Minutes
Minutes
Shellfish Advisory Board
March 12, 2014
Town Hall Hearing Room
Present: Barbara Austin, Barbara Brennessel, John Duane, Joel Fox, James O’Connell, Rebecca Taylor, Helen Miranda Wilson
Regrets: Jacob Puffer
Others in Attendance: Andrew Cummings, Bob Wallace, Fred Richard, Andrew Koch, Shellfish Constable
Meeting convened at 7:15 pm
Minutes from February 24, 2014 were approved as amended (7-0).
Report on March 8, 2014 Massachusetts Aquaculture Meeting last Saturday by Bob Wallace.He emphasized the need for communication.He announced that Commissioner Diodati is forming a group to plan for the industry for 2015-2019.A new transaction card will be introduced.Diane Murphy and Roxana Smolowitz gave an overview of their research on Vibrio testing.Wallace also remarked on the large industry presence at ISSC and that the new Vibrio Management plan should be in effect on April 4, but there would be no more public meetings.Wallace and Cummings described some aspects of the proposed plan.May 19-October 19 will be the Vibrio management period.The state will be providing log books for growers.
Andrew Cummings gave an update on liability insurance for growers. Farm Family was not renewing the liability policies.There may be a new carrier: Colonial (part of Lloyds of London) but it may cost more.Product liability may become an industry standard.The issue of mandatory liability insurance will be on the next agenda.
There was a discussion about gear on Egg Island.It might be necessary to change the Shellfishing Regulations to address the way some growers are deploying their gear.Helen MW will draft changes to the regulations and bring them to the next meeting.
Wallace also brought up the issue of third party verification of shellfish beds. Each grower may be required to have a management plan for their beds.
Aquaculture-related signage and educational material to increase public awareness: Andrew Koch described locations where the signage is present.Signage is needed at Omaha, Pleasant Point and Old Wharf.There may be a few other locations where signs should be posted.
Letter of support for Audubon horseshoe crab research project.The letter was unanimously approved.Barbara B. will email it tonight.
John Duane moved that certain members of the SAB be given permission to write and send letters on behalf of the SAB based on previous discussions on the subject.Copies must be sent to other SAB members.Letters that require discussion cannot be sent by individual SAB members.The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
Blood Arks: Helen MW reported on a discussion with Mike Hickey. In thestate shellfish regulations, blood arks are not defined.The DMF may have to regulate blood arks.It’s not clear if Wellfleet can have a local regulation.The SAB unanimously approved the definition of blood arks to be added to the Shellfishing Regulations:
Blood ark/blood clam-A bivalve of the species Anadara ovalis is one of the few marine mollusks having red blood. Its shell grows to a length of approximately two or three inches and is fairly thick and sturdy. Each of the two valves has approximately 35 radiating ribs. The complete bivalve, when viewed from the end, is heart-shaped.
Beach Clean Up:Saturday May 3. Helen MW will contact the newspapers; Barbara B. will coordinate with Audubon.
We will discuss green crabs at next meeting.
Next meeting: April 7, 2014
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Brennessel