the State as a whole. Since the coastal counties in Maine usually extend 

 beyond the inland border of the characterization area, information specific to 

 the coastal area is not readily available. In addition, the data describing 

 each socioeconomic sector are not comparable: data for similar time periods 

 are not available for each sector, and available data were collected for 

 different purposes. As a result, the relative value (e.g., in dollars or 

 persons employed) of each sector (e.g., fishing, agriculture, and forestry) in 

 the coastal Maine economy is difficult to determine. 



Commercial fishing, forestry, agriculture, mineral extraction, sport fishing, 

 hunting, and trapping are the socioeconomic sectors that directly harvest the 

 region's resources. Other socioeconomic sectors, including transportation, 

 industry, and recreation, alter habitats (wetlands impounded or filled or 

 forests cleared) and generate wastes (discharge effluents into the ecosystem). 

 The impacts of socioeconomic activities on the ecosystem are described in 

 chapter 3, "Human Impacts on the Ecosystem." 



Fisheries . Fishing and shore-based fish processing industries constitute 

 a large portion of coastal Maine's economy. The Maine Department of Marine 

 Resources (MDMR) estimates that the total annual value of marine fisheries in 

 Maine is over $300 million (C. E. Maguire, Inc. 1978; includes the entire coast 

 from Eastport to Kittery) . 



The landed weight of many species has declined over a 20-year period, while 

 the landed value (unadjusted for inflation) has continued to increase, 

 especially in the lobster and clam fisheries. A comparison of landed weights 

 and values during selected years over a 20-year period is shown by species in 

 table 2-12. The locations of areas important to fish and shellfish harvest in 

 coastal Maine are illustrated on atlas map 4. 



Of approximately 14 species of fishes reported in the landings, sea herring 

 and ocean perch have comprised 70% of the total weight in recent years. These 

 and five other low value species account for 90% of all landed finfish by 

 weight. Highly valued species, such as cod, halibut, and haddock, amount to 

 only 5% of the total landed weight. Distance from major markets, lack of 

 adequate shore-side processing, and competitively lower prices elsewhere in 

 New England have contributed to the fishery's lack of growth (C.E. Maguire, 

 Inc. 1978). 



Lobster is the most valuable fishery in coastal Maine. Lobster landings have 

 declined from 22 million pounds in 1955 to 19 million pounds in 1976, yet 

 their value has doubled from $16 million to $32 million (in 1977). In the 

 characterization area approximately 7000 lobster licenses were issued, 4600 

 boats were in operation, and approximately 650,000 traps were fished in 1976 

 (Maine Department of Marine Resources 1976). 



The clam fishery is second in value to lobsters. Due to the extent of 

 intertidal habitat and the low pollution levels in flats in eastern Maine, 

 the clam industry increases in value progressively towards Washington County 

 (region 6), where nearly half of the landed soft-shelled clams are harvested. 

 Regions 5 and 6 accounted for 73% of the 1977 clam harvest (Maine Department 

 of Marine Resources 1977). However, according to the same source, a serious 

 decline was noted in clam harvest, especially in Hancock County (regions 4 and 

 5). As a result, conservation measures, such as town clam ordinances, have 



2-55 



10-80 



