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Gulf of Maine, Inc. is committed to
sustainable uses of marine resources. We believe that promoting
interest, understanding and education in marine ecosystems is the
best way to ensure their future protection. We advocate that the
collection of marine organisms for these purposes is a worthy use
of our abundant natural resources.
The facts
about Gulf of Maine's impact on Cobscook Bay:
- We have no
quantifiable impact on our local bays and ecosystem. Our
business and the practices we promote are absolutely sustainable
because of the fecundity of the species we collect, our collection
ethics, and the small numbers of organisms that we need.
- By any reasonable estimate of the
numbers of invertebrate species in our bays, we collect a very,
very small fraction of a percent of any species. Typically like
0.000005!
- The number of specimens we collect
at any one time is less than 1% of the organisms of the same species
in our immediate collection area.
- We employ collection methods that
minimize the destruction of other organisms.
- Most of the species we collect are
not harvested for any other purpose, and are therefore abundant
throughout our bays.
- Gulf of Maine supports local fishermen
by purchasing by-catch that is otherwise tossed overboard, displaced
and damaged.
Our collection
ethics and practices:
- All our collectors are fully licensed
to commercially harvest marine organisms in the State of Maine.
- Our business strictly adheres to
all State and Federal fishing laws regulating the harvesting and
selling of marine organisms.
- Our collectors are trained to recognize
and not to collect threatened or endangered species.
- We collect only the number and species
that are required. We strive not to waste our collection efforts
and the lives of the organisms we collect.
- Every care is be taken when collecting
and handling specimens to minimize stress and damage, and to lessen
the impact on wild stocks and their habitat. For example, we always
return rocks to the exact position and the same way up as they
were found. This protects the habitat that has developed around
the edges and on the underside of the rocks.
- All new collectors are trained and
supervised by experienced collectors.
- Records are kept of all collections
for our own monitoring and development purposes.
- We work with state regulators and
non-profit organizations to help monitor the health and diversity
of our bays.
How much do we contribute
to the harvest of marine organisms in Maine?
| Species |
2002
landings in Maine
|
Ratio
of our yearly contribution
|
| Green sea urchins |
6,321,232 lbs
|
0.00004
|
| Sandworms |
434,624 lbs
|
0.00029
|
| Periwinkles |
567,833 lbs
|
0.00002
|
| Quahogs |
51,032 lbs
|
0.00560
|
| Seeweeds |
5,863,852 lbs
|
0.00007
|
| Blue mussels |
27,466,523 lbs
|
0.00002
|
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Gulf
of Maine