Summer 2024 DMR Public Health and Aquaculture Newsletter

Published on July 12, 2024.

Index

Limited-Purpose Aquaculture (LPA) “Owner-Operator” Requirement Taking Effect

By Lisa White, Aquaculture Program and Outreach Coordinator

LPA license holders please read on! This fall, the Aquaculture Division will be implementing the law establishing the “owner/operator” requirement that takes effect on January 1, 2025. Under this requirement, the LPA holder must directly supervise individuals who are engaged in licensed activities or designate a primary assistant to supervise. This means that the LPA holder or primary assistant must be physically present anytime other assistants are working an LPA site. This applies to all LPAs held by any individual regardless of their purpose. The requirement does not apply to LPAs held or applied for by a municipal or regional shellfish management committee.

What will implementation look like? The initial phases of implementation will begin October 1, 2024 with the start of the LPA renewal period. For existing license holders, the 2025 renewal application will look different from last year as new questions are added to collect information to implement this requirement. Renewed LPAs may not be issued until spring 2025 as we work to ensure compliance with the owner/operator requirement. LPA holders who complete the renewal application and quiz by the regulatory deadline will be able to continue operating their sites while we process the application.  For new sites, the LPA application will be updated with new questions to collect information to comply with this requirement. LPA applications for new sites that are submitted on or after October 1, 2024, will need to be on these new forms and may not be processed until spring 2025.

Want more information? We have created a guide that explains this requirement and what you can expect in greater detail. We are also holding a final information session on the owner/operator requirement on July 16 at 4:00 p.m. You can view the guide and scheduling information for the information session on our website. We will also be sending additional reminders and updates as fall approaches. Please check your email regularly. In the meantime, if you have questions about the requirement, please email DMRaquaculture@maine.gov.

Municipal Marine Resource Management

William Fearn, Planning and Research Associate II

As part of our ongoing goal to address the topics assigned to the DMR Bureau of Public Health and Aquaculture through the 2022 Municipal Shellfish Management meetings (discussed in our 2023 Summer Newsletter), we are continuing to work on the list generated by the Shellfish Advisory Council (ShAC). Here is the updated list starting with the most recent developments.

New developments

  1. Municipal Shellfish Conservation Warden Committee – The Shellfish Advisory Council created a working committee this past February to focus on updating the Municipal Shellfish Conservation Warden Training provided by DMR. The first committee meeting was held in early May and a work plan was created. Some highlights are working to create a ride-along program, frequency of training, requirements, etc. The committee will give updates at each quarterly ShAC meeting.

Upcoming Events

  1. Municipal Marine Resource Management Training – Is scheduled for July 9, 17, and 18, 2024. It will be focused on providing tools and information to those who help manage municipal marine resources. Topics will include warden hiring, annual reporting, the aquaculture leasing process, water quality management, conservation, the role of the Shellfish Advisory Council, and much more. This training is intended for anyone who participates in Municipal Marine Resource Management including but not limited to municipal officials, resource committee members, shellfish conservation wardens, harbor masters, etc. This training was advertised via our Gov Delivery System, Marine Resource Scientists, and the Maine Municipal Association Newsletter. Please RSVP at DMRPublicHealthDIV@maine.gov if you would like to attend.
     
  2. Regional Shellfish Meetings – We continue to organize the opportunity for Harvesters, Municipal Officials, and industry members to get together in their regions (Southern, Central, and Eastern) and discuss ideas, concerns, and solutions about their programs. DMR participates in these meetings as a facilitator and listener, only providing feedback or comments when requested. These meetings are expected to take place in late November or early December 2024.

Ongoing Projects

  1. Mini Grants – DMR was able to fund three mini-grants that will help improve municipal management and conservation programs in 2024.

    • The town of Deer Isle received $7,000 for a clam seed transplant study.

    • The town of Franklin received $4,000 to expand its clam broodstock and rearing program.

    • The town of Yarmouth received $7,000 to install an upweller on the town dock to help grow softshell clam and quahog seed to a larger size before transplanting.

  2. Gov Delivery – We continue to grow our public outreach and provide better access to resources we already have available to those who want them. The best way to stay informed is through our Gov Delivery system.

  3. Improved Communication - Increased in-person meeting presence by the Nearshore Marine Resource Scientists and Growing Area Managers (water quality) – staff have been required to attend at least one town shellfish meeting per year unless the town indicates it is not necessary. Staff may attend more by request.

  4. Near Real-Time Water Quality Data - Water quality staff have created a workflow that allows water quality station data to be published on the DMR Open Data Portal monthly.  Data is published as a downloadable spreadsheet which will include historical data from the preceding five years. Please email DMRPublichealthdiv@maine.gov if you would like assistance in accessing these data.

  5. Economic impact study –The Gulf of Maine Research Institute continues to study the economic impact of shellfish harvesting in the state of Maine. Updates are provided at the quarterly ShAC meetings.

DMR Welcomes a New Fisheries Pathologist

By Katie Stein, Fisheries Pathologist

Hello!

My name is Katie Stein. I am the new Fisheries Pathologist here at DMR. My position focuses on maintaining and ensuring the health of the many aquatic marine species that Maine has to offer. I coordinate routine screening of animals for pathogens of concern and conduct lobster bait reviews. I am also responsible for reviewing applications for the importation of any live marine organisms as well as monitoring the disease status of important aquaculture and fisheries species within the state. I conduct the biosecurity inspections and review the pathology reports for the Approved Shellfish Hatcheries found here (https://www.maine.gov/dmr/sites/maine.gov.dmr/files/inline-files/ApprovedHatcheries_Jan2024.pdf). These hatcheries have demonstrated sufficient health measures and disease freedom from shellfish diseases and are therefore available for LPAs to purchase.

If you are considering importing any live marine species, please fill out an import application form here (https://www.maine.gov/dmr/aquaculture/applications-and-forms/additional-licenses-and-forms-for-active-aquaculture-sites).  Some helpful information to include in these applications would be:

  • Any pathology tests associated with the original facility and/or the lot of organisms to be moved
  • Biosecurity information on the original and accepting facility
    • Intake of water treatment at the original facility
    • Effluent treatment at the accepting facility
  • If imported for research purposes, including what will be done with the organisms at the completion of the study

Any questions regarding this process, or other disease-related issues can be sent to my email at Pathology.DMR@maine.gov.

Launch of Long-Term Intertidal Monitoring

By Meredith White, Marine Resource Scientist IV

The Nearshore Marine Resources Program Team has been busy launching their new initiative of Long-Term Intertidal Monitoring.  This monitoring is set up to initially gather baseline ecological data along the coast, and as we move into the future, will ideally link ecological changes along the coast to environmental changes such as warming waters. Twelve locations have been selected along the coast, representing a variety of conditions and the presence of different species. These conditions include flats that are open to shellfish harvesting as well as closed to harvest, inlets that are extremely sheltered, and those that are exposed. Each site will be visited monthly and quantitative surveys will be conducted. In alternating months, surveys will be conducted for infaunal species (softshell clams, quahogs, razor clams, surf/hen clams, blood worms, sandworms, milky ribbon worms) or species living on hard substrates (rockweed, American oysters, European oysters, blue mussels, periwinkles, dog whelks). Surveys for green crabs and other crab species will be conducted monthly, as these mobile organisms are expected to show more seasonal variability. Additionally, during these quantitative surveys for the above target species, the presence of all other (non-target) species will be noted within survey areas. Initially, these surveys will show us the difference in species distribution geographically across the state, and over time, they will allow us to monitor changes in the abundance and distribution of intertidal species throughout the state.

Additionally, we will deploy temperature loggers just below and just above the surface of the mud to log both the mud temperature and the water/air temperature. Grant funding has been awarded through the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership Resilience and Monitoring Grant Program to purchase salinity and dissolved oxygen sensors to deploy in Brunswick and Cumberland. These sensors will be used as a pilot project to determine their suitability for intertidal deployment. If successful, additional funding will be sought in the future to expand this data collection to other monitoring sites.

Location of 12 Long Term Intertidal Monitoring Sites along the coast.
Location of 12 Long Term Intertidal Monitoring Sites along the coast.

There’s an oil spill where I harvest shellfish! What do I do?

By Ben Wahle, Marine Resource Scientist III

Maine aquaculturists and shellfish harvesters are familiar with shellfish closures from bacteria and harmful algal blooms, but did you know that an oil spill can close shellfisheries as well? In this article, we will discuss oil spills in Maine, their impact on filter-feeding bivalves, and what to do if your harvest area, aquaculture lease, or LPA is exposed to oil.

               Marine oil spills in Maine are generally caused by leaks from machinery or storage tanks, vessels sinking or running aground, and human error during activities such as refueling. These events release refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, and hydraulic oil which contain toxic compounds that can kill or contaminate shellfish and other marine life. In 2023, 106 oil releases in Maine waters were reported to the US Coast Guard, ranging from a few drops of hydraulic oil to 1800 gallons of diesel fuel. Thirty of these events were sheens (a thin layer of oil floating on the water's surface) of unknown origin. Forty-three releases were caused by equipment failure – most were small (less than 1 gallon) releases of hydraulic or lubricant oil in harbors or industrialized areas where shellfish harvest and aquaculture are already prohibited. Vessels sinking or running aground were the second most common cause and occasionally resulted in tens to hundreds of gallons of diesel or gasoline being spilled. The number of vessels that sank or ran aground, including those where no oil was released, was more evenly split between prohibited and approved shellfish areas. They also varied more widely in location. These events occur randomly and have the potential for large fuel spills that can harm shellfish and make them unfit for human consumption.

               Petroleum products can have lethal and sublethal effects on filter-feeding bivalves. At non-lethal levels, exposure causes immune stress that can inhibit bodily functions such as feeding, growth, and reproduction. Shellfish also bioaccumulate toxic compounds in oil known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and are slow to depurate them. PAHs, some of which are carcinogenic, can persist in shellfish tissue for weeks to months depending on the species and duration of exposure. Shellfish meats with high PAH concentration and/or a flavor or odor of petroleum (taint) are unfit for human consumption. Tainted shellfish product is considered “adulterated” and may not be marketed. If your aquaculture site or harvest area is exposed to an oil spill, do not harvest product and contact DMR for guidance.

               DMR is notified whenever an oil spill is reported to state oil spill responders or the Coast Guard. We will enact a shellfish closure around the spill site, if necessary through our normal communications system and notify nearby aquaculture facilities using the phone number listed in their permit application. For aquaculturists with an oil spill prevention plan, you may be able to protect your array using sorbents or booms stored onsite. Even if it is not required, lease or LPA holders in areas with frequent boating activity may wish to develop an oil spill plan with methods for deploying sorbents and booming off floating gear. If you lack oil-absorbent materials and believe oil will contact your array, it is recommended to submerge your gear to the maximum depth possible. Gasoline and diesel will float as a thin sheen at the surface and dissipate over hours or days through evaporation and natural dispersion in the water. There may still be some contamination from dissolved compounds in the water column, but when there is oil at the surface, filter-feeding bivalves are safest underwater.

               If you believe your shellfish product was exposed to an oil spill, please contact us at DMRPublicHealthDiv@maine.gov. We will determine the level of exposure and may request a sample to evaluate for petroleum taint. If a shellfish closure is enacted, we will conduct sensory testing of shellfish in the affected area once the spill is remediated, and reopen once taint cannot be detected in the shellstock and tissue. Our goal is to keep your product safe and marketable.

Please report marine oil spills to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) by calling (800) 482-0777. Even if you were responsible for the spill, it is important to contact DEP as they can assist with cleanup and remediation. For more information, please visit https://www.maine.gov/dep/how-do-i/how-do-i.html?id=323056.

Stream Sampling – Revisited

By Grace Robie, Marine Resource Scientist II

One may observe DMR staff taking water samples from freshwater streams, but not to worry, these samples are intentional. Stream samples are a supporting element of the growing area classification program. Streams and rivers convey pollution from sources such as septic breakouts, animal farms, and wildlife populations. One of the ways to monitor the contribution of pollution from a watershed into coastal waters is to sample streams. The locations of stream sample stations were determined using GIS and topographical maps. Now, we use US Geological Survey (USGS) StreamStats application to edit stream locations.

These samples are taken less frequently than seawater samples. Streams are sampled on a three-year cycle divided up by each growing area (Table 1). This schedule follows the triennial/sanitary survey report schedule. During year one all the streams are collected for the selected growing areas. For year two the “hot” streams from year 1 are targeted. A “hot” stream is defined as having a sample score ≥ 163 colony forming units of bacteria (CFU)/100ml of water. For year 3 there is a break from stream sampling to write reports. The goal for each stream scheduled is that 4 samples are collected throughout the year, ideally each season. This is done to capture seasonal variation of potential pollution sources. In addition, flow rates vary between each season which can impact delivery of pollution.

Table 1. 2024 stream sample cycle for Eastern Maine growing areas.

Year

Year 1 - Full

Year 2 - Target

Year 3 - Break

2024

EB, EC, EF, EJ, ER, EN, ES

WX, EA, EG, EI, EU, EL, EM

WY, ED, EE, EH, EK, EP, EQ

Stream sample data is valuable, providing growing area managers with information about the amount and frequency of stream pollution. If water quality declines in a cove and requires reclassification, then stream data may be used in a tool called “dilution calculation”. The dilution calculation tool uses bacterial loading, stream flow, and physical basin characteristics of the cove to assess the impact of the stream. Stream sample scores provide the bacterial loading, USGS StreamStats provides the flow data, a nautical chart is used to determine water depth, and GIS is used to measure the cove. With these data, a dilution zone is calculated and may be used to inform the shellfish harvesting closure, potentially reducing the size of a closure. In addition to closure areas, stream data can be valuable to town shellfish committees. Results can be used to inform committees about impacted watersheds and where to direct their pollution source investigations and remediation efforts. For streams with a history of consistent pollution, towns may opt to further investigate using Microbial Source Tracking (MST). This tool uses water samples to compare against a database of human and animal DNA which can detail the source of pollution (human, bird, canine, etc.). You can find more information about this method of testing in the Summer 2020 newsletter, “Investigating Pollution Sources with Microbial Source Tracking.”

Vibrio! Keep the oysters cold, keep the consumer safe!

By Aidan Lurgio, Seafood Technologist

Starting June 1st, 2024, Vibrio control regulations have gone statewide for oysters in Maine. This is a big change in regulations that affect harvesters, dealers, and restaurants throughout the state. From June 1st -October 15th, if you harvest oysters from anywhere in Maine or hard clams from the New Meadows Lakes or if you want to buy these oysters or hard clams directly from harvesters, here is what you need to do:

  1. Make sure you have an active aquaculture, commercial shellfish, dealer, or enhanced retail license.
  2. Complete the Vibrio training video and quiz found here: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/fisheries/shellfish/maine-dmr-vibrio-education
  3. Apply for or renew your vibrio harvester and/or vibrio dealer permit in the DMR licensing system (LEEDS). If you are applying for the first time, the Vibrio permit is found under the shellfish/marine worms category in LEEDS.

Once you are properly licensed, make sure you have the necessary paperwork! Receiving dealers or enhanced retailers need to keep a Vibrio specific HACCP plan on file and a Vibrio specific receiving log. Both of these items are found here: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/fisheries/shellfish/shellfish-dealer-certification-and-inspection

Why the change? Last summer we experienced double the amount of oyster related confirmed Vibrio illnesses compared to 2022 (24 illnesses v. 12) and had our first Vibrio illness outbreak which resulted in a growing area closure. Illnesses were coming from areas not previously under Vibrio control.

2023 reported illnesses: Last summer we investigated 14 illnesses that were caused by the bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus, 1 illness caused by Vibrio fluvialis, and 12 additional illnesses caused by the bacteria Vibrio without a confirmed species. Eighteen of these reported illnesses were from August and September.

Why does the bacteria Vibrio make people sick? There are multiple reasons certain strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus are pathogenic to humans, but the most common assumption is that a strain is pathogenic if it contains the thermostable direct hemolysin (tdh) gene and/or the tdh-related hemolysin (trh) gene. These genes are seen in most clinical vibriosis cases (Ceccarelli et al 2013). Vibrio related illnesses termed “vibriosis” symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, fever, vomiting, and at worst can cause septicemia (Martinez-urtaza et al., 2010). It is advised to avoid eating raw shellfish if you are pregnant, immunocompromised, or have chronic liver issues. Be aware of certain medicines that could be affecting your immune system or even commonly used antiacids that will minimize the acid in your stomach and can increase your risk of vibriosis.

Going statewide with Vibrio control has increased the awareness of this bacteria and the understanding of how important it is to follow state regulations to protect the industry itself and public health. Vibrio parahaemolyticus has a doubling time of <10 minutes when it is above 50°F (martinex-urtaza et al., 2010). This is why it is extremely important to keep your oysters iced and cold this summer! The success of the oyster industry is dependent on the safety of the consumer. Let’s keep oysters safe for people to enjoy; get your vibrio permits, make sure you are conducting safe post-harvest practices, properly receiving Vibrio product, and serve those oysters on ice! Trust who you sell your product to and continue to spread awareness about Vibrio and the importance of cold oysters.

As always, if anyone has any questions on how to properly sell/receive oysters, please reach out to us! Reach out to your area DMR Shellfish Inspector or the Shellfish Inspection Program Supervisor or email DMRPublicHealthDiv@maine.gov. Specific contact information can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/about-us/staff-directory

  • ME/NH Border to Kennebec River – Aidan Lurgio
  • Kennebec River to Bagaduce River – Melinda Cook
  • Bagaduce River to ME/Canadian Border – Richard Riddell
  • Shellfish Inspection Program Supervisor – James Becker