C. A person whose appeal is approved under this subsection may not purchase a number of trap tags greater than the number of trap tags purchased in 1996 or 1997, whichever is greater.

4. Trap limit for zone.__A lobster and crab fishing license holder may not submerge a number of traps that exceeds the trap limit established by rule for a lobster management zone in which that license holder fishes.

5. Repeal.__This section is repealed December 31, 2001.

SUMMARY

This bill implements one of the recommendations of the Lobster Advisory Council regarding reduced fishing effort in the lobster fishery. It establishes a freeze on the issuance of lobster trap tags by prohibiting the Commissioner of Marine Resources from issuing a number of lobster trap tags each year to a lobster and crab fishing license holder that is greater than the number of trap tags the license holder had purchased as of November 20, 1998 for the 1998 license year. The bill establishes an appeals process for individuals who are denied trap tags because of the freeze. The bill provides that the trap tag freeze is repealed December 31, 2001.