AUGUSTA – On Thursday, May 8, the Legislature’s Marine Resources Committee unanimously voted to support a bill sponsored by Rep. Holly Eaton, D-Deer Isle, to create a pilot program for the testing of biotoxins in cultured scallops.
“This bill represents years of work by growers, advocates and organizations who believe in the future of scallop farming here in Maine,” said Eaton. “Scallop farming holds real promise for diversifying our fisheries and supporting our working waterfront communities, and it was an honor to bring forward this bill with such a dedicated team behind it.”
Eaton introduced the measure on behalf of Coastal Enterprises, Inc. and Bobby and Marsden Brewer, owner of PenBay Farmed Scallops. Both organizations testified in support of the proposal, as did the Maine Aquaculture Association.
As amended, LD 1279 would create a pilot program to conduct biotoxin testing of whole cultured scallops or the roe of cultured scallops in the same manner as the testing for other cultured mollusks under the Marine Shellfish Toxins Monitoring Program. This program would be overseen by the Department of Marine Resources, and the bill allocates $50,000 in fiscal year 2025-26 and in 2026-27 to carry out the program.
The bill now faces consideration by the full Legislature.
Eaton is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents the communities of Brooklin, Deer Isle, Eagle Island Township, Frenchboro, Southwest Harbor, Stonington, Swan’s Island, Tremont, Isle au Haut and Vinalhaven. She serves as a member of the Marine Resources Committee and the Transportation Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Milliken) | 305-965-2744