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*Notice to all interested parties: 

*The Maine Department of Marine Resources has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for *Chapter 11: Scallops [Season 2026-2027]. 

*Public comment on this proposed rulemaking ends *September 6, 2026*. DMR encourages all interested parties to comment on the proposed rulemaking. 

*Brief Summary: *This proposed rulemaking establishes the 2026-2027 scallop fishing season. All dates specified are inclusive. For Zone 1, a 60-day season for draggers is proposed from December 7, 2026 to March 18, 2027. For Zone 1, a 60-day season for divers is proposed from December 2, 2026 to April 30, 2027. For Zone 2, a 70-day season for draggers is proposed from December 1, 2026 to March 30, 2027. For Zone 2, a 70-day season for divers is proposed from November 18, 2026 to April 24, 2027. For Zone 3, a 50-day season for draggers is proposed from December 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027. For Zone 3, a 50-day season for divers is proposed from December 2, 2026 to February 26, 2027. The following areas would remain limited access: Outer Western Casco Bay, Sheepscot River, Damariscotta River, and Muscle Ridge. The following areas would remain targeted closures: Lower Muscle Ridge, Upper Sheepscot River, New Meadows River, Card Cove and Beals-Jonesport Bridge. This rulemaking also proposes limited access areas for Eastern Casco Bay in Zone 1, and Gouldsboro and Dyers Bays in Zone 2. Targeted closures for recovery and rebuilding are proposed for Skillings River and Casco Passage in Zone 2. Whiting and Dennys Bays would be open as specified by Zone 3 calendars, except they would be closed to dragging on Wednesdays. It is proposed that the meat count for Cobscook be decreased from 35 to 30 meats per pint. The rotational management plan for 2026-2027 proposes the following: Rotation C (Third) would be restricted to scallop harvesting by hand (diving); Rotation A (First) would be restricted to scallop harvesting by dredge gear.; and Rotation B (Second) would be closed to all harvest.

*HOW TO COMMENT:*


* Write to: Aurora Burgess, 21 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333

* Send an email to: [email protected]
* Fax a letter to: 207-624-6024

*COMMENT DEADLINE: *Sunday, September 6, 2026

*A copy of the proposed rule is available at: [link removed]. *

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