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Home My WebLink About2013-9-3Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board September 3'd at 5:00 p.m. Conference Room, 4 Fairgrounds Road Members present: Peter Brace (Chair), Chuck Connors, Doug Smith, Michael Glowacki, Dr. Peter Boyce Members Absent: Wendy McCrae, Bill Blount Marine Dept: Sheila Lucey Natural Resources Dept. Jeff Carlson, Tara Riley, Leah Cabral Others: Matt Herr CALL TO ORDER 5:00 APPROVAL OF AGENDA Unanimously approved APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes from July 2nd Spelling corrections: fecal coliform, Student mentoring. Unanimously approved as amended CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Update on SBRW: Last 2 meetings didn't make quorum. The last meeting was in July it was a Joint meeting with HSAB and SBRW. The meeting was pertaining to a town bylaw that states residency requirements for commercial fishermen, also the enforcement of the bylaw(s) were discussed. Chief Pittman, Environmental Police officer Keith Robinson, the Marine department and Natural Resources department including shellfish warden J.C. Johnson were all in attendance. It was decided at this meeting to write a letter that would go to town council explaining our concerns about this issue. A letter was returned to Jeff Carlson by attorneys Kopelman and Paige, P.C. explaining their interpretation of the town code Chapter 122. Kopelman and Paige made mention of Barlow vs. Town of Wareham, 401 Mass. 408 (1988) which gives town the right to restrict commercial shell fishing activities to residents of the town and further gives the town the right to restrict any non - resident from commercially shell fishing anywhere within 3 miles of it's shore. Kopelman and Paige also stated that section 122 -16 authorizes the shellfish warden and his deputies to enforce violations of chapter 122 and that the town may designate different or additional town officers to enforce chapter 122 if deemed necessary to do so. MARINE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Life Guards 2013 summer season: Life Guards guarded 8 beaches, The ATVs proved to be very successful, as did the newly initiated on call program. The life guards were called 12 times for after hours rescues. It was a bad year for rip currents which kept them busy. Approximately 113,560 people were guarded this summer, that's about 30,000 more then last year, 46 rescues were performed, 191 assists, 4 first aids that required EMS transport and 2 missing persons were found and rescued. Madaket Road Hazards: At the end of Madaket road there were some old hazards such as foundations, septic tanks, pipes, 4x4's, Stakes ect. They were marked by the MD with flags and pulled out what they could with their truck. Ken Coffin filled two large trucks with cement, rebar and other debris. Life Guard stand was moved down the beach to prevent people from swimming where the hazards were. The move was temporary because the stand was not placed on town property. Marine Departments on the water activities 2013: 51 search and rescue cases, 769 Pump outs, participated in 11 marine events, issued 30 Moorings, issued 52 mooring violations, 22 dead moorings removed from Monomy area. Dan Blount will be moving from the MD to the NRD for 6 months as an assistant warden. Dredging Polpis harbor is scheduled for this fall, Sheila Lucey will get back to us with dates. NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT Hatchery progress: The hatchery produced a good number of scallop larvae, it was comparable to what was produced in 2011. The numbers are aTproximately 84,000,000 scallop larvae released; 16 million in 5"' bend, 26 million in 2" and 39 million in 4`t' bend. The hatchery also produced some 400,000 quahogs this season. 40,000 quahogs were also purchased at ARC at 2mm and are approximately 12mm now and will be planted in the mooring field soon. The NSA grant that was issued to the NRD which bought 3 new upwellers and pumps has been going well, they are in the process of gathering growth data for quahogs and oyster seed. By the end of October they should have the data. Sesachacha pond oysters: There are currently 10,000 oysters in the pond, half being diploid and the other half triploid. They will be kept in the pond over winter to see what growth data they can get. Beach Monitors Doug Smith: Mr. Smith is looking for dedicated volunteers for beach monitors to walk beaches after storms for seed strandings. He would like to have an organized stranding team in place for when a stranding occurs. Renovating the Boathouse: Jeff Carlson talked to the board about a proposal he is getting together in hopes of having some funds granted to the NRD for the Boathouse to be renovated in a manner that would allow it to be used year round. A motion to authorize the Chair to write a letter of support for Mr. Carlson 's proposal to get a grant and secure funding was made by Mr. Glowacki, seconded by Dr. Boyce and unanimously approved (Mr. Smith abstained from the vote noting his employment at the boathouse) Alternative funding sources for NRD Personnel: Discussion was had about how the NRD gets its funding for personnel and HSAB would like to share its ideas on possible funding sources with the BOS. Possibly writing a letter to the Chair of the BOS stating that we would like to have a chance to speak to the them before they give any suggestions to the town manager on develop any revenues was discussed. Septic Design Michael Glowacki: SPWG meeting update was given, Mr. Glowacki made mention of how Wellfleet uses oysters as a means to help clean water. Dr. Boyce explained how this process works and although oysters are helpful at cleaning water, the harbor is just too large for it work here. PUBLIC COMMENT ON MARINE DEPARTMENT / NATURAL RESOURCES REPORT No Public comment OLD BUSINESS Town- Siasconset beach preservation fund MOU and rock revetment project — Discussion: The Board discussed the project and what it feels are its positives and negatives. We will keep this on the agenda and continue discussing it. NEW BUSINESS Sending Scallops to the Coastal Watershed Institute to look at gonad condition — Jeff Carlson: Mr. Carlson asked the board for support to send 25 bay scallops to the Coastal Watershed Institute in Florida for a look at the possible impact that the harmful algae bloom (cochlodinium) has on their gonads. A Motion to approve the shipment of 25 bay scallops for the use of scientific research was made by Mr. Connors, seconded by Mr. Glowacki and unanimously approved. (Mr. Smith abstained due to his employment by the NRD) Town Policy on funding shellfish- related research projects: A letter from Libby Gibson was sent to Mr. Brace explaining that HSAB cannot issue funding for shellfish- related research projects. This was in regards to a decision made 2 years back when the board issued funds to Dr. Estabrooks for a research project. Mr. Brace explained the letter and what it means to us at HSAB. PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENT No public comment RECAP and ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING Travel lift at GHYC Letter to BOS Chair ADJOURN Mr. Smith Made the Motion, Mr. Connors seconded it, it was unanimously approved. Future Meetings: October 1st 2013, October 15th 2013