Amendment #251 to H3400

Lobster tails

Representatives Straus of Mattapoisett and Peake of Provincetown move to amend the bill by adding the following section:

SECTION XXXX. Section 44 of chapter 130 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the third paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:-

If the measurement of any such lobster taken from one or the other eye sockets is of the required length, such lobster shall be deemed to be a legal lobster. In all prosecutions under this section any mutilation of any lobster which affects its measurement as aforesaid shall be prima facie evidence that the lobster was or is less than the required length; provided, however, that the director shall, by regulation approved by the marine fisheries advisory commission, allow the on-shore processing in the commonwealth of live lobsters of legal length into frozen shell-on lobster tails by wholesale dealers that are licensed by the department of public health under section 77G of chapter 94.  Processed frozen lobster tails may be possessed, sold or offered for sale in the commonwealth by any wholesale dealer, retail dealer or food establishments and such food product may be possessed by a consumer. The processing, possession or sale of said frozen lobster tails pursuant to this section shall be limited to lobster tails weighing 3 ounces or more. The packaging of processed frozen lobster tails pursuant to this section as a food product shall be labeled in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. This section shall not apply to common carriers having lobster in possession for the purpose of transportation."