No person shall raise or unduly disturb any lobster pot or trap within the territorial waters of this state between the hours of one hour after sundown and one hour before sunrise. Every person violating this section shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or be imprisoned not exceeding one year, or both. However in situations of emergency upon application being made, the owner of the lobster pots or traps may be authorized to remove the pots or traps by the director of environmental management, or the director’s designee, during the prohibited hours. All boats, pots, or other equipment used in violation of this section shall be seized and forfeited to the state. History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 197, § 3; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 17, § 6.
Rhode Island Legal Code