ELLSWORTH — The Department of Marine Resources will hold three public meetings to provide information on the New England Fishery Management Council's Omnibus Habitat Amendment 2.

This fishery management action will address habitat requirements for all fisheries managed by council in federal waters and may have an impact on Maine fishermen who operate in federal waters.

These meetings are informational only, not public hearings. They are intended to inform industry members about the proposed actions and how they can provide input during the public comment period, which ends in early January.

The amendment includes proposals for area closures for habitat protection, groundfish spawning and research. Implications include the possibility of closures for the scallop, quahog, halibut, shrimp, herring and groundfish fisheries.

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