Maine Red Tide and Shellfish Sanitation Hotline
1-800-232-4733 or 207-633-9571
"This message was last updated on Friday July 3, 2009 at 2:05 PM.
Thank you for calling the Department of Marine Resources Red Tide and Shellfish Sanitation Hotline.
The DMR announces the following:
Area No. 500, the Coastal Maine Flood closure, has been modified by closing the Sheepscot River, the Damariscotta River and the Medomak River due to extremely heavy rainfall occurring on Thursday night. The following areas are currently closed:
Cape Neddick (York) to Dyer Point (Cape Elizabeth); Maquoit Bay, from Flying Pt (Freeport) to Mere Pt (Brunswick); Lands End, Bailey Island (Harpswell) to Small Pt (Phippsburg), including Long Reach and Doughy Cove; Indian Point (Georgetown) to Cape Rosier (Brooksville); and Point of Maine (Machiasport) to the Canadian Border. All areas in the Kennebec River which are conditional on river discharge, including Atkins Bay, Sagadahoc Bay and Heal Eddy, remain closed due to the river discharge exceeding 30,000 cfs.
PSP Area No. 64-A has been expanded to include more area in Tremont, and has been amended to create exception areas for the harvest of soft-shell clams in Seal Cove and Back Cove on Swans Island.
PSP Area No. 64-B has been amended to create an exception area for mussel and soft-shell clam harvest in the vicinity of the Chandler River, and for the harvest of soft-shell clams in Little Kennebec Bay and in upper Machias Bay.
Please go to the species sections in the hotline to get more details on these areas.
All pre-existing pollution and Red tide/ PSP closures remain in effect.
For details on closure lines, please see the website at www.maine.gov/dmr or contact your local marine patrol officer.
Automatic – Main Menu
This system is provided to allow public access to current status for red tide closures, large-scale flood repeated closures, the status of conditionally approved harvest areas and information on swim beach monitoring.
If you have a touch-tone phone, and you know your selection, you may press it at anytime during this message.
There are many closures due to sewage pollution in effect along the entire Maine coast. If you need more details about these pollution closures, you should contact the Marine Patrol Division in the area in which you plan to harvest.
These are:
* Division I: Includes the area from the N.H. border to the western shore of the St. George River. Their number is 633-9595.
* Division II: Includes the area from the eastern shore of the St. George River to the Canadian Border. Their number is 667-3373.
If you are calling from a touchtone phone and want access to red tide closures, press 1 now. If you want information about the current status of a flood closure, press 2 now. If you want information on the status of conditionally approved harvest areas press 3 now. If you want information on swim beach monitoring, press 4 now. If you are calling from a rotary phone, stay on the line and you will hear all messages.
Red Tide Closures (50100)
If you know the selection you want, you may press it at anytime during this message. Red tide closures are organized by species. For the latest closure information press the appropriate number associated with the species. Only the shellfish mentioned below are affected by “red tide” and other marine biotoxins. Red tide and other toxin closures do not affect lobsters, shrimp, crabs, finfish or periwinkles.
For Soft Shell Clams, Oysters and Surf or Hen Clams, press 1 now; for Mussels and Carnivorous Snails, press 2 now; for Ocean Quahogs or Hard Clams, press 3 now; for Whelks, press 4 now.
To return to the main menu, press 0 now.
1 – Soft Shell Clams, Surf or Hen Clams, and Oysters (50101):
There are currently three closures for clams. The first closure includes all the waters inside and shoreward from Basin Pt, to Potts Pt, to Jaquish Island (Harpswell), continuing east to Small Pt (Phippsburg), AND south of the Ewin Narrows bridge (Harpswell), AND south of a line drawn from Indian Point (Harpswell), across the New Meadows River to the south tip of Merritt Island, and then to the south tip of land at Sabino Landing Cove (West Bath).
The second closure for clams is from Kimball Head (Isle au Haut) to Petit Manan (Steuben). This closure includes the area east of a line beginning at the west tip of Kimball Head (Isle au Haut), then extending south to the limits of U.S. jurisdiction; AND south of a line beginning at the north tip of Kimball Head (Isle au Haut), then extending northeast to the north tip of Burnt Island (Isle au Haut), then extending northeast to the northwest tip of Pond Is. (Frenchboro), then northeast to the south tip of Tinker Island (Tremont), then northeast to the northwest tip of the point of land at the mouth of Sawyer Cove (Tremont), and south of a line beginning at the east tip of Ogden Pt (Bar Harbor), then running northeast to the south tip of Bunker Cove (Gouldsboro) and west of a line beginning at the south tip of Petit Manan Pt. (Steuben), then extending south to the limits of U.S. jurisdiction.
There is an exception area for the harvest of soft-shell clams in Seal Cove and Back Cove on Swans Island.
The third closure for clams includes the waters south and east of Cape Split (Addison) to the Canadian border.
There is an exception area for the harvest of soft-shell clams in the vicinity of the Chandler River, north of a line beginning at the south tip of the point of land that forms the mouth of the Sandy River (Jonesport), then running northeast to the red ‘N 2’ navigational buoy, then running due east to the nearest point of land on Roque Island (Jonesport); AND north of a line beginning at the north tip of Great Head on Roque Island (Jonesport), then running northeast to the west tip of Shoppee Point (Roque Bluffs).
There is an exception area for the harvest of soft-shell clams in Little Kennebec Bay, north and west of a line beginning at the east tip of Sea Wall Point (Roque Bluffs), then running north to the west tip of Yoho Head (Machiasport).
There is an exception area for the harvest of soft-shell clams in Machias Bay, north of a line beginning at the east tip of Bucks Head (Machiasport), then running northeast to the south tip of Red Point (Cutler).
There are no closures for American oysters.
Closures to European oysters are the same as for Mussels and Carnivorous snails.
To return to the main menu press 0 now.
2 – Mussels and Carnivorous Snails (50102):
There are currently three closures for mussels and carnivorous snails.
The first closure includes all the waters from the ME/NH border to Spruce Head (So. Thomaston), and extends to the limits of US jurisdiction. There is an exception area for mussel harvest north of Cox Head in the Kennebec River. There is an exception area for mussel harvest north of Carlisle Point in the Damariscotta River. There is an exception area for mussel harvest north of Round Pond in Muscongus Bay. There is an exception area for mussel harvest north of Bailey Pt in the St. George River.
The second closure for mussels and carnivorous snails is from Kimball Head (Isle au Haut) to Petit Manan (Steuben). This closure includes the area east of a line beginning at the west tip of Kimball Head (Isle au Haut), then extending south to the limits of U.S. jurisdiction; AND south of a line beginning at the north tip of Kimball Head (Isle au Haut), then extending northeast to the north tip of Burnt Island (Isle au Haut), then extending northeast to the northwest tip of Pond Is. (Frenchboro), then northeast to the south tip of Tinker Island (Tremont), then northeast to the northwest tip of the point of land at the mouth of Sawyer Cove (Tremont), and south of a line beginning at the east tip of Ogden Pt (Bar Harbor), then running northeast to the south tip of Bunker Cove (Gouldsboro) and west of a line beginning at the south tip of Petit Manan Pt. (Steuben), then extending south to the limits of U.S. jurisdiction.
The third closure includes the waters east of a line beginning at the southeast tip of Cape Split (Addison) then extending south to the limits of U.S. jurisdiction and north and east to the US/Canadian border.
There is an exception area for the harvest of mussels in the vicinity of the Chandler River, north of a line beginning at the south tip of the point of land that forms the mouth of the Sandy River (Jonesport), then running northeast to the red ‘N 2’ navigational buoy, then running due east to the nearest point of land on Roque Island (Jonesport); AND north of a line beginning at the north tip of Great Head on Roque Island (Jonesport), then running northeast to the west tip of Shoppee Point (Roque Bluffs).
To return to the main menu press 0 now.
3 – Ocean Quahogs or Hard Clams (50103):
There are two closures for the harvest of ocean quahogs. The first closure extends from the Maine-New Hampshire border to Schoodic Pt in Winter Harbor, and seaward to the limits of U.S. jurisdiction.
The second closure extends from Schoodic Pt, Winter Harbor to the Canadian border, and seaward to the limits of U.S. jurisdiction.
To return to the main menu press 0 now.
4 – Whelks (also known as conchles or conchs) (50104):
All Maine flats and waters located between the New Hampshire boundary and the Canadian boundary out to the jurisdiction of the United States are closed for the taking of whelks.
There is one EXCEPTION to this rule. The common Northern whelk (also known as the waved whelk) and the Stimpson’s whelk can be harvested in the waters of the State of Maine, except where there is a PSP closure in place for carnivorous snails.
To return to the main menu press 0 now.
Flood Closures (50106):
There is a flood closure of the Maine coast in the following areas: from Cape Neddick (York) to Dyer Point (Cape Elizabeth); in Maquoit Bay, from Flying Pt (Freeport) to Mere Pt (Brunswick); from Lands End, Bailey Island (Harpswell) to Small Pt (Phippsburg), including Long Reach and Doughy Cove; from Indian Point (Georgetown) to Cape Rosier (Brooksville); and from Point of Maine (Machiasport) to the Canadian Border.
To return to the main menu press 0 now.
Conditional Areas:
There are several shellfish areas in the state of Maine which open and close depending on various conditions, which affect the pollution levels. A list of these areas is available from the Marine Patrol. To listen to the current status for conditional areas impacted by rainfall or sewage treatment plant malfunctions, press 1 now. To listen to a list of areas which open and close on a seasonal basis press 2 now.
To return to the main menu press 0 now.
Rainfall, Sewage Treatment Plant and River Discharge Conditional Areas (50110):
The following list includes the conditional areas, which are currently closed for shellfish harvesting due to either rainfall, a malfunction at a local sewage treatment plant or exceedences of river discharge. This list was updated July 1, 2009. If you know you will be harvesting in a conditional area, you should check with your local Marine Patrol Officer, your local shellfish warden, or your local shellfish committee.
Area No. 20, Kennebec River and Tributaries, - this amendment closes the river discharge conditional areas in the Kennebec River, Heal Eddy and Sagadahoc Bay, due to river discharge exceeding 30,000 cfs.
Area No. 26, Medomak River (Waldoboro, Bremen, and Friendship) - this amendment closes the rainfall conditional areas in the Medomak River due to rain exceeding 1 inch in a 24 hour period.
Area No. 27, Upper St George River and Tributaries (Warren to St George) – this amendment closes the rainfall conditional area on the St George River due to rain exceeding 1.5 inches in a 24 hour period.
Area No. 27, Upper St. George River and Tributaries (Warren to St. George)- this amendment closes the St. George River conditionally restricted area due to a controlled release of treated wastewater from the Thomaston Treatment Facility.
Area No. 40, Northern Morgan Bay (Surry), Union River Bay, Patten Bay and Heath Brook (Surry, Ellsworth, Trenton) and Goose Cove (Trenton). This amendment closes the Union River conditional area due to bypass at the Ellsworth WWTP.
Area No. 55, Machias and East Machias Rivers and Machias Bay (Machias, East Machias, Machiasport, Whiting, Cutler) - this amendment CLOSES the Sanborn Cove-Randall Point Flats Conditionally Approved area and the Sanborn Cove Conditionally Restricted areas to harvesting, following a malfunction/CSO event of the Machias Wastewater Treatment Plant
For details about the closure lines contact the local Marine Patrol Headquarters in your area.
To return to the main menu press 0 now.
Seasonal Conditional Areas (50111):
The following list includes all conditionally approved areas, which change status depending on the time of year and will open on the day specified as long as water quality meets approved standards and/or potential pollution sources are not present, such as boats in marina areas. If any of these areas do not meet criteria to open as scheduled, they will be listed in the opening message of this recording.
Area 10, Hills Beach and north half of Biddeford Pool; open 10/1 – 5/31.
Area 12, Scarborough Beach area and Crescent Beach area; open 12/1 – 5/31
Area 15, Harraseeket River marina area; open 12/1 – 4/30
Area 16, Upper Maquoit Bay; open 4/1 - 8/31
Area 16, Paul’s Marina at Merepoint Neck; open 11/1 – 4/14
Area 17-B, Upper Basin Cove; open 12/1 – 4/30.
Lower Basin Cove; open 11/1 – 4/15
Area 18, Orrs Cove; open 12/01 – 04/30
Lower Mill Cove; open 10/01 – 04/30
Area 19-A, Upper New Meadows River; open 11/16 – 4/30
Area 19-C, Lower New Meadows River, Tottman Cove; open 10/1 – 6/30 and Hermit Island area; open 11/16 – 5/31
Area 20, Kennebec River by Cox Head; open 1/1 - 9/30
Area 20, Kennebec River by Squirrel Pt; open 1/1 - 9/30
Area 20, Kennebec River Todd Bay; open 1/1-8/31
Area 26, Western Branch of Broad Cove, Medomak River; open 10/1 – 4/30
Area 27B, Lower St. George River; lower Broad Cove; open 10/1 – 5/31
Area 36D (Part B), Penobscot-Bagaduce Rivers marina area; open 11/1 – 4/30
Area 39-A (Part B), Benjamin River; open 11/1 – 4/30
Area 39-A (Part C), Center Harbor, Brooklin; open 11/1 – 4/30
Area 44, Somes Harbor, Mt Desert; open 10/1 – 4/30; and Gary Moore Cove open 11/15 – 4/30
Northeast Harbor, Mt. Desert; open 11/1-4/30
Area 47, Thomas Bay, Bar Harbor;
Conditional 10/1 – 4/30 Restricted 5/1 – 9/30
Area 50, Sorrento Harbor; open 10/1 – 4/30
Area 52-F, Birch Harbor, Gouldsboro; open 11/1 – 6/30
Area 54-B, Indian and West Rivers, Jonesport-Addison; currently CLOSED
For details about the closure lines contact your local Marine Patrol Officer or the Marine Patrol Headquarters in your area."
