(A) Except as provided in this section, from June 1 through March 14, a trap used for taking blue crab used for commercial purposes must have at least two unobstructed, circular escape vents (rings) which must be two and three-eighths inches or greater in inside diameter and located on vertical surfaces. At least one vent (ring) must be in the upper chamber. All vents (rings) must be within two inches of the horizontal partition or the base of the trap.
(B) A trap used for taking blue crab constructed of a single chamber must have at least one two and three-eighths inch or larger inside diameter escape vent (ring) located on a vertical surface within two inches of the base of the trap. Peeler traps are exempt year round.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 245, Section 3; 2002 Act No. 342, Section 23; 2013 Act No. 7, Section 5, eff March 22, 2013.
Effect of Amendment
The 2013 amendment, in subsection (A), substituted "a trap used for taking blue crab" for "a crab trap", and in subsection (B), substituted "A trap used for taking blue crab" for "Crab traps".