In the News

Bad News For Stripers

Capt. John McMurray weighs in with a report from the winter ASMFC meeting over at Reel-Time.com.

From the Article "Yesterday, the ASMFC Striped Bass Management Board passed a motion by a narrow 8 to 7 margin to create an addendum to increase commercial harvest. The swing state was Maryland, which voted against the commercial rollover at the last meeting but for the commercial increase at this one (explain that one to me). The motion came from Augustine of New York and was seconded by Johnston from North Carolina"







Accessing Maine's Coast

Lost Access is a problem up and down Maine's coast.

According to Maine law, Private landowners can and often do hold private property rights to the low water mark. These private property rights are subject to a public easment for fishing, fowling, and navigation up to the mean high tide line.

Maine law does not guarantee access to the intertidal zone, so it's still neccessary to find an access point that will allow you to get below the high water mark, but as long as you're below the high water mark Maine law guarantees the right to engage in "fishing, fowling, and navigation" there.

Additionally, Maine law stipulates that a landowner is not liable for any harm that comes to you while engaging in "Recreational or harvesting activities" on his or her property. (Maine Title 14, Part 1, Chapter 7, 159-A)



For more information on accessing Maine's intertidal areas, visit some of the following links:


Accessing the Maine Coast - One stop shopping for all the info you need about coastal access law
Public Shoreline Access in Maine (pdf)
Beach Law 101 Slideshow
Public Shoreline Access and the Moody Beach Case