DEPT. OF MARINE RESOURCES

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Ecology Division

John Sowles, Director

(207) 633-9518

 

The Ecology Division is responsible for research and monitoring of plants, animals and their habitats. Our primary function is to apply science to the protection and management of Maine’s exploited and non-exploited marine and estuarine resources. Projects range from water quality and habitat assessments to population biology, life histories, species distributions and risk assessments. While much of the work is done in-house, much is also done through collaboration with academic institutions, other government agencies, non-government organizations, and private companies. Projects change over time as different needs arise. Division staff are frequently called upon to provide technical expertise for various committees, task forces and working groups.

In 2006, the Ecology Division assumed additional responsibilities including the technical review of environmental permit applications and the federal protected resources program. The protected resources program is for marine mammals (and turtles) and is responsible for monitoring and managing marine mammal strandings and preventing large whale entanglement and injuries.

Select the links below for more information on programs in which the Ecology Division is actively involved.

• Aquaculture
• Bay Management
• Boothbay Harbor Environmental Data
• Eelgrass Mapping
• Environmental Permit Application Review
• Invasive Species
  • Asian Shore Crab Survey
  • Report to Legislature on "Non-Native Invasive Marine Species in Maine", 2006, pdf file
• Maine - New Hampshire Inshore Trawl Survey
• Marine Geographic Information Services
• Marine Mammal Strandings
• Recreational Fisheries
• Whales

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