Pellowe to present shellfish study findings Sept. 18 in Damariscotta 

Kara Pellowe, who recently earned her doctorate at the University of Maine and now is a postdoctoral researcher, will present results of a summer shellfish project at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Damariscotta Town Office.

In July, Pellowe and others gathered data at low tide to assess the abundance, composition and size of soft-shell clams and other shellfish in intertidal flats managed by the towns of Damariscotta and Newcastle.

“Our flats support a variety of shellfish, including soft-shell clams, quahogs, razor clams, blue mussels, American oysters and European oysters,” said Pellowe in July.

The research was conducted to inform stewardship of the shellfish resources managed jointly by the towns of Damariscotta and Newcastle.

“This collaborative project is gathering some of the first data on the health of these populations and will hopefully contribute to more proactive management in the future,” said Damariscotta town manager Matt Lutkus in July. “I’m looking forward to learning of the team’s results.”

 Founded in 1965, the Darling Marine Center’s mission is to connect people to the ocean. The center’s researchers, staff and students work alongside fishermen, aquaculture entrepreneurs, marine industry professionals and other members of the community in Maine and around the world. More information is available at dmc.umaine.edu