Proposed scallop season reduction under fire
The state’s proposal to reduce the 2014-2015 scallop season by 22 days in most locations received a cool reception at a recent Scallop Advisory Council meeting in Brewer.
The Ellsworth American reported that the Maine Department of Marine Resources’ proposal would shorten the scallop season to 48 days in most locations, down from last year’s 70-day season. In Cobscook Bay, where the season was limited to 50 days last year and closed 17 days earlier because of low scallop populations, the DMR is proposing 32 days.
The newspaper noted that the proposed season reduction is in response to overfishing that had led to emergency closures in several areas last season.
Fishermen at the Scallop Advisory Council’s meeting criticized the proposed reduction, saying the unpredictable weather could further reduce the days available in this year’s coming season. Others questioned the methodology used to determine the proposed reduction.
The advisory council voted to recommend a 70-day season across the state, saying it would rather have the DMR reduce days on an as-needed basis.
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