Lobsters are social animals and will group together , 2 or 3 "shorts" will attract other lobsters inside. A convienent "home" . It gives shelter, food , and protection from predators. All traps must have a certificate and tag attached, with an "escape slot" opposite the "hauling" side of the trap so that smaller lobsters are swept out of the trap, back to the bottom on retrival. A "trap" is a habitat technically and a lobster can exit the throat will little difficulty . The short lobsters are kept in "live wells " shaded, on the boat to replace in traps that the shorts are gone. They are released at the end of the day. This year has been an exceptionally poor season and even short lobsters are hard to harvest; the trapper was probably holding them over to the next "pull" . His offense is really not having enough tags for his traps, which means he didn't pay his fees to the FWCC. Trap certs were going for $100 a piece last year, you can purchase or sell them just like stock from another trapper. Certifcate prices fluctuate just like stocks. last year the Chinese bought huge amount of live lobsters at inflated prices. This year they didn't buy any.This year the price is a 1/3 of last year. So don't stop eating lobsters , the shorts are released to grow up .