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132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION-2025
Legislative Document No. 1279H.P. 854House of Representatives, March 25, 2025
An Act to Require the Department of Marine Resources to Conduct
Biotoxin Testing of Cultured Scallops
Reference to the Committee on Marine Resources suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative EATON of Deer Isle.
Cosponsored by Senator GROHOSKI of Hancock and
Representatives: HEPLER of Woolwich, SIMMONS of Waldoboro, STROUT of Harrington,
WEBB of Durham, Senator: RENY of Lincoln. Page 1 - 132LR1683(01)
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2 is enacted to read:
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5 Program under section 6076, the department shall conduct testing of cultured scallops for
6 biotoxins in the same manner as the testing for other cultured mollusks under the program,
7 including using high-performance liquid chromatography testing. The department shall
8 provide logistical support to a commercial fisheries business engaged in scallop
9 aquaculture in conducting the testing under this section, including providing transportation
10 of samples to be tested. For purposes of this section, "high-performance liquid
11 chromatography testing" means a testing technique in analytical chemistry that uses high-
12 pressure pumps to separate, identify and quantify specific components in mixtures.
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14 appropriations, allocations, federal grants, donations from public or private sources or a
15 partnership with an organization having the purpose of supporting marine aquaculture.
16 Funds received under this subsection must be used for biotoxin testing and logistical
17 support for commercial fisheries businesses under subsection 1.
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of each year, the department shall submit an annual report
19 detailing the number of commercial fisheries businesses using the testing under this section,
20 the overall impact on the scallop aquaculture industry, including economic growth and
21 cultured scallops landings, and recommendations for further improvements or expansions
22 of the testing under this section to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having
23 jurisdiction over marine resources matters.
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25 This bill requires the Department of Marine Resources to conduct biotoxin testing of
26 cultured scallops under the Marine Shellfish Toxins Monitoring Program. Testing
27 requirements include using high-performance liquid chromatography testing and providing
28 logistical support to commercial fisheries businesses engaged in scallop aquaculture,
29 including providing transportation of samples for testing. Funds received by the department
30 for the testing may be used only for biotoxin testing of cultured scallops, and the department
31 is required to submit an annual report on the testing to the Legislature by January 1st of
32 each year.
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