Franklin takes over regional shellfish program SULLIVAN—After a brief search, the Frenchman Bay Regional Shellfish Program has found a new home in Franklin. The program formed more than a decade ago to act as a steward over the mudflats in Hancock, Lamoine, Sorrento, Sullivan, Trenton, Franklin and Ellsworth after the region became inundated with clammers from up and down the coast who were fleeing red tide in other parts of the state. While none of the municipalities could likely manage a shellfish program to protect the resource on its own, the seven together could get a handle on the flats, with the city of Ellsworth handling the administrative duties, licensing and enforcement.