Marking of commercial crab pots, trotlines, and vessels; penalties.
Del. Code tit. 7, § 2306
in effect(a) The buoys of all crab pots and trotlines placed for commercial purposes shall be colored a specific color combination as assigned to each commercial crab pot and trotline licensee. The crabbing vessel specified on the license shall display the same color code assigned to the licensee on a panel measuring at least 2 feet by 2 feet. Said panel must be fully visible from either side of the vessel.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to lift any commercial crab pot or trotline from a vessel other than the 1 corresponding with the color code on that crab pot or trotline buoy. Any commercial crab pot or trotline which is not marked as specified in this section may be confiscated by the Department. Any person guilty of taking crabs from a commercial crab pot or trotline from a vessel other than the 1 corresponding with the color code of that pot or trotline buoy shall be guilty of a class C environmental violation.
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title7/c023/index.htmlFetched: 6/28/2026