Rockport, Maine. Winter light and Indian Island Light, built in 1849, in the background. According to local legend Indian Island is so named because Native Americans used it as a rendezvous and seasonal camping place. The lighthouse is located about half way up Penobscot Bay, the largest lobster producing area in Maine. The Penobscot River has a watershed area of 8,570 square miles. Peter Ralston photo www.ralstongallery.com
Scallop Feedback Wrapped Into New Season
by Sarah Craighead Dedmon
As fishermen and foodies counted down to the opening of Maine’s scallop season on Dec. 1, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) prepared by collecting feedback on the 2017-18 calendar and the controversial question of how to let new fishermen into the lucrative fishery.
More than 40 people attended the first of three public hearings, held at the University of Maine at Machias on Oct. 10. DMR Regulations Officer Amanda Ellis and Director of Marine Policy Deirdre Gilbert hosted with Melissa Smith. After the recent resignation of DMR scallop maven Trish Cheney, Smith took over in the lead role as marine resource coordinator for scallops.
The DMR’s final ruling for the 2017-18 scallop calendar keeps the season length the same as last year: 60 days dragging and diving in zone 1, 70 days in zone 2, and 55 in zone 3. Proposed daily catch limits also remain unchanged at 15 gallons in zone 1 and 2, and 10 gallons in zone 3.
Disputed waters
New this year, the DMR also proposed opening the waters around Machias Seal Island seven days a week, for the month of December. But, the proposed timing was not well received.
Lucas Johnson of Cutler said that he’d like to see the state and federal governments step in and assert sovereignty over Machias Seal Island, which has been mired in controversy for decades because both the U.S. and Canada claim ownership. “It shouldn’t be written down that we can’t go there, that’s just giving it to [Canada],” he said. “They’re there day and night for four months.”
