Shellfish Advisory Committee
Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Town of Wellfleet
Shellfish Advisory Committee
Minutes for February 7, 2007
Present: Barbara Austin, Barbara Brennessel, Guy Daniels, Andrew Cummings, John Duane,
Helen Miranda Wilson.
Staff: Andy Koch.
Absent: Jim O'Connell, John Connors, Joel Fox
Audience: Freddy Richards, Brent Valli, Nancy Kunik
Meeting came to order at 6:40 PM
Insurance
Andrew C presented a document titled, “New Insurance for Farmed Shellfish”, announcing a workshop to take place on Feb. 15th, 2007 from 2 PM to 4 PM at Cape Cod Community College, Science Bldg,. Lecture Hall C. The workshop will give an overview of how Adjusted Gross Revenue-Lite (AGR-Lite) can be used by licensed shellfish farmers to insure against farm losses.
FDA Oyster Testing
Andrew C informed SAC of a newly instituted program by the FDA that will randomly test oysters for salmonella and other infectious diseases and pathogens that could, realistically, contaminate shellfish during handling and shipping. These tests will be conducted at the point of purchase by consumers. If any test is positive, the FDA would shut down the source…meaning…the grower and the relative environment. If this happened to a grower in Wellfleet, the FDA could potentially shut down the entire Wellfleet Shellfish Industry. SAC discussed problems with this process and expressed real concerns such as: the need for strong representation through possible involvement with East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, SEMAC, MAA or the Farm Bureau, and a better understanding~of the chain of ownership
as oysters are shipped, handled, received and stored.
Dog Waste Program
Andrew C provided a potential grant source called The Sounds Conservancy Program. Guy D will follow up with the application requirements.
Guy D provided update on Grant activity.
B. Austin notified SAC that SPAT will be making their decision of awarding SAC a grant at their April meeting. Maximum will not exceed $1,000.
Helen MW suggested that if funding for the project would fall short of its goal, that SAC should contact all members of the BOS and the chairman of FinCom with a description and purpose for the project to get on the town warrant and hopefully fund the balance of the established budget.
Barb A to contact Dale Donovan
Helen MW to contact Chairman of FinCom
John D to contact Jacqui Wildes Beebe and Jerry Houk
Guy D to contact Tim Smith, Mike May and Ira Wood
Guy D to prepare a brief of the project and provide it to Barb A, Helen MW and John D ASAP
In a discussion with John Riehl, other than acknowledging that Dog Waste on or near ocean and fresh water areas is a serious problem, “Dog Waste is not the responsibility of the NRAB”.
Added for quorum
John D and Helen MW
Proposed Changes to Wellfleet Beach Regulations
SAC agrees to the proposed changes to #’s 13 and 14.
#15: SAC suggests adding to the end of the second paragraph the following: “The third and subsequent offenses are subject to an additional $100 increase per offense.” (Ex: The third offense would be $200, fourth…$300…and so on.)
#16: SAC suggests the following: “No domestic animals will be allowed in any fresh water pond or on any freshwater beach at any time during the summer season.”
Reason for change: SAC firmly agrees that bathers and dogs (quantity unknown) are not a good combination “during the summer season”. Off-season would obviously not present any issues with bathers, and the number of owners and dogs would be at a minimum. By inserting the phrase “during the summer season”, and by the meaning of the entire sentence, there is no need to be redundant by stating, “…and will be kept away from bathers at all Town landing areas at all times.
Motion to accept changes as noted: Andrew C
Seconded by Barb B
Passed 6-0
Minutes to Jan 10, 2007 meeting
Motion by Barb B. to accept minutes
Seconded by Andrew C
Passed 5-0
Helen MW informed SAC that to post approved minutes an electronic file would have to be provided to Rex Petersen.
Motion to accept-Helen MW
Seconded by Guy D
Passed 5-0
New vs. Used vehicles for Shellfish Dept
After hearing from Andy K about the type of use of vehicles by the Shellfish Dept, the shelf-life and trade-in value of “new” vs. “used”, SAC agreed with FinCom that for virtually the same cost, the 2-year cycle of a “new” vehicle provided more safety and dependability than other choices listed.
Construction Vehicles on Town Beaches
At a meeting with the Conservation Commission on Jan 17, Helen MW, Andy K and Guy D responded to questions that arose as a result of the letter sent by SAC suggesting the CC limit construction vehicle use on Town beaches. These vehicles had unlimited use and were damaging shellfish far down from high water. Andy K agreed to assist the Conservation Commission and the assigned contractor with identifying drive zones prior to construction.
Winter Storage of Floats and Barges
After a presentation from Brent Valli there was much discussion. Andy K had shared with SAC his involvement with Tim Smith and Hillary Greenberg identifying such areas. Wintering requires an area that is stable and accessible and is not affected by current or ice flow. Furthermore, it must not present a hazard to any natural resource. The following motion is intended for all owners and that any existing crafts are grandfathered regardless of size or style.
Motion by SAC – To recommend designated areas in Wellfleet Harbor for the wintering of floats and barges used for aquaculture, and to take into consideration the protection of the natural resources and aforementioned craft.
Seconded by Guy D
Passed 5-0
Andy K and Barb A to generate letter and present to the BOS
Tautog population
Discussion focused on reasons for the depletion of this resource and if the species could make a comeback. Though lobster traps are known to have a negative impact on the population, overfishing seemed to be the greatest cause.
No further action taken.
Permits for Erosion Control
Due to our recent experience, SAC will apply for permits 8 months in advance of installation.
Wellfleet Shellfish Management Plan 2007- Barb B
Existing MAPS are from 2002 and do not reflect current boundaries.
Andy K to procure map with updated line drawing.
SSO-Seaside Organisms – a disease found in oysters only
Existing graph reflects a quantity of “0” scallops taken by non-commercial fishermen.
Andy K brought to our attention that seed scallops are not being taken from the harbor. He showed us what looked like small scallop shells but because of their showing the 1st year growth rings, they were legal.
9:40 PM Motion to adjourn-Barb A
Seconded by Andrew C
Passed 5-0
Respectfully submitted by Guy J Daniels
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