February 3, 2016 — Maine scallop fisheries in Cobscook Bay and Owls Head will face an emergency closure after Maine’s Department of Marine Resources (DMR) identified a 30% exceeded removal target.
The closures will be effective on Saturday, Feb. 6, the DMR said.
In addition, harvesting in the St. Croix River will be limited to one day per week for draggers on Wednesdays and one day per week for divers on Fridays during the months of February, March and April 2016.
Based on direct input from the Marine Patrol and independent industry participants as well as observations made through the department’s monitoring programs, the level of fishing effort in these areas during the fishing season has likely exceeded the 30% removal target that ensures the fishery continues to rebuild.
Cobscook Bay has experienced a high amount of fishing effort the past three fishing seasons, as well as this season, and requires “an immediate conservation closure”, DMR said.
This determination is based on information collected in the DMR fishery independent in-season survey, DMR port sampling and Marine Patrol observations as well as direct industry reports.
These reports indicate a total of 59 vessels have been consistently targeting the area since it opened on Dec. 1, 2015.
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