Importance to Humanity 



The sea scallop has been used for food in Maine since colonial times, although 

 a commercial fishery did not develop until the latter part of the 19th 

 century. In 1910 a catch of over 2 million pounds of scallops was recorded 

 for nearshore waters of Maine. 



Catch statistics have varied considerably over the last 10 years (see figure 

 12-3). Variations may be the result of incomplete or inconsistent reporting 

 as well as changes in abundance. 



The 1978 peak may be due to more extensive fishing for scallops in offshore 

 waters. As of November 1978, at least 30% of the catch (Maine Landings 1978) 

 came from the offshore fishery. In previous years the catch during the months 

 when the inshore fishery is closed amounted to <1% of the total catch for the 

 year. 



The inshore scallop fishery in Maine is seasonal by law (see below) . Most 

 scallop fishermen harvest either lobsters, mussels, or fish during the other 

 months of the year. 



Management 



Maine's inshore sea scallop fishery is subject to several state regulations. 

 Since 1947 the scallop fishing season has been closed from 16 April to 31 

 October. There are no closed seasons offshore of the headlands and principal 

 islands in Penobscot Bay (see Maine Marine Resources Laws and Regulations, 

 1979, for exact locations). The purpose of the closed-season regulation is to 

 allow scallop beds disrupted by fishing to reaggregate. The effect of the 

 closed season on inshore beds is unknown. 



A license is required for harvest of over 2 bu of shelled scallops or 4 qt of 

 shucked scallops in any one day. Minimum legal size is 3 inches (76 mm) in 

 the longest diameter. If more than 10% of any catch consists of undersized 

 scallops, the fisherman is liable to a fine. The minimum-size limit is 

 enforced to allow scallops to reproduce at least once before being harvested. 



AMERICAN LOBSTER ( Homarus americanus ) 



The American lobster is a decapod (i.e., ten-legged) crustacean that lives on 

 subtidal bottoms. It is an omnivorous scavenger that feeds primarily at night 

 and finds shelter in burrows or crevices during the day. Lobstering supports 

 the largest commercial shellfish industry in Maine. 



Distribution and Abundance 



Lobsters are found from Labrador to North Carolina, from mean low water level 

 to depths over 2300 feet (700 m) . Major commercial fishing occurs in coastal 

 waters and along the edge of the continental shelf, particularly in the 

 submarine canyons (e.g., Hudson Canyon). 



Commercial fishing in the characterization area is principally in coastal bays 

 around nearshore islands and in high salinity waters (>20 ppt) of estuaries. 



12-14 



