The purpose of this rule amendment is to improve the enforceability of the blue crab gear rule (68B-45.004). The current rule allows one commercial trap owner to authorize another commercial fisherman as a delegate to pull that owner’s traps using the form DMF-SL4590 (2-13), when extraordinary circumstances prevent that owner from working his/her own traps. The effect of the rule amendment will be to strengthen the current trap pulling petition by requiring notarization. It will also aid enforcement by requiring a float plan be prepared in advance with the Division of Law Enforcement.