In Reply to: New Lobster Laws? Report Cards? posted by JN on November 20, 2007 at 09:38:42:

Section 29.91 - Spiny Lobster Report Card Requirements for Ocean Waters

A Spiny Lobster Report Card is proposed to collect needed information on recreational catch, effort, and gear used in the recreational lobster fishery. The Department presently has no effective method to assess recreational take levels or differences in gear efficiency in this fishery, and this new report card will collect vital recreational catch and effort data to enhance assessment of the spiny lobster resources and fishery. This is a new section to contain the proposed new spiny lobster report card requirement. The proposed revisions are outlined below:

1. All individuals must have a Spiny Lobster Report Card in their possession while fishing for or taking lobster.
   • In the case of a person diving from a boat, the report card may be kept in the boat, or in the case of a person diving from the shore, the report card may be kept within 500 yards on the shore.
2. Individuals must complete and return the card pursuant to the regulations in this Section and Section 1.74.
3. Prior to beginning fishing activity, the cardholder must record the month, day, location and gear code on the first available line on the report card.
4. When the cardholder moves to another location code, or finishes fishing for the day, he or she must immediately record on the card the number of lobster kept from that location.
5. In the event an individual completely fills in all lines and returns a Spiny Lobster Report Card, an additional card may be purchased.