October 5, 2026 — Maine is changing the way new fishermen enter its state scallop drag fishery, pairing its longtime license lottery with an apprenticeship program designed to put experience, safety, and mentorship ahead of a simple random draw.
The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) adopted the new requirements this year after years of discussion with the Scallop Advisory Council, making the 2026 lottery the first to include an apprenticeship requirement.
Under the new system, prospective scallop drag license holders must identify a sponsoring captain when entering the lottery. If selected, an applicant receives an apprentice license and has two scallop seasons to complete required training before becoming eligible to purchase a commercial drag license.