Whereas, this legislation clarifies certain limitations involving lobster fishing; and

Whereas, this legislation needs to be enacted in a timely manner due to the upcoming lobster harvesting season; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §6440, as amended by PL 1999, c. 790, Pt. E, §1, is further amended to read:

§6440. Closed periods

It is unlawful to raise, or haul or transfer any lobster trap:

1. Summer. During the period 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise from June 1st to October 31st, both days inclusive except in those portions of the coastal waters of the State from the 3-nautical-mile limit out to the 200-nautical-mile limit as shown on the most recently published United States Government nautical chart; 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 or transfer traps during this period if a hurricane warning issued by the National Weather Service is in effect for any coastal waters of the State.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill deletes language referring to the transfer of lobster traps and clarifies that the limitations on summer