Taking lobsters—pots and traps

(a) All lobster pots, traps and similar devices used for the taking of lobsters shall be constructed so as to contain in the catch compartment (parlor) one of the following: (1) a horizontal, rectangular escape vent with an unobstructed opening not less than 1-7/8 inches by 5-3/4 inches, and, effective May 1, 1998, not less than 1-15/16 inches by 5-3/4 inches; or (2) two circular escape vents each with an unobstructed opening not less than 2-3/8 inches in diameter, and, effective May 1, 1998, not less than 2-7/16 inches in diameter. All lobster pots, traps or similar devices in use which do not contain such escape vents may be seized by any authorized representative of the Department of Environmental Protection and disposed of as determined by the commissioner. (b) All lobster pots and traps made of material other than wood used for the taking of lobsters shall be constructed so as to contain, on any side of the catch compartment (parlor), an escapement panel which, when open, will provide an unobstructed orifice not less than 3-3/4 inches by 3-3/4 inches. If constructed of wood, said escapement panel shall incorporate a rectangular escape vent with an inside measurement not less than 1-7/8 inches by 5-3/4 inches and, effective May 1, 1998, not less than 1-15/16 inches by 5-3/4 inches and, on the longitudinal axis, be composed of lath not thicker than 3/8 of an inch. If constructed of material other than wood, said escapement panel may be hinged and shall be held in the closed position with uncoated, ferrous wire, the stock of which is not more than 3/32 of an inch in diameter, or with untreated natural fiber such as cotton, sisal, hemp, or manila. All such pots and traps in use which do not contain such escapement panels may be seized by any authorized representative of the Department of Environmental Protection and disposed of as determined by the commissioner. (c) Effective January 1, 1999, no person shall use in the waters of this state a lobster pot, trap or similar device with a volume larger than 22,950 cubic inches. (d) From one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, no person shall set, tend or assist in setting or tending any lobster pot, trap or similar device for the catching of lobsters or any live car or other device in which lobsters are kept in the water after having been removed from the pots, traps or trawls in which they were caught. (e) All lobster pot buoys used in the waters of this state shall be of uniform color or uniform pattern of coloration, such color or pattern to be determined by the license holder. Any person engaged in lobstering shall maintain, in a position visible from all directions, a buoy displaying his color or pattern of coloration. (f) All lobster pots used in the waters of this state shall be identified as required in subsection (b) of section 26-157a of the General Statutes and, upon transfer of ownership of said pots, any previous identification shall not be removed or obliterated. Any lobster pot, trap or similar device found to contain a defaced or obliterated license number may be seized by any authorized representative of the Department of Environmental Protection and either used by the Department for purposes of marine research or destroyed.