Proposed rules for the 2016-2017 scallop fishing season are under discussion at hearings this week, up and down the coast. Because of depletion and/or high concentrations of seed/sublegal scallops, certain areas of the Midcoast are to be closed to scalloping. 

The proposed rules are as follows:

As in the 2015-2016 season, there would be a daily possession limit of 15 gallons for Zone 1 and Zone 2, and a daily possession limit of 10 gallons for Zone 3.

For Zone 1, a 60-day season is set for draggers to start on December 5, 2016 and the proposed last day of the season is April 11, 2017. For Zone 1, a 60-day season is set for divers to start on December 1, 2016 and the proposed last day of the season is April 15, 2017.

For Zone 2, a 70-day season is set for draggers to start on December 5, 2016 and the proposed last day of the season is March 28, 2017. For Zone 2, a 70-day season is set for divers to start on December 1, 2016 and the proposed last day of the season is April 15, 2017. For Zone 3, a 50-day season is set for draggers to start on December 5, 2016, and the proposed last day of the season is March 29, 2017.

For Zone 3, a 50-day season is set for divers to start on December 1, 2016 and the proposed last day of the season is March 24, 2017.

In addition, DMR is proposing to either maintain or implement the following targeted closures based on depletion, high concentrations of seed/sublegal scallops and/or the presence of spat-producing scallops which include Muscle Ridge (limited), Lower Muscle Ridge, Eastern Casco Bay, Ocean Point, Sheepscot River, Muscongus Bay, New Meadows River, Card Cove and East Moosabec Reach.

Finally, DMR is proposing to implement a Limited Access Area in the MDI region of Zone 2.

Date, time and location of PUBLIC HEARINGS:

TODAY, September 12, 2016, 6:00 PM, Ellsworth City Hall Auditorium, One City Hall Plaza, Ellsworth

WEDNESDAY, September 14, 2016, 6:00 PM, University of Maine Machias, Rm 102, 116 O'Brien Avenue Machias, Maine 04654

NEXT MONDAY, September 19, 2016, 6:00 PM, Lincoln County Communications Center, US-1, Wiscasset, ME 04578

COMMENT DEADLINE: 10/12/2016

CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING:

NAME: Hannah Dean

AGENCY: Department of Marine Resources

ADDRESS: 21 State House Station

Augusta, Maine 04333-0021

E-MAIL: hannah.dean@maine.gov

TELEPHONE: (207) 624-6573

FAX: (207) 624-6024

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