N.H. mulls closing lobster limit loophole

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – New Hampshire must close a loophole that allows some boats to fish more than the limit of 1,200 traps per lobsterman or risk having even stricter trap limits imposed, the state’s top fishery official said.

Lobstermen with a full commercial license are allowed to fish with 1,200 traps, but there is no provision to prevent a boat owner from fishing twice the intended limit by buying another license for an employee or family member.

“What we have is a loophole that allows two people on a boat with licenses to fish,” said John Nelson, chief of Marine Fisheries for New Hampshire.

If the loophole is not closed, the state runs the risk of appearing to be flouting the fisheries management plan, and an 800-trap limit already in effect in other states could be imposed in New Hampshire, he said.

In Maine, the limit of 800 traps applies to the boat, regardless of the number of fishermen on board, and it is strictly enforced.

Nelson acknowledged there has been occasional “sniping” from lobster fishermen across the border who feel New Hampshire is getting away with something the others are not allowed to do.

Changes to current regulations to close the loophole were discussed at a public hearing Tuesday night.

The proposed change to the New Hampshire regulations essentially requires that even if two people on a boat have a license, they can only fish with one license.

Facing the possibility of a lower trap limit, fishermen attending the hearing agreed the state needs to act.

“This should allay the other states’ concerns and show them we take this seriously,” said Bob McDonough, a lobsterman who lives in Portsmouth and fishes out of Rye Harbor.

For all the concern, the number of lobstermen in New Hampshire is tiny compared to its neighboring states.

New Hampshire has approximately 40 lobstermen with full commercial licenses and approximately 300 with limited commercial fishing licenses. Maine has about 6,500 licensed lobstermen.