Today in the waters off southern Maine the majority of lobsters hauled in any given trap are released because they are not of legal size or they are 'V-tails' . An average of two legals in a trap is considered a good catch. Many more are released because they are either too small or too big. In fact, many legal sized animals can and do escape through these vents. It is illegal to remove any gear found washed up on the shore, no matter how badly damaged.
Lobstermen periodically collect their stranded gear from beaches and shore line.
The item most frequently stolen are the buoys. Every lobsterman has a unique color scheme for his buoys. The markings are unique for the state that issues his license, but may not be unique between states. In general , lobstermen from one state may not fish waters of another state within 3 miles of shore. It is legal for dealers to buy them from out of state and store them in Maine, but they may not be resold in the state of Maine.