Ninety plus miles of shorefront presents a tempting target for clamdiggers, including those who do not belong there. This is particularly so for those from towns lacking such a lucrative asset. How to define locals versus out of towners has, over the years, been a frequent and often hot topic during shellfish management discussions in area towns. Current practice allows a 10 1 ratio for a town's issuing of shellfish licenses for residents and non-residents, with a lottery held if more out of towners apply than the ratio allows, thus providing a strong incentive to non-residents to stretch the facts.
      Lubec Shellfish Warden Russell Wright began his report at the January 6 meeting of the town's Shellfish Conservation Committee by quipping, "You probably don't want to hear this." Wright, whose job is to patrol the mudflats seeking out those who flout the rules, pointed out that he knows of seven out of towners who have been issued resident commercial shellfish licenses and thus have unrestricted access to Lubec's clamming areas. These are individuals he knows personally who live in Jonesboro and other area towns. When he was asked how they obtained these valued permits, he replied that they come from the same place local clammers get them -- the Lubec Town Office.
      Not surprisingly, this observation led to a discussion. Lubec Select Board Chair Carol Dennison was present as a committee member, in the role of liaison. In order to obtain a resident license, applicants must present documentation establishing their home address, as listed in the shellfish ordinance, with a three month residency requirement. Office personnel lack the capacity to verify many of these documents, leading to applicants presenting doubtful credentials. "We have major loophole issues," agreed Dennison, who confirmed with an online inquiry that the town office is not legally permitted to take a photocopy of an applicant's driver's license, thus limiting the ability to confirm residency. Former shellfish warden Amanda Lyons suggested shortening the list of acceptable documents, focusing on a current electric bill, saying, "Nobody's going to pay for someone else's power."
      "You need to stiffen up on what you need for residency," said Wright. The committee confirmed that the requirements will be studied and a proposal prepared for amending the ordinance, which must be approved at a town meeting.
      Wright then moved to another hot issue: conservation closures. He pointed out that the practice of short duration closures provides no benefit, suggesting that for product maturation at least one year is needed, preferably two. "If you close a bed like Pirate's Creek for two years, they will holler like hell. But when they go back in after that time, they'll say, 'That was the best thing you ever did.'"
      After discussion, the committee voted 4-0 to close Pirate's Creek for one year, from February 1 to February 1, 2026. At Wright's suggestion, the closure area was extended to include the flats to Diamond Point, as the boundary line markings need to be clarified.
      Committee Chair Michael Scrivani urged members of the shellfish community, very few of whom were in attendance at this meeting, to come to the February 3 meeting so that the closure discussion can be continued with their input.
      Wright also brought up the question of beach access across private property, pointing out that he had spoken with a number of property owners. "These guys aren't opposed to clammers coming in," he said. "But when they find litter on their property, they think different." He has seen, he said, where bags of garbage had been tossed aside. "That stuff didn't come from the property owner." One of his goals, he stressed, was to protect the industry "so that the younger clammers will have a reason to stay in town."
      In other business, the committee seated Anna Carter as a member. The present committee includes Chair Michael Scrivani, Vice Chair John Nielsen, Dennis Huckins, Carol Dennison and Carter. Huckins was not present at this meeting.