Shellfish Advisory Committee
Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Town of Wellfleet
Shellfish Advisory Committee
DRAFT minutes for April 9, 2007
Present: Barbara Austin, Guy Daniels, Andrew Cummings, Jim O'Connell, John Connors, Joel Fox
Absent: Barbara Brennessel
Alternates present: Helen Miranda Wilson (arrived at 7:10), John Duane
Staff present: Andy Koch
Guests: Freddy Richards, Patrick Winston, Clint Austin, Ian Holmes, Gary Joseph, Bob Wallace, Tim Hughes, Nancy Kunick
Meeting came to order at 7:05 PM
Herring River Relay discussion
Long discussion about the moving of animals from deep in the mud to a reef down river.
A dragger should be used to remove the animals.
What dragger could be used?
Could the Shellfish Dept sub out a dragger for this purpose?
Should the Shellfish Dept get a grant for improving existing dragger?
Plans are for the Herring River to close to shellfishing Aug 15 because of history of high readings
There’s a lot of good “brood” stock in the river that should not be moved.
Should the Shellfish Dept start a reef in the fall on or near the town bed?
If Wellfleet cannot soon increase expected production levels, we will lose accounts to Duxbury
farms who expects to double their output. Duxbury grows high quality oysters.
Could we do a pilot program of transferring animals?
Oysters need to be handled. Brought to the surface and separated for them to grow to 3”
Oysters in the river are native and more resistant to disease. But grow at a slower rate.
Decision was for the committee, along with the Shellfish Constable and other shellfishermen
to conduct a site visit at the Herring River Sat. April 14 at 3 PM.
Hats in the Cove
Discussion about comments by a few as to the presence of what they believe to be too many hats in the cove. The committee, led by the shellfishermen and the constable did not see it that way.
More cultch needed
Argument was made by the constable that the clutching budget needs to be increased to continue
the cultching effort that has proven to be very effective throughout the harbor
Discussion of the idea to create a special license, the “Herring River Stamp”, that will allow
fishing in the Herring River and which funds will go into a “Cultch” fund.
Discussion was to make a case for increasing (doubling) commercial licenses and have those
monies placed in a “Cultch” fund. Further discussion centered around the proper
procedures of going forward with this idea and then presenting to the BOS and Fincom
Another idea was to dig up buried cultch and bring to the surface.
Dog Waste Program
Discussion regarding the inconsistency of the Beach Rules and Regulations with the reference to Wellfleet being a “pet-friendly” town. Guy D to revise the text to be consistent.
8:15 – A Cummings and J Connors leave
Next Meeting – 7:00 PM Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Snow Fence
This year’s portion of the project is completed
Those participating in the project were several members of the committee, along with volunteers
from the Health Dept, the Shellfish Dept and several from the commercial shellfishing
community. Joel Fox says “Thank you”
Estuaries Project
SAC and the NRAB support the program that is looking for $110,000
SAC members must attend Town Meeting and show support
John Duane will email arguments for and against the project and we should be prepared at the
Meeting, if need be, to argue in favor of
Minutes of March 16, 2007
Motion to accept – J Fox
Seconded-G Daniels
Passed 4-0
Motion by J Fox to adjourn
Seconded by Guy Daniels
Passed 4-0
Time: 9:00 PM
Respectfully submitted by Guy J Daniels
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