Wellfleet Shellfish Advisory Committee February 12, 2002
SAC members present: Barbara Austin, Andrew Cummings, Chris Merl and Jim O'Connell
Wellfleet Shellfish Constable - Bill Walton
Public present: Russ Apgar, Richard Blakeley, Rich Bartke, Karl Barrio, Peggy & Woddy Clark, Gary Davies, Nate Johnson, Andrew Koch, Nancy Kunik, Stephen Pickard, Irving Puffer, James Rose, Keith Rose & Lisa, Shawn Rose, Robert Rowell, Tobin Storer & Lisa, Myron & Judy Taylor, Randy Williams, Ann Wood and Jarred Ziemba
Meeting held at Town Hall, called to order 6:40pm
Open forum -
- Jim O'Connell expressed concern over a considerable number of used tie wraps that have washed up in the Field Point area of aquaculture grants.
Agenda -
Potential Permit Fees
Following last week's initial discussion involving proposed license fee changes, this meeting was scheduled by the SAC , in hopes for a broader voice from the shellfishing community.
Constable Walton opened discussion by explaining his stand on the issue; Walton stated that the number of commercial permits is increasing at a rate that the fishery can not accommodate, efforts must be made to reduce pressure on the resource in order to maintain a sustainable fishery. He feels an increase in the amount paid for commercial permit fees is the most democratic method to reduce harvest effort. Walton predicts, a substantial increase in permit fees will cause individuals not committed to the fishery, to abstain from participation in said fishery, thus curtailing effort. In addition to changes in permit fees, the Constable strongly recommends that the town adopts legislative practice to allocate a fixed percentage (75%) of all shellfish fees to a revolving fund for conservation and propagation purposes. Unless this
legislation is honored, there will be no permit fee changes.
Public response was requested by the SAC following Constable Walton's opening statements. Due to highly combative demeanors of some of the public present, and to the Committee's fault, orderly communication rapidly deteriorated. A consensus shared by some of the audience was unsupportive of the Constable's potential fee increases.
In regards to the Shellfish Grant Workers license fees, Jarred Ziemba suggested that grant help should only be required to hold the proposed permit if they do not already hold a commercial license. Andrew Koch added that additional (proposed) permits should not be required for help, if the lease holder is present while grant work is being conducted. Constable Walton assured all present that he would give these matters serious consideration.
After three hours of (often chaotic) deliberation, The SAC and Constable Walton agreed to hold another meeting to address these issues, with the understanding that public discussion and/or debate will be conducted in an orderly, if not civil, manner.
Meeting adjourned 10:05pm
Next SAC meeting: Wednesday, February 27th, 6:30pm at Town Hall
Agenda - Potential Permit Fees
Annual Beach Clean Up
Respectfully submitted,
R. Andrew Cummings
Shellfish Advisory Committee Secretary
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