Lotteries Now Open for Scallop Drag and Dive Licenses

The Department of Marine Resources is announcing the annual lotteries for scallop drag and scallop dive licenses. Based on licenses retired in 2024, the Department is making available 14 drag licenses (7 drag licenses will be awarded to individuals between the age of 18-30 and 7 drag licenses will be awarded to individuals 31 years of age or older) and 5 dive licenses. The Department will begin accepting applications at noon on September 15th, and the lotteries will remain open until 4:30 pm October 17th.

In order to be eligible for the scallop license lotteries, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

• Is a Maine resident and 18 years of age or older;
• Held in any previous calendar year or currently holds any commercial license issued by the Department of Marine Resources (under 12 M.R.S Part 9), or has in the past or currently is crewing onboard an active commercial scallop vessel;*
• Has not been convicted or adjudicated of a marine resources offense that resulted in a license suspension within the last 7 years;
• Does not currently possess a Scallop Dive or Scallop Drag license issued by Maine DMR
  
  *If you intend to use a license that you held from 1995 -2025 to meet this requirement, the Department will use its licensing database to confirm that you held the license. If you intend to use a license that you held prior to 1995 to meet this eligibility criteria, you will need to produce a copy of the license for the Department's review. If you intend to use experience as crew as evidence of meeting this requirement, you will need to provide documentation of the year(s), vessel(s), and captain(s). DMR will review the information provided to determine if you meet this requirement.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to determine their eligibility to participate in the scallop license lottery. If an applicant for either lottery is drawn, but determined to be ineligible, that drawing shall be void and the Department will draw another individual. The application fee submitted with the ineligible application is non-refundable.

Any eligible individual may enter either the scallop drag license lottery or the dive license lottery, but not both lotteries. There will be a $37 fee to enter the lottery. $35 of each entry is deposited in the Scallop Research Fund and $2 goes to InforME who designed and supports the online lottery entry system.

Beginning at noon on September 15th, online applications will be available at https://www.maine.gov/scalloplottery. Payments for online applications must be made by credit card. Applicants may also complete a paper application at the DMR offices in the Marquardt Building, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta. Lobby days and hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 8 AM to 4:30 PM. However, please be advised that when applying in person, the lottery entry fee must be paid either by check or money order. We cannot accept cash payments. Any applications delivered in person on Wednesdays or Fridays must be left in the secure drop box in the Licensing vestibule. Finally, the Department cannot accept paper applications through the mail.

A Frequently Asked Questions document is available online as well. If you have remaining questions, please call Maine DMR at 624-6550, Option 2 and we will try to assist you.