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Green Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) in Maine

Some of the links below are PDF files, and may require Adobe Reader software (download free here) .  Please visit our PDF Help page if you have trouble with PDF files, or contact Maggie Hunter if you need a different format.

 

• Maine Sea Urchin Zone Council Page
• Maine Sea Urchin Fishery and Research Information
• Maine Sea Urchin Fishery Laws and Regulations (Chapter 26, PDF file)
• Commercial Fishing License Applications (see Marine Harvesting Application)
• News, most recent first:
  • Portland Press Herald sea urchin article, Dec. 28, 2011
  • The Whiting Bay and Denny's Bay closure has been extended to May 1, 2012
  • Mandatory logbook reporting for Zone 1 harvesters will begin in September, 2010. Harvesters will be mailed forms and instructions. See the regulation text here as it was amended, PDF file, 5 pages, 49 kb. This regulation expires May 1, 2012.
  • New safety training requirements for divers and tenders, effective Dec. 21, 2009
  • Bangor Daily News sea urchin article, October 8, 2009
  • Effective Sept. 21, 2009, the harvest of sea urchins (and scallops) in Whiting Bay and Denny's Bay is prohibited.
• 2011-2012 Maine Sea Urchin Fishing Season Calendars - PDF file, 2 pages, 17 kb
• Licensing Notes:
• Zone 1 draggers must choose an early or late season by November 15.
• Zone 1 divers who wish to change their early/late season designation must do so by September 1.
• Zone 2 harvesters who wish to change their early/late season designation must do so by August 15.
• Harvesters who wish to switch zones must apply by July 31.  Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. A switch from Zone 1 to Zone 2 is only allowed if there is an applicant who wishes to switch from Zone 2 to Zone 1, and vice versa. 
• For more information, call the DMR licensing division at 624-6550.

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