Tag Archives: clammers

Clammers to honor one of their own: CPR class to be conducted in memory of ‘The Legend’

He was known in town simply as “The Legend.” Edward G. Lane, who fit the mold of a classic commercial fisherman and clammer, died doing what he loved. Lane, 60, died on Saturday, March 18, while clamming the flats off Conomo Point. But his death has spurred the commercial fishing community of Essex, Gloucester and Ipswich to gather to honor Lane by hosting a CPR class. The class is aimed at teaching participants to be prepared for a medical event, such as the one that took the life of their beloved friend. “In the wake of Ed’s passing, we’re offering the CPR course,” said Essex Harbormaster Daniel Fialho. “Clammers are a pretty close-knit group. I think the event opened some eyes to the need for some training.” >click to read< 07:43

In New England, “The resource keeps diminishing.” Clammers Dig Through The Pandemic For Fewer Shellfish

In Maine, the largest clam producing state, fishermen produced their lowest haul in more than 90 years at a little more than 1.3 million pounds in 2020. Nationwide totals aren’t compiled yet, but Maine’s haul typically accounts for more than half the U.S. total, and hauls in other clamming states such as Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York have been trending downward in recent years. “The resource keeps diminishing.” The clamming industry has had to contend with more marine predators of clams such as green crabs and milky ribbon worm in recent years. >click to read< 13:33

Haskell’s Seafood Keeping Baymen In Business-Market will deliver directly to homes in wake of coronavirus pandemic

As Jamie Hummel’s markets began shutting down, the Hampton Bays fisherman was genuinely worried what would happen when all avenues to sell his product officially closed. “Everyone is laid off right now,” he said. “With what we do, there’s no backup for us.” Southampton Town Trustee Scott Horowitz saw a Facebook post by his childhood friend and knew he needed to jump into action. He connected Hummel with Captain Peter Haskell, owner of Haskell’s Seafood in East Quogue, who consulted with other baymen, and Assemblyman Fred Thiele, to create a delivery service. >click to read< 09:56

Clammers, wormers can coexist with Acadia’s conservation mission

A recent BDN OpEd criticized Rep. Bruce Poliquin’s legislation to clarify the status of clamming and worming on the flats in Acadia National Park. The bill in question and companion legislation in the U.S. Senate are supported by all four members of Maine’s congressional delegation. It permits traditional harvesting while protecting the park against expansion of other harvesting activity or the use of mechanized harvesting equipment. Clammers and wormers have worked the flats around the park for ages. Only two years ago, when enforcement actions were taken against harvesters, did the practice come into question. >click here to read< 12:12

Bill To Let Wormers, Clammers Dig At Acadia National Park Clears House Committee

Prospects for wormers and clammers digging in the intertidal zone of Acadia National Park improved today after a U.S. House panel voted for the Acadia National Park Boundary Clarification Act. Sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin of Maine’s 2nd District and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine’s 1st District, the measure was unanimously approved by the House Committee on Natural Resources, a result that Poliquin described as a credit to the Mainers who spoke out in favor of clarifying protocols at Acadia. “We received input from our wormers,” he said. “There are about 900 families that depend on the flats around Acadia National Park and other parts of our coast to dig for blood and sand worms.” click here to read the story 14:00

Lessons from ‘the last clam’: Casco Bay shellfish ‘renaissance’

Tim Johnson of Harpswell had been clamming for more than 30 years when, in 2014, he hung up his hoe. Between predators such as the invasive green crab and other factors, the flats just weren’t profitable any more. “We’d go out, and there’s nothing there,” Johnson of Brunswick said. “It’s kind of depressing to dig the last clam.” In fact, the legal amount of softshell clams being harvested are down 70 percent since the green crab invasion of recent years, Brunswick Marine Resources Officer Dan Devereaux said — though he said the invasive crustaceans seem,,, Read the rest here 09:08

A Closer Eye on Shellfishing Waters (theres a lot goin’ on in East Hampton)

Attending the March 19 meeting were a number of baymen who spoke in favor of the nine-member panel’s efforts on their behalf, and on behalf of the inshore waters they depend on for their livelihood. Trap fishermen, scallopers, and clammers spoke in favor of the trustees’ charging commercial shellfishermen 75 cents each for the bushel bags that bear the trustee emblem, and for charging for boat moorings as well. “The money goes back to you and the harbors,” said Dan Lester. continued