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Fishermen have expressed concerns over the final decisions made by the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) regarding scallop closures at nine locations on the Maine coast. (Nine areas were selected – see side bar below).
Three of these concerns, said Scallop Advisory Committee (SAC) member George Freeman, have been the size of the areas selected for closure, the possible addition of other species to the closures, and the lack of a plan for how the areas would be re-opened to fishing when the closure ends in three years.
The process that led to the closures was a two-year effort by the DMR, with input from fishermen. Most fishermen agreed something needed to be done to help restore the inshore scallop fishery.
Some fishermen thought their input into the Scallop Advisory Council process worked against them. They said they told the council where the best scalloping was and the DMR chose to close those areas. The DMR’s Terry Stockwell said the decision was made to close areas that were the most likely to respond to recovery efforts. Those were the areas where scallops were proven to be capable of doing well.
About 84% of scallops are dragged and 16% are taken by divers. There is apparently no definitive answer as to why scallop stocks have fallen off so sharply inshore.
The fear that other species could be added later to the closures centered around mussel draggers bringing up scallops in their drags. Brian Preney of Boothbay said, “Apparently there is an area downeast that has large quantities of small scallops in amongst where mussel dragging is taking place. The scallop people are talking about closing it to mussel dragging to protect the smalls. First, there are large quantities of small scallops throughout the state, and if you want to get to spat levels, they are as high as ever, per DMR data.”
Preney said “closures are likely to create many problems for Maine fishermen, especially when they realize that their home scalloping grounds are closed, and (then)try harvesting other species in the closed areas.” Closing out urchin fishermen was also feared. At the Ellsworth SAC meeting on October 22, the DMR pointed out that a biological threat was the only thing that could be used as a reason for closing off another fishery.
The question remained, does the threat to small scallops constitute a biological threat? The issue will be addressed at the December SAC meeting in Hallowell. Freeman said what they need most is “something on the books to prevent over fishing when closed areas re-open in three years.
Some scallop fishermen said they had not been aware of how much the proposed closures would impact them. Blue Hill area scallopers pointed out what they thought were shifting plans by the DMR. Originally Blue Hill Bay was not on the list for closure, but a large part of it was in the final plan. Others said much larger areas were closed than originally proposed. Both Preney and Freeman urge fishermen to get involved in this process.
DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES
Chapter 11 Scallops
11.09 Atlantic Sea Scallop Harvesting Season
The Atlantic Sea Scallop Harvesting Season in Maine’s Territorial waters is open December 15, 2009 through March 24, 2010, Tuesdays through Saturdays except Friday, December 25, 2009 and Friday, January 1,2010, all dates inclusive; this season sun sets May 1, 2010.
11.10 Atlantic Sea Scallops -Limitations
1. Size, Harvesting and Conservation Zone Regulations
H. Closed Areas
It shall be unlawful to fish for, or take, or possess scallops taken by any method within any of the following closed areas.
Transiting exception:
Any vessel possessing scallops onboard, may transit these closed areas, only if the vessel has all fishing gear (dredges, drags) securely stowed. Securely stowed shall mean the main wire shall not be shackled or connected to the dredges or drags, and the towing swivel will be at block or on the winch.
(1) Casco Bay Area:
South of a line drawn from the most southwestern point of Basin Point to the northeastern tip of Jewell Island, and south and west of a line drawn from the southern tip of Jewell Island due south to the 3- mile limit, as identified on National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration nautical charts. Also, west of a point drawn from Gun Point due south to the 3-mile limit.
(2) Damariscotta/Sheepscot Area:
South and east of a line drawn from the most northeastern point of Dogfish Head to the most northeast- ern point of Macmahan Island, and south of a line drawn from the most northwestern point of Macmahan Island to the most northeastern tip of Soldier Point. Then south and east of a line drawn from the most southwestern point of Indian Point to the most northeastern point of Salter Island, and east of a line drawn from the most southwestern tip of Salter Island to the most northwestern point of Sequin Island. Then north of a line drawn from the most southern point of Sequin Island to Bantam Rock, north and west of a line continuing to the most southern point of Pumpkin Island, continuing to the Outer Heron Island Ledge Buoy, continuing to the most southeastern point of Thrumcap Island, following the shoreline to the most southwest- ern point of Thrumcap Island, and north and west of a line drawn from this point to the most southern tip of Shipley Point, following the shoreline of Rutherford Island. Also, west of the South Bristol Bridge, and south of a line drawn from the most southern tip of Jones Point to the most northeastern tip of Montgomery Point.
(3) Muscongus/Western Penobscot Area:
Western Line:
North and east of a line beginning at the intersection of Latitude 43º 55' N on Pemaquid Neck (just north of Brown’s Cove, Bristol), and follow- ing this latitude to its intersection on the east shore of Mosquito Island, St. George, then southeast to the south- ern tip of Metinic Green Island, then due south to the 3-mile limit. Eastern Line: West of a line starting Whitehead Island, St. George, then in a southeast direction to the southern end of Two Bush Island and continuing in a south-east direction to the Foster’s Ledges Buoy R N"10", then due South to the 3-mile limit.
(4) Eastern Penobscot Area:
Eastern Penobscot Area:
The Eggemoggin Reach southeast of the Deer Isle Bridge and north of a line starting at the southern most tip of Naskeag Point, Brooklin, then southwest to the most southeastern pointof Stinson Neck, Deer Isle AND north of a line starting at the most southwestern tip of Stinson Neck, Deer Isle running west to Coles Point on Whitmore Neck, Deer Isle; this includes all of Southeast Harbor.
Lower Jerico Bay:
South of a line starting at Lower Head, Marshall Island then running southwest to the northern end of Little Spoon Island and from the south end of Little Spoon Island due south to the 3-mile limit AND west of a line starting at the eastern most part of Devils Head, Marshall Island continuing southeast to the most east- ern point of Heron Island then onto the RW “BC” whistle buoy, then due south to the 3-mile limit.
(5) Blue Hill Harbor/Morgans Bay Area:
North of a line drawn from Stills Point, Blue Hill Neck to the most northern point of Long Island, and north of a line drawn from the most northern point of Long Island to the most south western point of Newbury Neck.
(6) Mt. Desert Area:
All of Somes Sound and east of a line starting at Bass Harbor Head then in a southeast direction to the most east- erly Point of Great Gott Island contin- uing on south to the three mile line and west of a line starting at the most eastern side of Otter Pt. MDI continuing True South to the 3-mile limit.
(7) Gouldsboro Bay Area:
Inside and north of a line starting a Young’s Point, Corea east to the end of Dyer Pt. in Steuben.
(8) Jonesport/Machias Area:
(a) The Reach: East and north of a line starting at the most eastern end of Tibbett Island then east to the most northern end of Ram Island then on to the most western end of Slate Island and west of a line starting at the end of the breakwater Sawyer’s Cove the southeast to the most western end of Pig Island and then due south to the closes point of land of Great Wass Island.
(b) Chandler Bay/Englishman’s Bay: North of a line starting at the Roque Island Cable Area running between Jonesport and Roque Island and north of a line starting at the most northeastern point of Great Head, Roque, Island; then northeast to the most southern end of Shoppee Point, Roque Bluffs.
(c) Machias Area: North and west of a line starting at Bucks Head, Machias- port proceeding east to the southern end of Northwest Head on Cross Island then due south to the 3-mile line, and east of a line drawn due south from Great Head, Cutler to the 3-mile limit.
(9) St. Croix River Area:
North and east of a line drawn from the Gleason Point, Perry east to the US-Canada border.
This regulation, Chapter 11.10(1)(H), expires May 1, 2012.
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