February 15, 2017 — The Legislature’s Marine Resources Committee is set to hold a public hearing on a controversial bill that could significantly alter two Maine fisheries.
The hearing was originally scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13, but due to the snowstorm it has been postponed. An exact date and time should be posted later this week.
Rep. Robert Alley (D-Beals) is offering a bill (LD 115) that would ban dragging for mussels in any Washington County river and close Maine intertidal flats to worm harvesting from Dec. 1 through March 31. Last week, the Independent Maine Marine Worm Harvesters Association sent a mailing to all marine worm license holders soliciting their opinions on the proposal.
Judging from responses posted on the association’s Facebook page and elsewhere online, there is little support for a closed season and a divided opinion on the dragging ban.