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LD 1561

Resolve, Regarding The Percentage Of A Lobster And Crab Fishing Licensee'S Lobster Traps That May Be Fished In A Lobster Management Zone Listed On The License As A Secondary Zone

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Holly Eaton and 5 co-sponsors

Directs the DMR to adopt rules defining what percentage of a lobster licensee’s traps may be fished in a secondary Lobster Management Zone.

Signed by Governor
#lobsters #managementzones #numberoftraps
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Bill Summary · LD 1561

Summary of LD 1561 (Resolve): Percentage of Traps in a Secondary Lobster Management Zone

Overview

  • Bill: LD 1561
  • Title: Resolve, Regarding the Percentage Of a Lobster and Crab Fishing Licensee's Lobster Traps That May Be Fished In a Lobster Management Zone Listed On the License As A Secondary Zone
  • Type: Resolve (non-appropriations instruction to an state agency)
  • Topic: Lobsters, Management Zones, Number of Traps
  • Status: Signed by Governor (June 10, 2025)

Purpose and Intent

LD 1561 directs action by the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) to address the rule or policy governing how many lobster traps a licensee may fish in a Lobster Management Zone that is listed on the license as a secondary zone. In short, it formalizes the consideration and creation of rules governing the percentage of traps that may be fished in a secondary zone, potentially affecting how licensees use their traps within those zones.

Key Provisions (What the Resolve Would Do)

  • Establishes or directs the adoption of rules/policy to determine the permissible percentage of a lobster and crab fishing licensee’s traps that may be fished in a Lobster Management Zone designated as a secondary zone on the license.
  • Likely requires the DMR to issue guidance or amendments to licenses and/or management regulations to implement the defined percentage in secondary zones.
  • As a Resolve, the measure provides authorization or instruction to the agency rather than creating a new program or providing direct funding.

Note: The available materials do not specify the exact percentage, the methodology for determining it, or the timeframe for implementation. The focus is on enabling the DMR to establish rules regarding trap percentages in secondary zones.

Affected Parties

  • Primary impact: Lobster and crab fishing licensees who have secondary Lobster Management Zones listed on their licenses, as their allowable trap activity in those zones may be limited by new rules.
  • Implementing agency: Department of Marine Resources (DMR), which would develop, adopt, or modify rules to reflect the permissible trap percentage in secondary zones.
  • Other stakeholders: Commercial lobster/crab fishers, zone managers, and communities dependent on lobster fisheries who may be affected by changes in trap distribution and reporting.

Fiscal Impact

  • Preliminary and final fiscal notes indicate a minor cost increase to the General Fund.
  • Costs are described as absorbable within existing DMR resources; no new ongoing funding is anticipated beyond what is in current budgets.
  • As a Resolve, there is no direct appropriation specified in the bill’s text as provided.

Legislative History and Timeline

  • Introduced: April 10, 2025
  • Committee: Marine Resources
  • Work Session: April 17, 2025
  • Reported Out: May 29, 2025 (OTP)
  • Passed (engrossed/concurrence): June 2–3, 2025
  • Final passage: June 3, 2025
  • Signed by Governor: June 10, 2025

Implementation and Next Steps

  • The DMR will likely draft and adopt administrative rules or policy amendments to define and regulate the percentage of traps permitted in secondary zones.
  • Licensees should anticipate updates to license terms or accompanying guidance detailing how the secondary-zone trap percentage will be implemented.
  • Operational guidance and compliance requirements may be published by the DMR following the governor’s signature.

Notes

  • Exact percentage and rule specifics are not provided in the available documents; the bill’s effect hinges on subsequent regulatory action by the DMR to establish the secondary-zone trap limit.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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