Maine § 6440. - Closed periods

§ 6440.. Closed periods

It is unlawful to raise or haul any lobster trap:   [PL 2001, c. 123, §1 (AMD).]

1.  Summer.  During the period 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise from June 1st to August 31st, both days inclusive, and during the period 1/2 hour after sunset until 4 a.m. from September 1st to October 31st, both days inclusive; and

2.  Weekends.  During the period from 4 p.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, Saturday, to 1/2 hour before sunrise the following Monday morning from June 1st to August 31st, both days inclusive, except that it is lawful to raise or haul traps during this period if a hurricane warning issued by the National Weather Service is in effect for any coastal waters of the State.

Notwithstanding subsection 1, a person may raise or haul any lobster trap from September 1st to October 31st, both days inclusive, during any time of the day in an area in the Bay of Fundy that encompasses approximately 210 square miles around Machias Seal Island where there are overlapping claims of sovereignty by the United States and Canada if that person is authorized to fish in the lobster management zone established pursuant to section 6446 in which the area described is located. The commissioner shall define this area in rule to ensure that the boundaries of this area are clearly delineated. Rules adopted pursuant to this section regarding the boundaries of the area are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.   [PL 2019, c. 568, §1 (NEW).]