Nearshore Marine Resources Program

Mission

The softshell clam resource belongs to the people of the State of Maine. The Department of Marine Resources must ensure that municipalities assuming the responsibility of managing shellfish resources do so in a manner consistent with the state's goal of balancing the use and conservation of the resource. Towns manage their shellfish resources to the lower tide line (except for intertidal mussel harvest permits), by adopting and enforcing a town shellfish conservation ordinance.

The Marine Resource Scientists are responsible for helping municipalities with resource assessment and management of their shellfish ordinances. The Shellfish Program Coordinator manages the Municipal Shellfish warden eligibility and training program. 

Staff Contact Information

Municipal Shellfish Warden Application and Training

Municipal Shellfish Management Mini-Grant

Town Shellfish Ordinances, Permits & Intertidal Management Plans

  • This link contains town Conservation Closure permits, Transplant permits, Shellfish Ordinances, Intertidal Management Plans, and coordinating maps.

News & Meetings

Current shellfish closures

Other Information

Program Laws and Regulations

The Nearshore Marine Resources program is governed by DMR Regulations Chapters 4 and 7, as well as in statute: Title 12, §6671: Municipal shellfish conservation programs.