Augusta - The Maine Marine Patrol will once again be looking out for anyone violating Maine's boating under the influence laws and sharing safety information during the national Operation Dry Water weekend, July 2-July 4. Operation Dry Water is a national awareness and enforcement campaign coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) that focuses on deterring boaters from boating under the influence (BUI) of drugs or alcohol.

The following notice is being shared as a courtesy on behalf of NOAA Fisheries. This notice can also be found at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/recent-increase-seal-deaths-maine-linked-avian-flu

Summer is in full swing and more people are enjoying time on our coastal waters. The Maine Department of Marine Resources wants to remind swimmers, paddlers, and surfers to be safe while in or on the water. 

While relative risk of a shark attack is very small, risks should always be minimized whenever possible in any activity on the water. The chances of having an interaction with a shark can be reduced if you follow this advice:

The DMR Bureau of Public Health invites you to attend the 2022 Quarter 3 Shellfish Advisory Council meeting September 14, 2022. We will start promptly at 1:00 PM and finish at approximately 4:00 PM.

In follow-up from our scallop industry meeting that was held remotely on Thursday, May 12th - a series of Scallop Advisory Council meetings have been scheduled for discussions related to developing the management plan for state scallops for 2022-2023 season and beyond.

There are three meetings currently scheduled, with the first one occurring in June; please mark your calendars: 

Attention Halibut Endorsement Holders: DMR's Chapter 8 (Landings Program) regulations were recently modified to increase the frequency of commercial harvester reporting in the halibut fishery. The new regulations consist of two primary changes:

Overview:

Pursuant to 38 M.R.S. 480-D, sub-9, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) is required to provide the Maine Department of Environmental Protection with an assessment on the impacts to the fishing industry of a proposed dredging operation. The Kennebunk River Club, The Kennebunkport Marina and the Yachtsman's Club propose maintenance dredging of their facilities with offshore disposal.