HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-18-14Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board Special meeting
November 18'h 2014 at 5:00 p.m.
Community Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road
Members present: Peter Brace (Chair), Chuck Connors, Bill Blount, Michael Glowacki,
Dr. Peter Boyce
Members Absent: Doug Smith, Wendy McCrea
Marine Dept:
Natural Resources Dept. Jeff Carlson, Tara Riley
Others: Matt Herr
CALL TO ORDER
5:00
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The motion to approve the November 18'h agenda of the HSAB was made by Mr.
Connors, seconded by Mr. Blount and unanimously approved
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The motion to approve the minutes from the November a HSAB minutes was made by
Mr. Brace, Seconded by Mr. Blount and were unanimously approved (Mr. Connors
and Mr. Glowacki abstained due to absence)
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Senate bill 979 is moving forward, Governor Patrick has until January to sign the bill.
MARINE DEPARTMENT REPORT:
No Report
NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT
Jeff Carlson:
Scallop bushel count just under 3,000. This is keeping pace with last years numbers.
One seed violation issued.
No cold weather days as of yet.
A meeting concerning Vibrio (a shellfish disease transmittable to humans) was attended
by Ms. Riley. The meeting was about safe handling of shellfish as a means of preventing
Vibrio.
The boathouse renovation is moving forward, a meeting tomorrow with the BOS is taking
place and will hopefully further this process.
Water quality biologist interviews start on Thursday. There are 6 candidates for the job.
The goal for hiring the WQB is 2015.
A motion was made to elect Dr. Boyce as the member from HSAB to be involved in the
hiring of the WQB position.
The motion was made by Mr. Connors, seconded by Mr. Glowacki and unanimously
was approved
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MARINE DEPARTMENT / NATURAL RESOURCES
REPORT
Matt Herr commented on the loss of eel grass that he had observed. A discussion about
the eelgrass and its degradation was had. It was followed by a discussion on Lygnia,
water temperature and nitrogen levels in the harbor. Dr. Boyce will give a presentation
about the eelgrass loss in Nantucket harbor at the December 16t' HSAB meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Revised Shellfish regulations — discussion:
A discussion about counting the entire catch of scallops before issuing a seed violation
was had. Mr. Blount said that he feels the entire catch should be counted to insure the
violation in question is truly over 5 %. Mr. Carlson mentioned that during this process it
took over thirteen man -hours to count and measure only half of a recent violators catch
and it turned out to be well over 8 %. Mr. Carlton noted that doing this would take the
wardens away from their regular duties and that they wouldn't be available to check the
other boats as they bring in their catch.
A motion was made by Mr. Blount to include in the revised shellfish regulation that the
wardens must count your entire catch but the motion died for lack of a second
NEW BUSINESS
No new business
PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENT
No public comment
RECAP and ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
ADJOURN
Motion Made by Dr. Boyce, seconded by Mr. Connors and unanimously approved
Future Meetings:
December 2nd
December 16th
Respectfully Submitted
Chuck Connors, Secretary