The shellfish industry in Maine could shudder to a stop if the Maine state legislature passes cuts proposed for the Dept. of Marine Resources.
According to DMR Deputy Director David Etnier, the department proposed eliminating several positions that would end the shellfish inspections and biotoxic programs, thereby shutting down the shipment of shellfish out of state.
In addition to the elimination of four area biologist positions and the shifting of funds from the general fund to other revenue sources, the DMR proposed eliminating a total of nine positions.
All state agencies were told to propose cuts for the next two-year budget cycle. They were asked by Gov. John Baldacci to submit a proposal for what a 10 percent cut from their general fund would look like.
Agencies were asked by the governor’s office to submit their proposal in order to meet the $800 million budget shortfall the state is facing. The governor has to put the budget together to submit to the legislature no later than Jan. 9, 2009.
In fulfilling the 10 percent general fund cut, the DMR needs to reduce their budget by over $1 million per year. Etnier said that 50 percent of the DMR budget comes from the general fund, which is taxpayer money and money that comes from the state. The other 50 percent of the DMR budget relies on such funding sources as lobster tag fees, and federal grants, he said.
They proposed to cut the three state positions in the biotoxin program, which is responsible for making red tide determinations. Shellfish harvesters such as clam diggers and oyster farmers rely on the information from this program to sell their products.
The DMR also proposed cutting three additional shellfish dealer inspection positions in the public health division and three marine patrol officer positions.
“We’ve been reducing in these areas (public health and marine patrol) for years,” Etnier said, adding that the DMR was up against a financial wall regarding the cuts.
He said the only other way to meet the 10 percent would be to virtually eliminate all the marine patrol positions in the state, which would effectively close down the recreational fishing industry.
Rather than eliminate the nine positions, Etnier said the DMR proposed an increase on all licenses across the board by approximately 25 percent.
Etnier said that it is up to the governor and then the legislature to meet the state shortfall. They have to establish a balanced budget prior to next fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2009.
“They have to do it,” Etnier said. “We have to have a balanced budget and we’re not alone. This is a global issue.”