HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-09-21
Nantucket Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board
Minutes September 21, 2010
Conference Room, Town Annex, 37 Washington Sy.
Call to Order at 4:31PM: Members present Dr. Boyce (in the chair), Mr. Blount, Mr.
Holdgate, Ms. McCrae (arrived 4:36), Mr. Rank. Mr. Smith
Members Absent: Mr. Glowacki, From Marine Dept: Mr Fronzuto, Ms. Riley, Mr. Herr
From the BOS: Mr. Willauer.
Chairman's Report:
Article 68 Work Group: Dr. Boyce reported that progress is continuing. Everything will be
based upon a Nantucket Best Management Practices document which will be reviewed by
scientists at UMASS Amherst. The vendors on Nantucket are willing to help in our efforts to
educate the public.
MMA Survey of Bottom of the Harbor: The Maria Mitchell Survey of 48 randomly chosen
sites on the bottom of the Harbor is now under way. This is the fifth year of data, so that
meaningful comparisons on the state of the eelgrass, scallop numbers, and predators will be
possible.
Approval of minutes: (4:37pm)
Dr. Boyce had not completes the minutes from the last meeting. They will be available for
approval at the next meeting.
Marine Department Report: (4:38pm)
Aquaculture: Mr. Fronzuto reported that he received a couple of aquaculture applications
which he willbring for our review next time.
Repairs to Children's Beach Boat Ramp.: The side areas will be extended with concrete
slabs, to keep trailers from dropping off the edge.
Abandoned Boats: The state has adopted a new law to help Towns deal with abandoned
boats. Mr. Fronzuto will give a summary at the next meeting.
Budget: So far the MCRD is being funded at last year's level. Dr. Boyce asked if the SHAB
could help support the MCRD budget. Mr. Fronzuto will let us know when our input would be
helpful.
Comments on Marine Department Report:
Mr. Willauer Asked who cleaned the Cormorant nests off the East Jetty. Mr. Fronzuto has
received complaints that cormorants are sitting on a float in Polpis Harbor, and they are fouling
the water. Apparently the Coat Guard washed the structure.
Dr. Boyce added to his report that he did write thank you letters to ReMain. He tried contacting
the reporter Elliot Baker about doing a story on the Boathouse, but has received no answer. Mr.
Holdgate asked if the Children's Beach repairs would be done one side at a time. Mr Fronzuto
said yes, and went on to elaborate.
Propagation Activities: Ms. Riley gave a report on her activities this summer which included:
1. Setting up a small scale hatchery.
2. Evaluate Larval Release as a propagation strategy
3. Collaborating with the MMA spat bag program
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4. Set up spawning cage sanctuaries throughout the Harbor
In addition, she has released 15,000 scallops in the Harbor which were collected in the spat
bags. She has collected 425 water quality samples so far. This has amounted to about half the
time of the interns just to monitor water quality. She has eight sites in the Harbor which have
been monitored. Pond monitoring is even more time consuming. Mr. Fronzuto showed a slide
which indicated that they pumped more sewage both overall and during race week. 75% of the
funding comes from a Federal program, which is expected to continue. Ms. Riley will evaluate
this year's program to find ways to make the program more efficient. Mr. Fronzuto said that Mr.
Riley has done an outstanding job on a shoestring budget. The programs are time consuming,
and everyone has worked very hard. Dr. Boyce said he has seen several hatcheries, but what
we have here in the Boathouse is nothing short of miraculous. Ms. Hall agreed that our
hatchery now compares favorably to other small hatcheries. Ms. Riley complimented her interns
who worked long hours throughout the summer to accomplish the program.A precautionary
note - The boathouse at Menempsha burned down. We need to have a fire suppression system
installed. He will work on that.
Old Business: (5:09pm)
Election of Secretary: The election of Secretary was carried over to the next meeting. Mr.
Smith asked if the Shellfish Association could fund hiring clerical help. He will bring it up at this
evening's meeting. Ms. McCrae (Mr. Smith second) moved to table this item. This motion was
agreed to by unanimous vote.
Progress on Shellfish Management Plan: Mr. Willauer reported the contract has been
executed and that SHAB will have to nominate two members to serve on the SMP Development
Committee. Other members are Dave Fronzuto, Tara Riley, Matt Herr, Jake Kritzer, and Cormac
Collier. Ms. McCrae nominated Doug Smith and Peter Boyce. No other nominations were made.
The slate was voted unanimously.
Annual Report: Dr. Boyce noted that he still has not done it. Ms. McCrae offered to help. Dr.
Boyce said he would do it if he can get to it.
Article 68 Work Group: This item was reported under the Chairman's Report item.
New Business:
Striped Bass Fishery: A large percentage of out of state boats participated. One launch ramp
on the Cape was closed because the demand far exceeded the capability to launch, and there
was apparently a scuffle.
Comments:
It was noted the the Environmental Plice Officer on Nantucket is not responding to complaints
that scup fishermenr at Brant Point are taking undersized fish.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5:32
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Boyce, Chair
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