Maine Scallop Fishing Season for 2009-2010, and Area Closures
On September 16, 2009, the DMR Advisory Council approved regulatory changes that will impact scallop harvesting in Maine waters and scallop and urchin harvesting in Whiting Bay and Denny’s Bay.
Scallop Season:
The 70-day scallop season will begin December 15, 2009 and close March 24, 2010 (both dates inclusive), with fishing prohibited on Sundays, Mondays, and the Fridays of December 25 and January 1.
Scallop Conservation Closures:
The three-year scallop conservation closures were approved as proposed (three of the closures were amended as suggested during the public comment period):
It shall be unlawful to fish for, 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 (revised Oct 15, 2009):
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 (revised Oct 15, 2009):
South and east of a line drawn from the most northeastern point of Dogfish Head to the most northeastern 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 southwestern 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 following this latitude to its intersection on the east shore of Mosquito Island, St. George, then southeast to the southern tip of Metinic Green Island, then due south to the 3-mile limit.
Eastern Line: West of a line starting a Whitehead Island, St. George, then in a southeast direction to the southern end of Two Bush Island and continuing in a southeast 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 point of 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 eastern 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 southwestern 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 easterly Point of Great Gott Island continuing 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, Machiasport 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.
Scallop/Urchin Closure in Whiting Bay and Denny’s Bay:
In addition, the two-year scallop/urchin closure of Whiting and Denny’s Bay was approved as proposed:
(10) Whiting Bay and Denny’s Bay Area:
It shall be unlawful to fish for or take scallops and or urchins west of a line starting at the western end of Mahar Point, Pembroke, due south to the nearest point of land on Crow Neck, Trescott, to include all of Whiting Bay and Denny’s Bay. This section Chapter 11.10(1)(H)(10) sunsets May 1, 2011.
For More Information
Complete text of the regulations and public comments may be found on the DMR website at the DMR Advisory Council meeting agenda page at item #3.
If you have any questions, please contact Togue Brawn or your nearest Marine Patrol office.
