COLLINS URGES TOP OFFICIAL TO ADOPT BETTER SCIENCE FOR MAINE QUAHOG FISHERIES

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As Friday's scheduled closure of Maine's Quahog fishery approaches, U.S. Senator Susan Collins has urged William Hogarth, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries at the National Marine Fisheries Service, to establish a bushel quota for the fishery based on better science. Primarily located in the Washington County towns of Jonesport and Addison, Maine's Quahog fishery is scheduled to close Friday when federal officials estimate its 100,000-bushel quota will be reached.

"The impending closure of Maine's Mahogany Quahog fishery highlights the need for better science in order to properly manage this fishery," said Senator Collins. "Maine's 100,000-bushel quota was based on historical landings data instead of a scientific population study. With scientific evidence, we may be able to increase Maine's quota without harming this stock."

Collins urged NMFS to work with the Maine Department of Resources to undertake a population study of mahogany quahogs. To date, the Maine DMR has not had the funds to complete a similar study.

"It is troubling that the state of Maine has had to expend its resources studying a federally licenced and federally managed fishery. A collaborative effort between the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Maine DMR would be the best approach at completing a population study of this stock in order to bring some science into this management system."