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Scallops

Good afternoon,?

The DMR Advisory Council has reviewed and approved the proposed rulemaking for Chapter 11 Scallops, setting the 2022-2023 season. This notice is to inform harvesters that scallop season materials are now available on the DMR website [ [link removed] ]?under "Maine Scallop Management for 2022-2023" and to also provide a summary of changes for the upcoming 2022-2023 season.?

*What's new for 2022-2023??*


* In Zone 2, Rotation B (Second) will be open for harvesting by DRAGGERS only, while Rotation A (First) will be open for harvesting by DIVING only. Rotation C (Third) is closed to all harvest. (See link below for online Scallop Map)
* Scallop fishery now requires electronic reporting of day trips, submitted weekly by Sunday 11:59 p.m. The same information previously requested via paper logbooks can be submitted either through using the online LEEDS reporting platform [ [link removed] ] or the VESL harvester application [ [link removed] ] for iPhone and Android smartphones. For assistance with online reporting, please contact [email protected] or 207-633-9500 - option 2 for landings.?

*The 2022-2023 Scallop season page is active!* It contains the following downloadable documents:?


* 2022-2023 Drag Calendars (see attached)
* 2022-2023 Dive Calendars (see attached)
* Individual charts for printing of all Zones

The online Scallop Management Areas Map [ [link removed] ]?has been updated to reflect the separation of the drag and dive harvest. Click refresh to update your bookmark before you begin harvest.?

The calendar pdfs (attached links below) also include the Augusta sunrise tables for the duration of the scallop season as a quick reference.??

For questions on scallop management, contact [email protected] @ 207.441.5040.? Also,?scallop questions may be directed to your local patrol officers [ [link removed] ]; Patrol Division Lts (633-9595 for Division 1, or 664-2392 for Division 2).?

For questions on scallop science, surveys, etc., contact Kathleen Reardon. Email: [email protected] or Phone: 207.350.7440.?

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*CONCISE SUMMARY:*

This proposed rule-making establishes the 2022-2023 scallop fishing season. Daily possession limits of 15 gallons for Zone 1 and Zone 2, and 10 gallons for Zone 3 remain unchanged. For Zone 1, a 60-day season for draggers would begin on December 12, 2022 and the last day of the season would be March 23, 2023. For Zone 1, a 60-day season for divers would start on November 15, 2022 and the last day of the season would be April 29, 2023. For Zone 2, a 70-day season for draggers would start on December 1, 2022 and the last day of the season would be March 30, 2023. For Zone 2, a 70-day season for divers would start on November 17, 2022 and the last day of the season would be April 22, 2023. For Zone 3, a 50-day season for draggers would begin on December 5, 2022 and the last day of the season would be March 28, 2023. For Zone 3, a 50-day season for divers would begin on December 1, 2022 and the last day of the season would be April 29, 2023.

Harvesting of scallops by hand (diving) is restricted to Rotation A (First) only for the 2022-2023 season. Harvesting for scallops by dredge gear is restricted to Rotation B (Second) only for the 2022-2023 season. A new limited access area is proposed for East Moosabec Reach in Zone 2 for the 2022-2023 season. The St. Croix River in Zone 3 re-opens to harvest for the 2022-2023 season.

DMR would maintain the following Limited Access Areas: Western Penobscot Bay, Muscle Ridge, Whiting and Denny?s Bays. Additionally, the following existing targeted closures based on depletion, high concentrations of seed/sublegal scallops and/or the presence of spat-producing scallops would be maintained: Lower Muscle Ridge, Upper Sheepscot River, New Meadows River, Card Cove and Beals-Jonesport Bridge.

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Please note: This inbox is not monitored for replies.?


* Chapter11_RR11012022.pdf [ [link removed] ]
* Scallop 2022-2023 DIVE Calendar plus Sunrise.pdf [ [link removed] ]
* Scallop 2022-2023 DRAG Calendar plus Sunrise.pdf [ [link removed] ]

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Fair winds to you and yours.

?

*Melissa D. Smith*

Marine Resource Management Coordinator - Scallop & Pelagic Fisheries

Maine Department of Marine Resources

21 State House Station, 32 Blossom Lane

Augusta, ME 04333-0021

*Updated contact info: *Call or text (207) 441-5040

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DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL AS RESPONSES ARE NOT MONITORED.?

This service is provided to you at no charge by Maine Department of Marine Resources [ [link removed] ].?

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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maine Department of Marine Resources?? 21 State House Station ? Augusta, ME 04333-0021? 207-624-6550 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]