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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHSAB Minutes - March 2, 2010_201402051347397754Nantucket Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board Minutes Meeting of March 2, 2010 Town Annex, 37 Washington St. • Call to Order at 4:32PM: Members present Dr. Boyce (in the chair), Mr. Blount, Mr. Holdgate, Ms. McCrae, and Mr. Smith. From Marine Dept: Mr. Fronzuto, Ms. Riley. • From the BOS: Mr. Willauer. Others present: Mr. Brace, Mr. Herr, Mr. Clayton, Mr. Collier, Ms. Molden, Mr. Shepherd, Mr. Spencer • Chairman’s Report: Updated Goals: Dr. Boyce distributed the updated list of goals approved on Jan 5, 2010. Open Spot on Ballot: Dr. Boyce noted that there were two candidates for 3 spots on the Board. Ms. McCrae urged people to help spark some interest in people to run as write-in candidates for the open position. March 16 Meeting: Dr. Boyce noted he would be absent. Mr. Holdgate will sit in the Chair. We will ask Dr. Oktay to present a summary of the ATM fertilizer regulation warrants. • Marine Department Report: Scallop Harvest: Mr. Fronzuto reported that the harvest has reached 16,200 bushels. Town Pier: AGM has been hired to repair the end of the Town Pier Dinghy Docks: There will be six new dinghy docks ready for the spring launch season. Water Quality: The School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) at UMASSD will be contracted to analyze 200 or more water samples to be taken during the next year. The price is being negotiated now. Analysis will include Nitrates, Phosphates, Dissolved Oxygen, Salinity, Temperature and chlorophyll. Extra samples will be taken during Figawi weekend and race week. He has found independent funding for this project. The Lab at the Sewage Treatment Lab will be doing the fecal coliform tests this year. They are certified for fresh water analysis. Propagation: Ms. Riley reported that sample Nantucket scallops have been sent to the Milford Lab for analysis. When shown to be disease free, further scallops will be spawned there. She also reported that the Boathouse is being reworked inside to provide appropriate space for hatchery operations. Mr. Fronzuto reported that the main support beam has deteriorated and will be re- welded and that the upwellers are being repaired by a local contractor. The Board expressed an interest in meeting in the Boathouse later in the year. • Old Business: SMP: Mr. Willllauer reported that the NSA has raised sufficient money to fund the development. The HSAB will have representatives on the ad-hoc committee to develop the RFP, and the process will be put out to bid soon. Possible representatives were discussed, with Mr. Smith and Mr. Blount expressing interest. Mr. Herr and Dr. Boyce also expressed interest. Dr. Boyce requested that HSAB have official representation on the committee to be appointed later by the BOS, and which will oversee the actual SMP development and public hearings. • New Business: Eelgrass Restoration Project: Mr. Collier reported on the Land Council project to restore eelgrass through the TERF method using frames to hold the seedlings in place. The eelgrass seedlings will be taken from an eelgrass bed in the Harbor and planted using 10 m2 frames to hold them in place. When the seedlings have rooted, 2 – 6 weeks later, the frames will be removed. The 1 project is being done in conjunction with Dave Burdick of UNH. Possible sites for restoration were discussed. Ms. Riley and Mr. Collier will continue discussions with fishermen before deciding on the final spots. Third bend was considered a likely spot for restoration. Second Bend has been taken over by codium. A possible site outside the Jetties was discussed, but the consensus was that too much sand is being transported ion the water out there for eelgrass to thrive. The Board unanimously voted to support the Land Council Project with the request that they return in September to report on the status and to discuss the possibility of a fishing exclusion zone to protect the first year eelgrass growth from being dredged. The Board believes this is an important project, and offered to help with volunteers when and if needed. The Board supports rapid approval of this project so that it can proceed without delay for the upcoming growing season. Seed Moving: Mr. Smith reported that there is a lot of seed in the Horseshed which should be moved up Harbor. This will be only 50-100 bushels. It was suggested to put the seed in the middle of 3rd Bend – out somewhat from shore, in ~8 feet of water. Bruce Cowan has been fishing the Horseshed and will know more about current conditions there. Parking: Ms. McRae spoke about the difficulty the Marine Department employees have in parking their Town vehicles near the office in summer. The Board unanimously voted to recommend that 2 or 3 parking spots in the permit side of the Town parking lot be assigned to Marine Department employees. Dredging: Mr. Smith recommended that dredging of places like the cut in the East Jetty be moved to a higher priority. A lot of sand has accumulated – up to buoy 5 of the main channel. Perhaps other places also need to be considered for dredging. The Board was supportive of placing a higher priority on dredging and raising the jetties to full tide height. Mr. Holdgate was especially concerned about the safety issues of having the jetties disappear at high tide. Mr. Fronzuto will attend the next HPIC meeting to raise this issue. Extending the Scallop Season: Mr. Smith reported that scallops are still easy to catch and proposed extending the season. Seven days have been lost to weather. Allowing an additional box to be caught was discussed, but extending the season was thought to be a better option. Allowing Saturday fishing was rejected as an option. This discussion was tabled until the next meeting. • Next meetings: March 16 and April 6 and 20, 2010 • Meeting Adjourned: 5:58 pm Respectfully submitted by Peter Boyce for Bam LaFarge 2