MaineDMR Public Health - Shellfish Growing Area Boundaries

The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) classifies shellfish growing areas for harvest suitability following the guidelines in the National Shellfish Sanitation Program Model Ordinance. Shellfish growing areas are administrative segments of the Maine coast that represent large bays, estuaries, and islands. Each of the 47 commercially harvested growing areas is assigned a classification based on the results of a sanitary survey, a three-fold process consisting of: a shoreline survey to identify pollution sources in the growing area, surface water sampling to determine fecal coliform bacteria levels in marine water, and an analysis of how weather, tides, currents, and other factors may affect the distribution of pollutants in the area. A growing area may be classified as Approved, Conditionally Approved, Restricted, Conditionally Restricted, or Prohibited. Once classified, all shellfish growing areas are regularly monitored. Marine surface water samples are collected throughout the year. Shoreline surveys are conducted less frequently, but each year some portion of the Maine coast is surveyed. During shoreline surveys, all actual and potential pollution sources that may impact water quality in the growing area are evaluated. The data from continuous water sampling and shoreline surveys are used to ensure that shellfish growing areas continue to meet the standards associated with their classification, to modify classifications when needed, and to notify the responsible agencies about any pollution sources that are identified. For more information about the classification of shellfish flats in Maine, visit https://www.maine.gov/dmr/fisheries/shellfish/shellfish-growing-area-classification. This dataset displays the boundaries of shellfish growing areas in the State of Maine. Data projection is NAD 1983 UTM Zone 19N.