HomeMy WebLinkAboutHSAB Minutes - October 19, 2010_201402051347412130
Nantucket Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board
Minutes October 19, 2010
Conference Room, Town Annex, 37 Washington Sy.
Call to Order at 4:34PM: Members present Dr. Boyce (in the chair), Mr. Glowacki, Mr. Fred
Holdgate, Ms. McCrae, Mr. Rank
Members Absent: Mr. Blount, , Mr. Smith From Marine Dept: Mr. Herr
From the BOS: r Others: Mr. Brace
Approval of Minutes: (4:36pm)
Dr. Boyce passed out the minutes for September 21 and October 5. Mr. Holdgate moved
acceptance (Ms. McCrae second). The minutes were approved unanimously.
Marine Department Report: (4:37pm)
There was no official report. Mr. Holdgate asked how the spat bags were running. Mr. Herr
remarked that the MMA had some large numbers in the Head of the Harbor. Dr. Boyce said that
there were 2,000 scallops in two of the bags set out on August 15, and a mere hundred or so in
the others on the same line. However this was a great contrast to last year in which there was
nothing in the August 15 bags, no scallops, no crabs, and no shrimp. Mr. Herr wondered if
when the spawn occurred on the outgoing tide there was a big set in the nags outside the
Harbor, but not much in the Head of the Harbor. And if the spawn occurred on the incoming
tide, there would be a big set in the Head of the Harbor and not so much in the outside bags.
The spat bags from the larval release area and the control area are being counted right now.
Ms. Riley is trying to wrap up all the counting right now. Dr. Boyce said the Maria Mitchell
program depends upon volunteers in the off season.
Old Business: (4:44pm)
Guidelines for Aquaculture Leases: The proposed Guidelines had been distributed at the
previous meeting. Dr. Boyce went over the rationale for requiring a production plan and a set of
qualifications from each applicant. Mr. Holdgate moved (Ms. McCrae second) to accept the
guidelines. The vote for approval was unanimous.
Approve Application for Aquaculture Lease for Andy Roberts: The application had been
distributed and discussed at the last meeting. Ms. McCrae moved (Mr. Rank second) that
acceptance of the the application be recommended. The vote for approval was unanimous.
Progress on Shellfish Management Plan: Mr. Herr reported that the first meeting was held
on Monday, November 18. Mr. Herr was elected chairman, with Frank Dutra as vice chair, and
Tara Riley and Dave Fronzuto acting as Secretary. The Committee decided to meet monthly on
the middle Wednesday of the month through January, after which there will be two meetings
per month. There will be a Public Forum held on November 10. The Forum will be advertised in
the paper, and Ms. Riley will go on local TV to talk about the Public Forum and the SMP
process. The Urban Harbors Institute people went over the outline of the plan and the goals of
the Committee. The Plan will emphasize the collection of public input. There was discussion of
the importance of stable funding, especially when the number of licenses declines. Dr. Boyce
emphasized that pert of the SMP process was to get historical data down on paper – such as
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when scallops were plentiful in Madaket, outside the Harbor, and around Tuckernut. Mr. Herr
noted that the SMP will deal with recreational fishery as well. The goal is to enhance the fishery
for everyone. The recreational fishery draws visitors to Nantucket in the shoulder season and
provides needed revenue. Mr. Holdgate asked if the nubs contend with the seed for food
resources. Mr. Herr said most people thought the Cochlodinium was to blame for last year’s
small catch. Dr. Boyce said that Ms. Hall’s data indicate the nubs do live long enough to spawn
twice and contribute to maintaining the population. Mr. Herr said that the nub question would
be discussed during the SMP process. Mr. Holdgate asked again if too many nubs competed for
food and were a negative influence. Mr. Rank said that we could bring up the nub rule with the
state again this year, since it had been in force for two years, and could be open to revision.
Annual Report: Ms. McCrae is helping with the report, which will be ready for approval at the
next meeting.
Report on Article 68 Work Group: Dr. Boyce reported that the final edits were made by the
Work Group for half the article 68 Home Rule Petition. The Work Group is working on a set of
Board of Health Regulations which can be implemented more rapidly. The WG will meet on
November 2 and 9, by which time the recommendations will be ready to go to the BOS.
Mr. Holdgate asked if this had to go back through Town Meeting. Dr. Boyce said no, the
Town Meeting gave the BOS permission to forward the Home Rule Petition to the
legislature without returning to the Town Meeting.
New Business: No new Business
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5:10pm
Next Meetings: November 2 and 19.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Boyce, Chair
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