The Department of Marine Resources is announcing the annual lotteries for scallop drag and scallop dive licenses. Based on licenses retired in 2023, the Department is making available 8 drag licenses (4 drag licenses will be awarded to individuals between the age of 18-30 and 4 scallop drag licenses awarded to individuals 31 years of age or older) and 5 dive licenses. The Department will begin accepting applications at noon on September 30, and the lotteries will remain open until 4:30 pm October 21.
In order to be eligible for the scallop license lotteries, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:
- Is a Maine resident and 18 years of age or older;
- Held in any previous calendar year or currently holds any commercial license issued by the Department of Marine Resources (under 12 M.R.S Part 9), or has in the past or currently is crewing onboard an active commercial scallop vessel;*
- Has not been convicted or adjudicated of a marine resources offense that resulted in a license suspension within the last 7 years;
- Does not currently possess a Scallop Dive or Scallop Drag license issued by Maine DMR
*If you intend to use a license that you held from 1995 - 2024 to meet this requirement, the Department will use its licensing database to confirm that you held the license. If you intend to use a license that you held prior to 1995 to meet this eligibility criteria, you will need to produce a copy of the license for the Department’s review. If you intend to use experience as crew as evidence of meeting this requirement, you will need to provide documentation of the year(s), vessel(s), and captain(s). DMR will review the information provided to determine if you meet this requirement.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to determine their eligibility to participate in the scallop license lottery. If an applicant for either lottery is drawn, but determined to be ineligible, that drawing shall be void and the Department will draw another individual. The application fee submitted with the ineligible application is non-refundable.
Anyone meeting these criteria may enter either lottery. However, please be aware that there is no opportunity to change your license type once you have been selected in that lottery. For example, if you win a dive license, that license cannot be changed to a drag license. For this reason, if you have no intention of participating as a diver or a dragger, please refrain from entering that particular lottery so that individuals who do intend to participate may have a chance to do so.
There is a $37 fee to enter each lottery. $35 of each entry is deposited in the Scallop Research Fund and $2 goes to InforME who designed and supports the online lottery entry system.
Beginning at noon on September 30th, online applications will be available at www.maine.gov/scalloplottery. Starting at noon on September 30th, applicants may also complete a paper application at the DMR offices in the Marquardt Building, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta. However, please be advised that the lottery entry fee must be paid either by credit card or check. Finally, the Department cannot accept paper applications through the mail.
A Frequently Asked Questions document is available online as well.If you have remaining questions, please call Maine DMR at 624-6550, Option 2 and we will try to assist you.