DMR has regulations that restrict the movement of marine organisms by people within the state. These regulations vary based on the category of the species as well as the severity of the implications of disease within those species. Below are brief explanations of these regulations. More detailed information can be found in Chapter 24 of DMR’s regulations.
- Finfish
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The movement of cultured finfish within the state of Maine is tightly regulated. This is due to the fact that disease outbreaks in finfish constitute large threats to not only aquaculture fish but also wild populations of fish. Finfish are therefore restricted to moving between facilities that have robust biosecurity measures and routine screening of their stock to ensure that aquaculture fish do not introduce new pathogens or amplify endemic pathogens in Maine’s state waters.
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Shellfish
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Regulations regarding bivalve shellfish aquaculture in Maine largely revolve around the containment of a microscopic, internal parasite known colloquially as MSX. MSX was identified as the cause for massive oyster die-offs in the Damariscotta in 2010, which led to the creation of MSX restricted areas. Additionally, LPA Health Zones were formed to prevent the spread diseases found in single watershed from moving to others
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Crustaceans
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Lobsters and crabs are the primary crustaceans of importance within Maine. Due to their mobility, these organisms’ movements are not restricted within the state as there is an assumption that they are able to move freely in the wild.
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Algae/kelp
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At the moment, DMR only requires that kelp be cultured from stock originating in Maine’s coastal waters (Ch2.90.2B). They are allowed unrestricted movement in the state, as the primary species that are cultured are found all along Maine’s coastline