Maine Seafood Alliance, representing and advocating for all aspects of the Maine seafood industry.

Legislature Reviewing Scallop Bills

Marine Resources Committee reviewing 4 scallop bills

April 4, 2011

SOURCE: MSA

The Marine Resources Committee is reviewing four bills that concern the harvest of scallops on the Maine coast. The Committee will hold a public hearing on Thursday April 14th. See below for summaries of the four bills. For complete copies of any of the bills contact Gary Edwards, e-mail:gary@maineseafoodalliance.org or 422-0995.

Marine Resources Scallop Bill Summaries

LD 664 An Act To Ensure Apportionment of Scallop Licenses
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Commissioner of Marine Resources to adopt rules for the limited entry scallop system that contain a process to ensure that hand fishing scallop licenses and scallop dragging licenses are available in regions where those licenses were previously issued.

LD 725 An Act To Allow the Commissioner of Marine Resources To Use Discretion in Reissuing Scallop Licenses

SUMMARY
This bill allows the Commissioner of Marine Resources the discretion of reissuing a hand fishing scallop license to a person who did not meet the eligibility requirements for that license because of a substantial illness or medical condition on the part of that person or a family member.

LD 997 Resolve, Directing the Commissioner of Marine Resources To Review the Composition of the Scallop Advisory Council and Recommend Any Changes Necessary To Ensure Appropriate Representation

SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Commissioner of Marine Resources to review the composition of the Scallop Advisory Council to determine whether the number of members on the Scallop Advisory Council representing each type of license holder accurately represents the relative numbers of each type of license holder. The resolve directs the commissioner to report to the Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources on its findings by December 7, 2011 and recommend any changes necessary to ensure appropriate representation.

LD 1284 An Act To Amend the Scallop Advisory Council
SUMMARY
This bill alters the makeup of the Scallop Advisory Council to include one elected scallop harvester with a valid scallop license from each of the lobster management zones to serve on the council. It decreases the number of appointed members and ensures that the makeup of the council includes a mix of harvesters with hand fishing scallop licenses and dragging licenses. The Department of Marine Resources is directed to adopt routine technical rules governing the elections of council members. The bill also provides that the commissioner must seek the council's approval on decisions that affect the scallop fishery.