Notice to Passamaquoddy Elver License Holders

Dear Passamaquoddy Elver License Holder:

Last year, the Legislature established a fee on the swipe cards that are used to participate in Maine’s elver fishery.  ALL license holders are now charged $35 annually for their swipe card, including tribal license holders.    This fee is deposited into the Eel and Elver Management Fund, and used to pay for the development and ongoing maintenance of the swipe card system that Maine was required to create in order to avoid the closure of the elver fishery.

DMR will be conducting the swipe card distribution for Passamaquoddy elver license holders as follows:

• License holders from Pleasant Point:   Tuesday, March 20^th, 9 am-4 pm, Calais Recreation Department, Calais ME

• License holders from Indian Township:   Wednesday, March 21^st, 9 am-4 pm, Calais Recreation Department, Calais ME

This year, DMR will be collecting the $35 swipe card directly from license holders.   You may pay for your swipe card at the distribution by credit card, bank check, electronic funds transfer, or money order.  DMR cannot accept cash payments. 

Please be advised that due to the large number of license holders, DMR anticipates long wait times on these days.   You will need to wait in a line to pick up your quota release form from Marine Patrol.  You will need to wait in a separate line to pay for your swipe card.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO AVOID WAITING IN LINE TO PAY FOR YOUR SWIPE CARD, YOU MAY CALL DMR (624-6550, Option 2) ON ANY WEEKDAY FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. BETWEEN NOW AND NOON ON MONDAY, MARCH 19 TO PAY FOR YOUR SWIPE CARD IN ADVANCE OVER THE PHONE.  AGAIN, YOU MAY USE A CREDIT CARD, OR CHECK WITH ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER.  IF YOU PAY IN ADVANCE, YOUR SWIPE CARD WILL BE WITH YOUR PAPERWORK WITH MARINE PATROL AT THE ABOVE LOCATION, AND YOU WILL ONLY HAVE TO WAIT IN ONE LINE.  

In addition, individuals wishing to pick up their swipe card EARLY may do so beginning Thursday, March 15. Cards will be available at the DMR Offices from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 15, Friday, March 16, and Monday, March 19 until noon.   After noontime on Monday, March 19, all cards will be en route to Calais, for the distributions taking place on Tuesday, March 20 and Wednesday, March 21.

Any individual unable to pick up their swipe card early or in Calais will be able to pick up their card at DMR’s Augusta offices during business hours throughout the season.

Thank you.