AUGUSTA, Maine - A Maine lobsterman who kept undersized and V-notched lobsters has been sentenced to two days in jail and fined $50,000. The Department of Marine Resources is also suspending his license for three years.
The Maine Marine Patrol says Theodore Gray, who fished from Stonington, was caught with 269 undersized lobsters and 123 known breeding lobsters. Officials say he also had 20 traps belonging to others.
Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher said Thursday the penalties send a message that the state will use all tools at its disposal to "remove law breakers from the water.''
Gray couldn't be reached Thursday.
Maine law sets a minimum size and requires lobstermen to carve a V notch in the tail of egg-bearing females to declare them off-limits. Both practices are key conservation tools.