Gulf of Maine Mussel Dredge Fishery - MMPA List of Fisheries
U.S. fisheries are classified under the Marine Mammal Protection Act according to the level of interactions that result in incidental mortality or serious injury of marine mammals.
Current Classification on the List of Fisheries
Category |
III |
Estimated Number of Participants |
Unknown |
Target Species |
Blue mussel |
Applicable Take Reduction Plans |
N/A |
Observer Coverage |
N/A |
Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured |
None documented |
Basis for Current Classification
There have been no documented cases of marine mammal species/stock injured/killed by this gear.
Distribution
Harvested commercially from Maine to Long Island. In Maine, the best commercial mussel beds are found a few feet above and below mean low water between Casco Bay and Jonesport. Mussels can be harvested all year but most fishing is in the winter. Fishermen cannot fish for mussels at night from April 1 to October 31.
Gear Description
A mussel dredge is a framed mouth with an attached bag. Across the bottom of the mouth is either a cutting bar or a chain sweep that loosens the mussels as the drag is pulled across the bottom. The maximum width of the dredge is 6.5 feet.
Management
This fishery is managed under state regulations.
Historical Information
Original Category (Year added to the LOF) |
III (1989) |
Original Number of Participants |
>50 |
Basis for Original Classification |
Observer logbook are not available and stranding data did not indicate the fishery interacted with marine mammal species. |
Past Names |
N/A |
Species/stocks historically documented as killed or injured (but not currently on the list) |
N/A |
Timeline of Changes
2011 |
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