Code of Maine Rules › 13 - DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES › 188 - MARINE RESOURCES - GENERAL › Chapter 12 - MUSSELS › Section 188-12-06 - Seed Mussel Conservation Areas

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. To conserve and
				provide for effective management of unique mussel areas, seed mussel
				conservation areas will be designated by the Department of Marine Resources.
				These areas will be selected based upon several considerations, to include
				either singly or in combination but not limited to: geographic extent, density,
				population size distribution, extent subject to winter mortality, and
				condition.
B.
Areas
				Defined
. It shall be unlawful to take mussels (
Mytilus
				edulis
) by any method or manner from designated seed mussel
				conservation area(s) without a permit issued by the commissioner of the
				Department of Marine Resources. Descriptions of designated areas are as
				follows:
Jordan River, Trenton/Lamoine Description
Except by permit defined above, it shall be unlawful to
				  harvest in any manner or possess mussels taken from the shores, flats, and
				  waters of Jordan River in the towns of Trenton and Lamoine, Hancock County,
				  inside and upstream of a line drawn from the mouth of Crippens Brook, on the
				  western shore, due east to the eastern shore of Jordan River.
West Bay, Gouldsboro Description
Except by permit defined above, it shall be unlawful to
				  harvest in any manner or possess mussels taken from the shores, flats, and
				  waters of West Bay and Grand Marsh Bay in the town of Gouldsboro, Hancock
				  County, northwesterly of a line drawn from the northernmost tip of Marsh Point,
				  northeasterly to the southernmost tip of Jetteau Point.
Narraguagus Bay, Milbridge/Harrington
				  Description
Except by permit defined above, it shall be unlawful to
				  harvest in any manner or possess mussels taken from the shores, flats, and
				  waters of that area of Narraguagus Bay, in the towns of Milbridge and
				  Harrington, Washington County, northerly of a line running from the
				  southwesternmost tip of Foster Island, northwesterly to Clam Ledge, and
				  continuing to a point of land on the easternmost tip of Fickett Point, on the
				  east side of Sinclair Cove, so-called; and southerly of a line running from the
				  northernmost tip of Foster Island, northwestely to the southwesternmost tip of
				  Pinkham Island, continuing northwesterly to the easternmost point of Strout
				  Point.
Harrington River, Milbridge/Harrington
				  Description
Except by permit defined above, it shall be unlawful to
				  harvest in any manner or possess mussels taken from the shores, flats, and
				  waters of that area of Harrington River and Flat Bay, in the towns of
				  Harrington and Milbridge, Washington County, lying southwesterly of a line
				  running from the north-westernmost point of land bordering West Carrying Place
				  Cove, northwesterly to the northernmost island of the Five Islands, and
				  continuing westerly to the northernmost point of land bordering Five Islands
				  Cove; and northeasterly of a line running from the southernmost point of land
				  bordering West Carrying Place Cove, northwesterly to Chamberly Island,
				  continuing northwest to the northernmost tip of Blasket Point, thence northeast
				  to the southwesternmost tip Pineo Point.
C. The Department may issue on a
				first-come-first-serve basis a no-cost permit to licensed mussel fishermen
				which shall authorize the permit holder to fish in designated seed mussel
				conservation areas, consistent with provisions of statute and
				regulation.