The closure of all of the Pennamaquan River to scallop dragging because of the mooring field off the Pembroke boat landing on Hersey Neck has upset some scallop fishermen who would like to drag in that area. Perry fisherman Howard Calder notes that draggers used to go there first at the start of the season because there were so many scallops there. While they're no longer as abundant in the river, the area does provide a sheltered place for dragging on windy days. "It's too bad to have it completely shut down," he says.
     The area was closed to scallop dragging at the request of the Town of Pembroke, according to Jeff Nichols, the communications director for the Department of Marine Resources (DMR). The closure, which was instituted last year, will continue unless a request is made for a change in the DMR's regulations.
     However, Milan Jamieson, chair of the Pembroke selectmen, says the town wanted only the mooring field area closed to dragging. "They're using us as a scapegoat," Jamieson says, referring to the DMR. "We just wanted the mooring field closed. We gave them a map, and they decided to close the whole river." He says the town provided GPS coordinates for the mooring field and also has placed markers on trees and ledges to define the area. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved the mooring field, which was designed with assistance from the Washington County Council of Governments. Calder, though, says only two coordinates for the mooring field were provided to the state, while four are needed.
     Jamieson says if buoys are placed around the field they will get towed around by the draggers. He also notes that there are two sunken boats in the mooring field, and draggers "would bust them up" if they drag in that area.
     Although the DMR went through its rule-making process last year to close the area, Jamieson says the town was not specifically notified about a hearing on the regulatory change. He says he will be contacting the DMR within a week about getting the rest of the area reopened.
     There are about 33 moorings in the field, with a few outside the area, according to Kevin Brodie, the Pembroke harbormaster. Approximately 15 boats are moored there now, with Brodie noting that some of the moorings are for seasonal residents and some people have multiple moorings.