Atlantic Sea Scallop Limited Entry Program Proposed

Chapter 11; 11.14

Maine Revised Statute §6706(3) directs the Commissioner of Marine Resources to develop a limited entry system through which a person who did not hold a commercial scallop license in the previous calendar year may become eligible for a license. This regulation proposes the development of two annual lotteries (one for drag licenses, one for dive licences) for the issuance of new scallop licenses.

The number of new licenses available would be calculated by applying an exit ratio to the number of licenses retired by each gear sector in the previous calendar year. The proposed regulation also establishes the eligibility criteria to enter the lottery, as well as factors that would give an individual additional chances in the lottery.

Date, time and location of PUBLIC HEARING

• October 10, 2017, 6:30 PM
University of Maine at Machias, Rm 102, 116 O’Brien Avenue Machias, ME

• October 11, 2017, 6:30 PM
Ellsworth City Hall Auditorium, One City Hall Plaza, Ellsworth, ME October 12, 2017, 6:30 PM, DMR Augusta, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta, ME

COMMENT DEADLINE: October 23, 2017

Agency Contact: Amanda Ellis

Tel: 207-624-6573

Mail Written Comments to: Department of Marine Resources, attn Rulemaking; 21 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0021.

E-mail: dmr.rulemaking@maine.gov

Website: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/laws