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