Modeling estuarine circulation on Maine mudflats to improve shellfish harvesting
Principal Investigator: Damian Brady (School of Marine Sciences, UMaine)
Partners: Brian Beal (Environmental & Biological Science, UMM), Bridie McGreavy (Communication and Journalism, UMaine)
Abstract: The soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria) fishery is the second most valuable resource of all marine species harvested in Maine, with an annual landing value of more than $22 million in 2015 (in fact, each of the last 3 years has been a record for the value of soft-shell clam landings). This intertidal fishery faces several threats, including frequent and widespread mudflat closures due to land uses that impact water quality and threaten public health. These closures that are related to high bacterial counts in seawater that clams filter negatively affect the approximately 2000 commercial shellfish harvesters who rely on this resource, many of whom work in coastal areas of Maine with few other employment opportunities. We propose a collaboration between UMaine, UMaine Machias, Maine DMR, Maine DEP, clammers, and local citizens (letters of support from each of these groups confirms their commitment) to develop a hydrodynamic model of the Medomak River Estuary (the most productive clam flat in Maine despite considerable water quality issues). A recently hired graduate student will be using the model to attempt to reclassify prohibited and conditional areas based on the best available data to expand harvest potential. This approach also represents an important model for how other clam flats and coastal economies in the state could take advantage of tools developed within the University of Maine System.