Yes, taking "fish" by hand is considered a "gear type". This is not a "new law", it is a new regulation under Addendum XII to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster:
http://www.asmfc.org/press_releases/2012/pr04LobsterAddendumXVIIApproval.pdf http://www.asmfc.org/speciesDocuments/lobster/fmps/addendumXII.pdf