Resolve, To Establish a Lobster Trap Tag Transfer Program
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0621
Committee: Marine Resources
Sponsors: SNOWE-MELLO, ADAMS, CRESSEY, EATON, FLETCHER, MAZUREK, PENDLETON

Legislative Document 
No. 621 
H.P.470 
House of Representatives, February 8, 2007 
Resolve, To Establish a Lobster Trap Tag Transfer Program 
Reference to the Committee on Marine Resources suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representati ve TUTTLE of Sanford. 
Il/~ 
'frI. 7l!tU~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Cosponsored by Senator SNOWE-MELLO of Androscoggin and 
Representatives: ADAMS of Portland, CRESSEY of Cornish, EATON of Sullivan, 
FLETCHER of Winslow, MAZUREK of Rockland, McDONOUGH of Scarborough, 
PENDLETON of Scarborough. 
Printed on rccyc1t:d papt:r 
Sec. 1. Lobster trap tag transfer program. Resolved: That, by January L 
2008, the Commissioner of Marine Resources shall develop a draft lobster trap tag 
transfer program to allow the holder of lobster trap tags to sell or otherwise transfer any 
number of that person's lobster trap tags to another person who holds a valid lobster and 
crab fishing license issued under the Maine R~vised Statutes, Title 12, section 6421. The 
program must include but is not limited to the following: 
I. A cap on the total number of lobster trap tags available at the number of lobster 
trap tags issued in 2006 or less; 
2. A system to track the transfer of lobster trap tags and assess fees; 
3. A limit on the total number of lobster trap tags a person can hold within one 
II 
lobster management zone; 
4. A requirement that a person may only sell or transfer lobster trap tags within the 
same lobster management zone for which the tag was initially issued; 
5. Protocol allowing the holder of lobster trap tags to gift those trap tags to someone 
within that person's immediate family without paying transfer fees; 
6. A one-time $5 fee on each lobster trap tag issued to fund efforts for restocking 
female lobsters in state waters or another comparable conservation measure; and 
7. A $5 transfer fee on each lobster trap tag transferred to another person. Revenues 
raised by this transfer fee must be used for restocking female lobsters in state waters or 
for another comparable conservation measure; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Reporting date and draft legislation. Resolved: That, by January II, 
2008, the Commissioner of Marine Resources shall submit the draft lobster trap tag 
transfer program to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources including draft 
legislation necessary to implement the draft lobster trap tag transfer program. The Joint 
Standing Committee on Marine Resources may submit legislation to implement the draft 
lobster trap tag transfer program during the Second Regular Session of the 123rd 
Legislature. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve requires the Commissioner of Marine Resources to establish a lobster 
trap tag transfer program that allows the holder of lobster trap tags to sell or otherwise 
transfer any number of that person's lobster trap tags to another person who holds a valid 
lobster and crab fishing license. It provides that the program must include a cap on the 
number of trap tags at no more than 2006 levels and a $5 transfer fee. Revenues raised 
under this program must be used to fund lobster restocking or for other comparable 
conservation measures. The resolve directs the Commissioner of Marine Resources to 
submit the draft lobster trap tag transfer program and draft legislation to implement the 
program to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources by January II, 2008.