BAR HARBOR — Area lobstermen are asking for clarity regarding the zero tolerance v-notch regulations as enforced by the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR).

At the Zone B meeting April 24, Dave Horner made a motion that the Marine Patrol be asked to help clarify the issue.

“I find it confusing at times,” he said. “Anything they can give us would be helpful.”

Uncertainty has arisen regarding what actually constitutes a “v-notch,” which is a cut in the tail fluke made by lobstermen who discover an egg-bearing lobster in their catch. The lobsters are notched then thrown back. If the lobster is caught again, the v-notch should be visible in the right flipper. These lobsters with a v-notch are illegal to possess. And it is also illegal to possess a female lobster mutilated in a manner which could hide or obliterate a v-notch, including missing that particular flipper.

“We have a lot of license holders and captains that will show us flippers that are v-notched, and ask us ‘did I do the right thing? Is that a lobster that could have been sold?’ said Marine Patrol Sgt. Troy Dow. “We field those all the time. And we always say, we go through lobsters the same way they do. We pick up lobsters and look at the flipper. Some of these guys are under the impression we’re looking for small imperfections with a magnifying glass.”

According to Sean Dow, the Marine Patrol officer present at the meeting, if allegations of illegal lobstering go before the patrol, Sgt. Jay Carroll and Lt. Dale Sprowl would both be asked to review the “notch” prior to penalizing any fisherman.

Also at that meeting, the Zone B council discussed an upcoming meeting with John Sauve, who is developing a marketing strategy for Maine Lobster based on the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) model. Finding funds for the promotion is controversial.

“We can sit around and argue, but no matter what, we’re going to have to pay for this,” said lobsterman Jon Carter of Bar Harbor.

For more maritime news, pick up a copy of the Mount Desert Islander.