Shellfishermen Communications
Town Shellfish Crier 9-29-17 ( past )
October 12, 2017
1.Grant Inspections
We will begin grant inspections starting next Tuesday, Oct. 17. Here is the schedule:
Tues.-Fri., Oct. 17-20: Field Point/Blackfish Creek, Indian Neck
Wed. and Thurs., November 1 and 2: Mayo Beach and Powers Landing
Fri. and Sat., Nov. 3 and 4, and Mon. and Tues., Nov. 6 and 7: Egg Island
Wed.–Fri., Nov. 8-10: Blackfish Creek, Old Wharf Point, Loagy Bay
Thurs. and Fri., Nov. 16 and 17: Inside the breakwater toward Chipman’s Cove
Grant lease holders must be present for inspections. Please advise us by Monday, Oct. 16, if someone from your grant will not be available during the scheduled times/areas above.
Please review section 7, pages 20-27, of the Town of Wellfleet’s Shellfishing Policy and Regulations for details on what we will be checking for, noting especially Section 7.12: Use it or Lose It and Section 7.19: Aquaculture Gear and Equipment. In addition, we will be collecting info on all licenses and permits held, as well as getting all employees registered and overwintering rack agreements distributed.
2.FDA Inspection
We are happy to report that the FDA came to do a review of our harbor waters and our department’s operations, and we got a very positive evaluation. Our water quality sampling program with the state is right on the money. We added a new sampling station at Uncle Tim’s Bridge to make sure the Duck Creek closure line between the permanently closed area north of Uncle Tim’s and the conditionally approved area south to the railroad bridge and the pier is accurate. This area – from Uncle Tim’s Bridge south to the pier – will open on December 1, 2017. The federal inspectors were very pleased with how the Shellfish Department is monitoring its shellfishing areas and communicating about them.
3.Board of Selectmen 2017-2018 Goals
We were impressed with the 2017-2018 goals that the Board of Selectmen set for itself. It is clearly prioritizing the Town’s shellfish industry and understanding that clean waters are necessary to ensure a healthy fishery for the future. We will all benefit from this vision, and we look forward to working together to realize these goals.
4.Wellfleet OysterFest
Police Chief Ron Fisette wants you to know that the OysterFest Road Race will take place on roads leading to Indian Neck this year. The race begins on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 9 a.m. from Cove Corner. He is aiming to get Pilgrim Spring Rd. back open by 9:30 a.m., but please plan your trips accordingly. Low tide isn’t until the afternoon so hopefully this won’t interrupt your work day.
Also, Assistant Shellfish Constable Johnny “Clam” Mankevetch will lead a tour of the flats in front of Mayo Beach with visits to two multigenerational family farms. He will talk about grants, the economic engine of the town’s shellfish industry, as well as the wild fishery, Wellfleet’s heart and soul. Free. Starts at old Shellfish Dept. office, 35 Kendrick Ave., Mayo Beach at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
5.In the News
Voices from the Wheelhouse: Tune in to WOMR 92.1/91.3 FM on Sunday, Oct. 15, at noon for an interview with Barbara Austin and an oyster recipe. Listen anytime here once it airs.
Contact Nancy at nancy.civetta@wellfleet-ma.gov or 508-349-0325 or 617-901-7193 to make sure we have your email and cell phone numbers for these important communications. Thank you!
Nancy Civetta - Shellfish Constable
John Mankevetch - Assistant Shellfish Constable
Chris Manulla - Deputy Shellfish Constable