlines.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Definition.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>In this section, the following term has the meaning indicated.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Term Defined. “Shortline” means a type of finfish trotline which meets the requirements of this section.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A shortline may not exceed 1,500 feet in length.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Hook Requirements. In addition to the hook requirements in §C of this regulation:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A shortline may not have more than 50 hooks; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Any hook used on a shortline shall be corrodible.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A maximum of two shortlines are allowed per vessel.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Any vessel using a shortline shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Practice the protocols and possess the federally required release equipment for pelagic and bottom longlines for the safe handling, release, and disentanglement of sea turtles and other nontarget species; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Have all captains and vessel owners federally certified in using handling and release equipment.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Allowed Area. A shortline may only be used in the Atlantic Ocean.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>