13-188-25 Me. Code R. § 04

Current through 2024-24, June 12, 2024
Section 188-25-04 - Lobster Trawl Limits
A.Casco Bay

It shall be unlawful to have on any trawl more than 12 lobster traps in waters within the following area: Starting at Martin Point, Portland; southeasterly to the northern end of House Island, Portland; thence southeasterly to the northeast point of White Head, Cushing Island, Portland; thence easterly to the southwest point of outer Green Island; thence easterly to the light at Halfway Rock; thence northwesterly to the Green Island Ledge Buoy; thence northwesterly to Parker Point, Yarmouth.

B. It is unlawful to have on any trawl more than 3 lobster traps in the following areas:
1.West of Cape Elizabeth and east of Kittery. Westerly of a line drawn from the active lighthouse at Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth to 43° 31.52'N, 070° 08.4' W continuing in a straight line to the point of intersection with the 3-nautical-mile line, and northerly and easterly of a line running between the Kitts Rocks Whistle Buoy and the West Sister Buoy and extending westerly to the New Hampshire border, and from the West Sister Buoy to the Murray Rock Buoy and thence to and through the lighthouse on Boone Island and, continuing in a straight line, to the point of intersection with the 3-nautical-mile line;
2.Between Pemaquid and Robinson's Points. Between the following lines:
A. Beginning at a point 48 miles true north of the lighthouse on Pemaquid Point, Lincoln County; thence true south through the lighthouse to a point of intersection with the 3-nautical-mile line; and
B. Beginning at a point 40 miles true north from the lighthouse at Robinson's Point, Isle au Haut, Knox County; thence true south through the lighthouse to a point of intersection with the 3-nautical-mile line;
3.Off Hancock County and within the following areas. Beginning at the

Southern tip of Schoodic Point at 44° 19.900' N and 068° 03.609' W; proceeding in a southeasterly direction along the Zone A/B line to its intersection with the "three mile line" at 44° 16.45' N, 68° 2.24' W; thence running in a southwesterly direction along the "three mile line", as described in DMR Chapter 75.01 A-8, to its intersection with the lobster Zone B/C line at 44° 1.994' N and 68° 28.581' W thence; thence following the B/C line to latitude 44° 01.376' N and 068° 28.396' W; thence running west to the point of intersect with the line described in subsection 2, paragraph B; and then following that line north to its point of origin 40 miles true north of the lighthouse at Robinson's Point, Isle Au Haut, Knox County

C. It is unlawful to have on any trawl more than 5 lobster traps in the following area off Hancock County:
A. From the intersection of the eastern boundary of Lobster Zone B with the Maine Six Mile Line at 44° 8.64' N, -67° 59.19' W, proceeding in a southerly direction for ~9.2 NM along the eastern boundary of Lobster Zone B to 43° 59.75' N, 67° 55.72' W, then ~6.7 NM southwesterly to 43° 56.0' N, 68° 3.26', thence True west to a point on the Mount Desert Rock 3NM line at 43.0° 56.0' N, 68.0° 4.63' W, following the 3NM line to 43.0° 56.0' N, 68.0° 10.84' W, continuing True west to the Maine Six Mile line at 43.0° 56.0' N, 68.0° 23.04' W. Thence following the Maine Six Mile line in a northeast direction back to 44° 8.64' N, 67° 59.19' W.
B. In Maine Lobster Zone B described in 25.94 (2)(b), between the "three nautical mile line" described in 75.01 (A)(8) and the Maine six mile line described in 75.01 (A)(6).
D.Beals Island to Libby Island, Washington County

It shall be unlawful to have on any trawl more than 4 lobster traps in waters within the following area: A line starting at the Southeast tip of Kelly Point, Jonesport, thence following a southerly direction on a course of 170 degrees True to the most southern end of Freeman Rock, Jonesport (southwest of Moose Peak Light) as identified on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration nautical charts. Thence following a compass course 60 degrees True to the geographic coordinates N 44º 32.6' W 67º 21.1'. Thence following a compass course of 305 degrees True to the most southern tip of Cow Point, Roque Bluffs.

E.Kittery

It is unlawful to have on a trawl more than 10 lobster traps in the waters southerly of a line running between the Kitts Rocks Whistle Buoy and the West Sister Buoy and extending westerly to the New Hampshire border, and from the West Sister Buoy to the Murray Rock Buoy and thence to and through the lighthouse on Boone Island and, continuing in a straight line, to the point of intersection with the 3-nautical-mile line. Each trawl set in this area must be marked on each end with at least one buoy with a buoy stick of at least 4 feet in length.

F.Linekin Bay

It is unlawful to fish for or take lobsters with more than two traps on any one line or buoy in the waters of Linekin Bay, Lincoln County, inside and northerly of a line drawn as follows: starting at the southern tip of Spruce Point, Boothbay Harbor, southerly to a red navigational buoy N"2"; thence southeasterly to a green navigational buoy C"1"; thence easterly to the northern tip of Oak Island; thence true east to Linekin Neck, Boothbay.

G.Sheepscot Bay and Sequin Island Area

It is unlawful to have on any trawl more than three lobster and crab traps or shrimp traps in coastal waters inside and upstream of the following line: starting at the southern tip of Indiantown Island, Boothbay; thence southerly to the northernmost point on Cameron Point, Southport; then starting at the southwest point of Southport; thence southeast to the Cuckolds; thence southerly 188ºT. to the territorial limits of the State (LORAN C coordinates 13054.5 and 25904.0); thence westerly to Mile Ledge Bell R20ML; thence northwesterly to the navigational buoy C (1JK) Jackknife Ledge; thence northerly to the southern tip of Wood Island; thence northerly from the northern tip of Wood Island to the most southeast point on Popham Beach, Phippsburg.

13-188 C.M.R. ch. 25, § 04