7 Del. Admin. Code § 3755-1.0 - Lobster Pot Design

(Penalty Section 7 Del.C. § 1912)

1.1 It is unlawful for any person to set, tend or conduct shellfishing for lobsters with any pot or trap in the waters under the jurisdiction of the State unless said pot or trap has an escape vent, slot or port of not less than two (2) inches by 5 ¾ inches located in the parlor section of each pot or trap, or if a circular escape vent is used in the parlor section of any lobster pot or trap, it is unlawful to use less than two (2) circular vents that are less than 2 5/8 inches inside diameter.

1.2 It is unlawful for any person to set, tend or conduct shellfishing for lobsters with any pot or trap, not constructed entirely of wood, excluding heading or parlor twine and the escape vent, that does not contain a ghost panel covering an opening that measures at least 3 ¾ inches by 3 ¾ inches. A ghost panel means a panel, or other mechanism, designed to allow the escapement of lobsters after a period of time if the pot or trap has been abandoned or lost. The panel must be constructed of, or fastened to the pot or trap with, one of the following untreated materials: wood lath, cotton, hemp, sisal or jute twine not greater than 3/16 inch in diameter, or non-stainless, uncoated ferrous metal not greater than 3/32 inch in diameter. The door of the pot or trap may serve as the ghost panel, if fastened with a material specified in this subsection. The ghost panel must be located in the outer parlor(s) of the pot or trap and not the bottom of the pot or trap.

1.3 It is unlawful for any recreational or commercial lobster pot fisherman to set, tend or conduct shellfishing for lobsters with a lobster pot or trap with a volume larger than 22,950 cubic inches.

Notes

7 Del. Admin. Code § 3755-1.0

2 DE Reg 1898 (04/01/99)
10 DE Reg. 1034 (12/01/06)
23 DE Reg. 217 (9/1/2019) (Final)