As Amended
SEC. 49-15-85. Protection of egg-bearing female crabs.
It shall be unlawful for any person to catch, hold or have in his possession from March 1 through June 30 any female crab bearing eggs visible thereon or any female crab from which the egg pouch or bunion has been removed. Nothing in this section shall be construed to make it unlawful to catch such crabs unintentionally, provided they are forthwith, while still alive, returned to the water. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the importation of female sponge crabs during the closed season from other coastal states where the taking and possession of such crabs is lawful, provided that each shipment or load of such imported female sponge crabs shall have with it either an invoice from a licensed harvester in a state which legally allows their taking, or a certificate from that state's appropriate agency verifying that the crabs were taken legally.
SOURCES: Laws, 1988, ch. 548, Sec. 2, eff from and after July 1, 1988.