N.H. Code Admin. R. Fis 602.17
Commercial Lobster Helper
Effective Nov 1, 2018#7464, eff 3-23-01; ss by #9425, eff 3-17-09; ss by #9703, eff 5-1-10, EXPIRED: 5-1-18 New. #12655, EXEMPT, eff 11-1-18Executive Director, Fish and Game Department
- (a) The requirement of this section shall not apply to persons on vessels permitted by National Marine Fisheries to trap American lobster.
- (b) Helpers under this section shall not be persons who hold a part time commercial license to take lobster that only allows the use of 100 traps.
- (c) Whenever more than one person holds a commercial lobster license, whether it is commercial lobster license or limited commercial lobster license for 600 traps, and the licensees are simultaneously on board and utilizing a single vessel, the taking of lobsters and crabs shall be prohibited except as specified in (d) through (g).
(d) Two persons who each hold a commercial lobster license, whether it is a commercial lobster license or a limited commercial lobster license which allows the use of 600 traps, and who each have verified landings of lobster in New Hampshire for any 2 years of the previous 3 years, may fish together on the same vessel as follows:
- (1) The licensee whose traps are to be fished to take lobsters and crabs shall have obtained a letter of authorization as specified in (e) from the executive director to allow the other licensee to be the licensee’s lobster helper;
- (2) The licensee also shall have obtained a helpers license pursuant to RSA 211:20 to use a helper; and
- (3) The letter of authorization shall be on board the vessel whenever the 2 licensees listed in the letter are on board the vessel at the same time.
(e) The licensee in (d) (1) shall request a letter of authorization from the executive director by providing in writing the following:
- (1) The licensee’s name and license number;
- (2) The name of the vessel and the registration number and/or USCG documentation number which will be used for the taking of lobsters and crabs; and
- (3) The name and commercial or limited commercial license number of the person who will be used as a helper.
- (f) A person shall not request nor hold more than one letter of authorization from the executive director at any given time.
- (g) If there are 2 licensees with authorization letters utilizing the same vessel to haul lobster gear, only one licensee’s gear shall be hauled in a calendar day.
Source. #7464, eff 3-23-01; ss by #9425, eff 3-17-09; ss by #9703, eff 5-1-10, EXPIRED: 5-1-18 New. #12655, EXEMPT, eff 11-1-18