Shellfish Communications Crier

Town Shellfish Crier

April 10, 2024

1. Shellfish Advisory Board (SAB) Discussion on Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)

At the last SAB meeting, two of its members raised an issue that between 60 and 75 percent of shellfishing trucks were over 9200 GWV, which is the maximum allowed per our regulations. They decided to put it on their next agenda for discussion and to possibly change the regulations. That discussion will take place this Friday, April 12 at 6 p.m. at the Adult Community Center and Zoom (see details below). To prepare for that, the Shellfish Department reviewed the vehicle information provided by shellfishermen with their commercial permit applications. Following is some more information.

• To see the regulation pertaining to GVW on the flats, please review section 6.5.3. Speed Limit on Beaches and Intertidal Areas on page 20 in the Town of Wellfleet Shellfishing Policy and Regulations.
• To listen to the SAB discussion on April 27, click here. Discussion takes place from 3:05:50 to 3:18.
• While shellfishermen who buy permits must provide information about the vehicles they use on the flats, data collection is not a perfect science. For example, we found erroneous and incomplete data was sometimes provided.
• Upon review of the database of vehicles and subsequent research to determine each GVW, it was determined that it is not always possible to discern a vehicle’s true GVW because online data provides a range of weight for some vehicles.

We encourage you to attend the meeting as we would like to hear broad industry feedback on this issue. We value your opinions.

1. Lieutenant Island South Audubon Access

The Shellfish Department has been working closely with Mass Audubon to monitor the use of and impact to the Audubon access road before the Lt. Island bridge on the left. Given the winter’s toll, Audubon has decided to put back the rope across the road with a combination lock on the right post. Any commercial shellfisherman interested in harvesting there should contact the Shellfish Department for the combination. We will let Audubon know the names and vehicles of those who have the combination. Audubon is requesting that you lock the entrance both when entering and leaving please. While the lock will now remain on year-round, we appreciate that they are ensuring our shellfishing access.

1. Welcoming New Deputy Shellfish Constable

As of the beginning of March, the Shellfish Department has welcomed Sarah Comstock as a Deputy Shellfish Constable. She will be responsible for recreational shellfishing and assisting Shellfish Constable Nancy Civetta with administration and paperwork. Prior to joining the department, Sarah served in AmeriCorps Cape Cod and spent time serving with the Wellfleet Shellfish Department. She has also enjoyed working on a Wellfleet oyster farm for many years and is excited to meet everyone on the flats!

1. Grant Holder Reminders
   • April 1 is when grant buoys are required to be out and marked. Numbers should be black and at least two inches high. You may share buoys as long as all bordering grant numbers are on the buoys.
   • We have recovered many oyster bags without tags. Please tag all gear before the upcoming grant inspections take place. If your info has become illegible on the tags, please replace them with legible ones.
   • We understand that gear and product are investments. Following tag regulations is the only way that we can ensure that your lost oysters are returned to you.
   • Please survey your areas for any wayward gear.
   • Please ensure you have paid your 2024 grant fees and submitted, or provided missing information for, your 2023 grant reports. We hope to resolve all outstanding paperwork by April 30. Thank you for your diligence!

1. Shellfish Advisory Board Hybrid Meeting This Friday, April 12 at 6 p.m. via Zoom and in person at the Wellfleet Adult Community Center

Agenda:

Announcements and Public Comment

Review Minutes

Herring River Project/Duck Harbor overwash

Cultching, Quahog Relay, and Propagation

Review Regulation 6.5.3 “Speed Limit on Beaches and Intertidal Areas” (re: Gross Vehicle Weight)

Ice Machine Update

Beach Cleanup Event

Future Topics

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://zoom.us/j/94214261094?pwd=NW5FbVFCUTZZVzZaUldydjNMZ1lYZz09

Meeting ID: 942 1426 1094 ~ Passcode: 136251 ~ Phone: +1 929 205 6099

Contact Nancy at nancy.civetta@wellfleet-ma.gov or 617-901-7193 with ideas on how the Shellfish Department can help or improve shellfishing. Thank you!

Nancy Civetta                  John Mankevetch                            Chris Manulla & Sarah Comstock

Shellfish Constable        Assistant Shellfish Constable       Deputy Shellfish Constables

617-901-7193                   508-962-0691                                     Chris: 508-962-8934