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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-7-2Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board July 2, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Conference Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road Members present: Peter Brace (Chair), Chuck Connors, Doug Smith, Wendy McCrae, Michael Glowacki, Dr. Peter Boyce Members Absent: Bill Blount Marine Dept: Natural Resources Dept. Jeff Carlson, Tara Riley Others: Jim Ellis CALL TO ORDER 5:03 APPROVAL OF AGENDA An item was added to new business was added — Summer 2013 — Outline Maria Mitchell Scallop Research Program — Dr. Peter Boyce Motion made by Mr. Connors, Seconded by Mr. Smith and unanimously approved as amended APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve the minutes from the June 18`h HSAB meeting was made by Mr. Glowacki, Seconded by Mr. Smith and unanimously approved. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT MARINE DEPARTMENT REPORT: No Report Given NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT A larval release in 5th Bend was done, 15 million scallop larvae released. Sesachacha pond oysters — Oysters have been released into the pond and are being monitored. Water quality results — All of Polpis harbor failed for fecal chloroform bacteria, the area of Sesachacha pond by the road failed for fecal chloroform and Coskata pond failed for fecal chloroform on its beach side. Bathing Beaches: With the exception of Warrens landing all the beaches passed the water quality tests. Derelict gear (Head of Harbor) — Jeff Carlson Mr. Carlson told the board about some reports of derelict gear in the head of the harbor. The NRD is in the process of determining who it belongs to. If an owner is not located the gear will be removed. PUBLIC COMMENT ON MARINE DEPARTMENT / NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT No Public comment OLD BUSINESS Draft letter to BOS — The board discussed the draft letter written by Mr. Brace, some suggestions and changes are going to be made. Moorings in shellfish bed — This item will remain on the agenda. NEW BUSINESS Town — Siasconset Beach Preservation Fund MOU — The board discussed the possible building of a series of rock walls to help prevent erosion of the Sconset bluff at Baxter Rd. and to possibly save the properties that are being impacted by it. This project (if approved) would be funded by the SBPF. On July 20' the BOS supported this. The fact that this was never brought up to HSAB before it went in front of the BOS was discussed and whether or not it's a concern for us was talked about. The Board discussed the possible impact this could have on the beach areas where the water from the walls are being directed towards. This Item is going to be kept on the Agenda. Development of protocol for sovereignty over our waters for Nantucket's conch fishery — Matt Herr Mr. Herr would like to see the Town of Nantucket protect it's conch inside the Harbors from being harvested commercial by fisherman who do not hold year round residency on Nantucket. Mr. Herr talked about the harbor's conch fishery and how it has been managed for more then a decade. He explained how it's only fished every other year and how this allows for it to remain sustainable by keeping the fishing pressure off the conch. Mr. Herr talked about the increasing number of fishing boats not from Nantucket who fish right off our shores and that it's only a matter of time before they take the next step and set gear inside our harbor. Mr. Ellis talked about how the town has a by -law in place regarding shellfish and it includes conch. He explained that there is a residency clause for commercial fishing of shellfish in Nantucket waters. What Mr. Herr would like to know is what would happen if a person (not a Nantucket resident) set conch pots in the harbor, and how the enforcement of the by -law would be handled. The board is going to have a special meeting where we invite the enforcement officers to come and hopefully find a solution to this. A vote to have a special Joint meeting on July l lth between the HSAB and the SBWG at 4:00pm in the community room at 4 Fairgrounds Rd. was approved. Dr. Boyce Made the Motion, Ms. McCrae Seconded it and it was approved by a 5 -0 vote (Mr. Glowacki abstained from voting) Summer 2013 — Outline Maria Mitchell Scallop Research Program - Dr. Boyce gave a presentation explaining Maria Mitchell's 2013 Scallop Research Program. The program consists of 6 different programs or surveys and Dr. Boyce gave a detailed description of them all. 1. Spat Bag monitoring 2. Benthic survey 3. Student monitoring program 4. Lyngbya survey 5. Gonad and condition indices 6. Water Temperature PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENT No public comment RECAP and ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING Letter to the BOS regarding water quality biologist SBRW update Mooring in shellfish beds Joint SBWG / HSAB ADJOURN 6:55pm Ms. McCrae made the motion, seconded by Mr. Connors and unanimously approved. Future Meetings: July 11`h August 6th September 3"d