Notice of Proposed Lobster
Rulemaking Action

The Commissioner proposes this rulemaking in order to protect public health due to the risk of mercury contamination in lobsters and crabs found in the mouth of the Penobscot River north of a line starting at the westernmost point of Perkins Point in the Town of Castine continuing in a northwesterly direction to the southern most point on Squaw Point (also known as Rocky Point) on Cape Jellison in the Town of Stockton Springs. In 2013, DMR received data warranting the current closure in the mouth of the river in early 2014, and undertook confirmation work to provide the basis for future management or public health decisions. Based on analysis of the data collected in 2014 through the confirmation work, DMR determined that a consumption advisory would be warranted for lobster taken from an expanded area south of the existing closure.

Because this remains a discrete area and in order to be health protective, DMR is instead taking action to expand the existing closed area. The Department expanded the closed area through an emergency rule-making effective June 21, 2016. This rule making would make that emergency rule-making permanent. While the 2014 confirmation work did not show levels of concern for crabs, the area will remain closed to the harvest of crabs until further analysis can be conducted and management options analyzed.

PUBLIC HEARING

6PM, Tuesday September 6, 2016; Bucksport Middle School; 100 Miles Ln, Bucksport, ME

COMMENT DEADLINE
9/16/2016

CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING
Hannah Dean

AGENCY
Department of Marine Resources, 21 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0021

EMAIL
hannah.dean@maine.gov

TELEPHONE
(207) 624-6573

FAX
(207) 624-6024

TTY
(207) 633-9500 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing)

Chapter 25.65
Lobster and Crab Closure in Penobscot River

It is unlawful to fish for or take lobsters or crabs by any means from the waters north of a line starting at the most northwestern point of Wilson Point (near the end of Wilson Point Road) western most point of Perkins Point in the Town of Castine continuing in a northwesterly direction to the Fort Point Lighthouse southern most point of Squaw Point on Cape Jellison in the Town of Stockton Springs. This section does not apply to equipment operated by the Department of Marine Resources.
(Link to DMR Notice.)