February 11, 2016 — The scalloping season is scheduled from December through March or April, depending on which fishing zone you’re in.
State waters are broken up into three zones, each with its own set of rules.
Wednesday, Caitlin Burchill took us scallop fishing in Cobscook Bay, an area which has since been closed to scallop fishing for the season.
The Department of Marine Resources says they’ve made the scallop fishery their top priority.
While Maine may be known for lobster, they want fisherman to have another seafood to fall back on.
In recent years, the DMR has implemented special closures, shorter seasons, and fishing limits, among other things, to help rebuild the fishery after it was overfished and hit rock bottom in 2005.
State regulators say it’s working, but what do fishermen think about all the rules?
Caitlin Burchill looks into it.
===
Tim Sheehan sees scallop harvesters at the end of a hard day’s work.
Many stop by his store in Perry to sell him fresh caught Cobscook Bay scallops.
“Everyone needs to eat and the prices are going up and up and up. Years ago, guys would fish all day to get $5 a pound. Well now, I’m paying them $12.50 and you know for a half a days work, not that they don’t have huge overhead, it’s pretty good days pay,” said Sheehan.
A better price perhaps thanks to the creation of fishery management plans.
Trisha Cheney overseas the scallop fishery for the Department of Marine Resources.
“We base all of our management on the best available science, so we also have a science team that’s in the field collecting information,” said Cheney.
The state also gets input from fishermen.
“Three different management approaches in three different areas of the state, and it’s based on what the harvesters want in that area and we’ve seen different success in those areas as well,” said Cheney.
But when Cheney calls for closures, she understandably gets some angry phone calls.