Bill > LD1561

This bill addresses how many lobster traps a fisherman can set in a secondary lobster management zone. The bill first defines key terms: "Department" refers to the Department of Marine Resources, a "lobster management policy council" is a group established by state law to manage lobster fishing, and a "secondary zone" is a lobster management zone where a fisherman intends to set some, but not the majority, of their traps. The bill requires the Department of Marine Resources to seek input from local lobster management policy councils about what percentage of a fisherman's traps should be allowed in a secondary zone. By December 3, 2025, the department must submit a report with recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources, which may then propose legislation in the next legislative session. The goal appears to be establishing a clear, standardized policy for how lobster fishermen can distribute their traps across different marine zones.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1561&snum=132