DEPT. OF MARINE RESOURCES

• About DMR
• Aquaculture
• Aquarium, Library, Lighthouse, Education
• Commercial Fisheries
• Councils, Other Groups
• Health & Safety: Is it Safe to Eat/Swim/Fish?
• Laws and Regulations
• Licenses
• Marine Patrol
• Meetings and Hearings
• Municipal Shellfish
• Recreational Fishing
• Research and Surveys
• Species Info (lobsters, clams, whales, etc.)
• Weather, Tides, Sunrise, Environmental Data
• Wetlands, Permit Review

DMR Public Health Division Volunteer Programs

Thanks to all our volunteers for your help and support!

See below for more information on Water Quality, Phytoplankton, and Horseshoe Crab monitoring programs.

Volunteer participation benefits the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) in many ways. It provides us with an incredible resource of willing and able workers who donate their time because they are interested in what we are doing and want to actively contribute to the protection of Maine’s coastal resources. These relationships also provide us with an excellent opportunity to educate citizens and their communities about the ecological and economic importance of these resources, and to expose them to the wide range of research being conducted by DMR.  For more information, please contact Alison Sirois.

Growing Areas Classification Program: Water Quality Monitoring

DMR protects public health by monitoring coastal water quality and surveying the shoreline for pollution sources in all shellfish harvesting areas. Currently, volunteers assist by collecting over 40% of the water samples, for analysis at our labs in Lamoine and Boothbay Harbor. Water quality data is needed to regulate shellfish growing areas to ensure that only pollution-free areas are open to harvesting. Water samples are collected monthly from January through December. Volunteers work independently after receiving training and equipment needed to collect samples.

Water qualtity volunteer documents - these files are in PDF format and may require Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader (download here free) to view or print:

• 2009 Shellfish Growing Area Classification Program Re-certification test- pdf file, 25 kb
• 2009 Volunteer Water Quality Monitor training schedule - pdf file, 587 kb
• Volunteer guidance document - pdf file, 477 kb
• Water sampling field data sheet - pdf file, 63 kb
• Water sampling field data sheet with examples - pdf file, 76 kb
• Water sampling field data sheet for GPS coordinates - pdf file, 11 kb
• Site certification policy and procedures - pdf file, 60 kb
• Policy letter (dated 2-27-08) addressing conflict of interest - pdf file, 12 kb

Phytoplankton Monitoring

DMR is supporting community-based volunteer groups that monitor toxic phytoplankton species along the coast. Volunteers collect water samples in the spring, summer, and fall using field microscopes to identify the phytoplankton species. This volunteer program compliments the PSP biotoxin program carried out by DMR, which closes shellfish flats to harvesting when toxin(s) are found present in a species and are found at potentially harmful levels. Volunteers receive training, on-going support, and the necessary equipment to carry out the duties of this program.

Horseshoe Crab Monitoring

The DMR monitoring program will survey known spawning sites to monitor the status of the horseshoe crab populations in Maine. Volunteers will work with scientists to coordinate site surveys and collect data on spawning behavior, habitat and environmental conditions like water temperatures and salinity. These surveys are conducted at a minimum of 5 sites from Brunswick to Taunton Bay during the spawning season, May through June. Training will be provided.

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