Minutes
Minutes
Shellfish Advisory Board
August 20, 2014
Town Hall Hearing Room
Present: Barbara Austin, Barbara Brennessel, John Duane, Joel Fox, Jacob Puffer (Alternate), Rebecca Taylor, Helen Miranda Wilson
Regrets: James O’Connell,
Others in Attendance: John Brawley, Fred Richard, Ethan Estey, Curt Felix, Alison Paine, Andy Koch, Shellfish Constable
1. Convened: 7:10 pm
2. Minutes: Minutes from July 2 approved as amended (5-0).
3. Report from John Brawley:
Vibrio compliance: No confirmed cases of Vibrio in Welllfeet but John reported on state-wide cases. So far, there have been no closures. Most harvest dates were early to mid-July. John explained what he has been doing so far this summer. In terms of compliance, Shellfish Dept. thinks things have been going well, but according to EPOs, there have been some compliance issues including confiscations in Town. Because of confusion, DMF is trying to map out the areas with respect to exposure time.
NOAA proposal for Vibrio research is likely to be funded. Water quality, oyster tissue and resubmergence studies: work to start next Spring.
TA has put DMF and DHP on agenda at next meeting.
Working with SERI to develop an economic loss model for potential Vibrio closures or changes in harvesting techniques.
Time of exposure: LIDAR data and other information is being collated to come up with guidelines for exposure times.
More temperature, light intensity data loggers will be deployed. The data will be analyzed.
Microbial communities are being examined at Powers Landing and compared to other areas in and out of state.
UNH is looking at Vibrio strains in Wellfleet and Duxbury.
VP plan for next year: ideas for next year are being identified and Rhode Island regulations might be used as a model. Industry will collaborate with regulators about possible changes to the regulations.
Julian Cyr and John Brawley will be on WOMR Wed. Sept 3 at 12:30: Discussion on Vibrio on “This Place Matters.”
John will send links to the Vibrio resubmergence studies to SAB.
4. Andy Koch said he was proud of the shellfishermen and his staff who have been trying to abide by the regulations and make sure that everyone is on compliance.
5. Closure Dates for Duck Creek: Dec. 1 opening was approved at last meeting.
6. Special Circumstance for the Taking of Seed. Shellfishing Regulations: Section 7.15.2 regrding a change requested by Mike Hickey. We had a digression regarding Chinese Hats. Motion was made to accept Helen’s amendment. Approved 4-1
7. Landing of Shellfish. Discussion of how many trucks can be at the pier for transfer of oysters. The SAB delegated Helen to talk to Michael Moore about the number of trucks that can be on the pier. The SAB approved Helen’s wording for this section to go into Section 6.6 Transfer of Oysters to Wholesale Dealer’s Trucks. Approved (5-0).
8. Herring Warden Job Description: TA asked SAB to respond to the job description.
We decided to thank the TA for sending this to us but this is not in our jurisdiction. If there is anything specific in the future we would be happy to help. John Duane will send a memo to the TA on behalf of the SAB.
9. Liability Insurance. Joel gathered some information for us to review.
$100,000 general commercial liability coverage is based on acreage. $880 (under 5 acres) to $980 (over 5 acres).
10. Priorities for future meetings: liability insurance, height of racks and gear. green crab management, rotational closures, Pilgrim Nuclear Plant.
11. Barbara B. announced that she would not remain on SAB after her term expires next June.
12. Next Meeting: September 16, 7 PM
13. Meeting Adjourned: 9:15pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara Brennessel