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

Chapter 7.70 Intertidal mussel harvesting by drag or dredge

October 2, 2008

SOURCE: DMR

The Commissioner proposes rules to establish intertidal mussel harvesting areas and the permit process to harvest mussels by drag in these areas. The proposed rules would provide compliance with statutes effective June 30, 2008 in accordance with 12 M.R.S.A. §6671(3)(A)(5) and (12) that give municipalities a mechanism to designate specific areas of their flats that have been seeded and need protection from intertidal dragging while allowing mussel harvester's using drags to have access to areas that are not being actively managed by a town. A copy of the new statutes is available online at: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/ros/lom/LOM123rd/123R2/PUBLIC494.asp

PUBLIC HEARINGS:
October 14, 2008, 6:00pm, Ellsworth City Hall (Auditorium), One City Hall Plaza,
October 15, 2008, 6:00 PM**, Department of Marine Resources, Large Conference Room, 200 McKown Point Road, West Boothbay Harbor
**The public hearing for the proposed rules in Chapter 7.70 will be held immediately upon the conclusion of the hearing for Chapter 16.27 Shellfish receiving. See separate rulemaking notice for rules not listed in this notice.
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: October 27, 2008
To ensure consideration, comments must include your name and the organization you represent, if any. Please be aware that any risk of non-delivery associated with submissions by fax or e-mail is on the sender.
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Denis-Marc Nault (207- 422-2092)