Atlantic Sea Scallop Regulations and
2015-2016 Harvesting Season Finalized

October 20, 2015—The Department of Marine Resources Advisory Council unanimously voted to finalize the Chapter 11 Atlantic Sea Scallop Regulations and 2015-2016 Harvesting Season regulation. Based on public comment, the Department made the following changes to the originally published regulation:

• Addition of the Inner Harbor/Deep Hole Targeted Closure in the Deer Isle Area;

• Minor changes to the boundaries of the Lower Jericho Bay, Lower Blue Hill Bay/Jericho Bay and East Isle Au Haut Rotational Areas;

• Removal of the reference to survey language for the implementation of Targeted Closures, and

• Moved two Saturday Limited Access Area day from the Zone 1 Dive schedule from January to Wednesdays in March.

A website providing an overview of the proposed upcoming season, including charts of targeted closures and the open rotational areas is now available by following this link. The final rule includes the following:

Zone 1

60-day season (10-day reduction from last year) with a December 15th start for draggers and a December 1 start for divers, a 15-gallon daily limit and the following targeted closures:

South Portland Harbor
Lower Broad Sound in Casco Bay
Eastern Casco Bay
Sheepscot River
Ocean Point
Damariscotta River
Muscongus Bay
Lower Muscle Ridge
Muscle Ridge (limited; open two days/week)

Zone 2

70-day season with a 15-gallon daily limit (same as last year) with a December 1 start and targeted closures in Moosabec Reach (Jonesport) and the Inner Harbor/Deep Hole (Deer Isle). The seven open rotational areas this season include:

Machias Area
Wohoa/Western Bay
Gouldsboro/Dyer Bay
Upper Blue Hill Bay/Union River
Lower Jericho Bay
Eggemoggin Reach/Southeast Harbor
Lower Penobscot Bay & Outer Islands

Zone 3

50-day season with a 10-gallon daily limit (same as last year) with a December 1 start.

The final rule reorganizes the chapter to clarify the distinction between the statutory limits of the scallop season, open days, and the in-season conservation closures which are implemented in order to prevent unusual damage or imminent depletion of the resource.

More rotational maps, drag and dive calendars and links to all the above maps can be found at fishermensvoice.com or a DMR website providing an overview of the proposed upcoming season, including charts of targeted closures and the open rotational areas is now available by following this DMR link: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rm/scallops/management/2015-16/2015-16Season.htm

Questions can be sent by email to trisha.cheney@maine.gov or by calling 624-6554. Trish Cheney at the DMR can make custom maps of specific areas on request.