Gerzofsky lauds acceptance of bills to support shellfish industry

Posted: November 20, 2015 | Front Page, News Items, Senator Gerzofsky
Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, D-Brunswick.

Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, D-Brunswick.

AUGUSTA — Democratic Sen. Stan Gerzofsky of Brunswick thanked the Legislative Council for accepting two of his bills aimed at supporting a vital state fishery.

The bills were originally rejected along party lines at the Council’s October meeting, but Gerzofsky successfully appealed the decision on Thursday. The bills will now receive a full hearing by the Maine Legislature.

“These bills are crucial in supporting our shellfish industry in the face of threats from invasive green crabs, climate change and other forms of disruption that affect mud flats,” Gerzofsky said. “Shellfish are a huge industry in our state, and provide a living for many hard-working Mainers. We have to protect their ecosystem, and this market, for future generations.”

The bills are:

  • LR 2381, “An Act to Ensure Fairness in Shellfish and Marine Work Digger Licensing,” which would address inequities between clammers and worm harvesters to ensure that all those who work in Maine’s marine economy are playing by the same rules.
  • LR 2387, “An Act to Protect Shellfish Conservation Areas,” which would protect designated shellfish conservation areas from disturbances, to allow juvenile clams and other valuable sea creatures to grow to a harvestable size.