15A NCAC 03L .0301. AMERICAN LOBSTER (NORTHERN LOBSTER)

(a)  It is unlawful to possess American lobster:

(1)           with a carapace less than 3 3/8 inches or greater than 5 1/4 inches;

(2)           which has eggs or from which eggs have been artificially removed by any method;

(3)           meats, detached meats, detached tails or claws or any other part of a lobster that has been separated from the lobster;

(4)           which has an outer shell which has been speared;

(5)           that is a V-notched female lobster.  A V-notched female lobster is any female lobster that bears a notch or indention in the base of the flipper that is at least as deep as 1/8 inch, with or without setal hairs.  A V-notched female lobster is also any female lobster which is mutilated in a manner which would hide, obscure or obliterate such a mark; or

(6)           in quantities greater than 100 per day or 500 per trip for trips five days or longer taken by gear or methods other than traps.

(b)  American lobster traps not constructed entirely of wood (excluding heading or parlor twine and the escape vent) must contain a ghost panel that meets the following specifications:

(1)           the opening to be covered by the ghost panel shall be not less than 3 3/4 inches (9.53 cm) by 3 3/4 inches (9.53 cm);

(2)           the panel must be constructed of, or fastened to the trap with, one of the following untreated materials: wood lath, cotton, hemp, sisal or jute twine not greater than 3/16 inch (0.48 cm) in diameter, or non-stainless, uncoated ferrous metal not greater than 3/32 inch (0.24 cm) in diameter;

(3)           the door of the trap may serve as the ghost panel, if fastened with a material specified in this Section;

(4)           the ghost panel must be located in the outer parlor(s) of the trap and not the bottom of the trap; and

(5)           contains at least one rectangular escape vent per trap, 2 inches by 5 3/4 inches minimum size, or two circular escape vents per trap, with a minimum inside diameter of 2 5/8 inches.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 113‑134; 113‑182; 113‑221; 143B‑289.52;

Eff. January 1, 1991;

Amended Eff. March 1, 1996;

Temporary Amendment Eff. August 1, 2000;

Amended Eff. April 1, 2009; September 1, 2005; April 1, 2001.