Code of Maine Rules
13 - DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES
188 - MARINE RESOURCES - GENERAL
Chapter 13 - WHELKS AND PERIWINKLES
Section 188-13-20 - Harvesting of Periwinkles

It shall be unlawful to fish for or take periwinkles by diver/diving (SCUBA or snorkel), pump, suction or any type of mechanical pumping.

It shall be unlawful to take, possess, ship, transfer, transport, buy, or sell undersize periwinkles. For the purpose of this regulation undersize periwinkles will be determined by numerical count as follows:

The numerical count shall be determined by taking a random one quart sample from the bulk pile and then counting the periwinkles to determine the amount of periwinkles in the one quart container. If the one quart sample contains more than 220 periwinkles they will be considered undersize. This method of measurement results in an average taken at the narrowest diameter of the girth of 9/16" or less.

It shall be unlawful to fish for periwinkles in Maine's territorial waters with any one combination of drags having an aggregate size in excess of 6' in width measuring from the extreme outside edge on one side to the extreme outside edge on the opposite side.

Undersize periwinkles as well as all bycatch must be immediately liberated into marine waters in the area where harvested.

It shall be unlawful to fish for or take periwinkles within Maine's territorial waters by dragging during the period 1/2 hour after sunset, as defined in 12 M.R.S.A. §6001(46), until 1/2 hour before sunrise, as defined in 12 M.R.S.A. §6001(45).

Recreational harvesters may possess up to 2 quarts per day of periwinkles for personal use without a license.