9/17/2018 SHELLFISH COMMISSION Minutes

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Old Business- Article for October Town Meeting Warrant Shellfish Seed, Selectman vote not to include on warrant: Article was submitted late, therefore it was not included on the warrant for the October town meeting. Thomas asked about the boards input on the article that was submitted for the October warrant. He was unaware of the article that was submitted, and unhappy that the board didn't have more input on the matter. He commented that communication is key to continue the program, and to help the town save money in the long run. He also stated that the commission should be aware of the total shellfish budget for the year to come, to help the department in the future if this issue arises again. Public Access: Dale Christensen had no update no public access. He stated he had tried to set up a meeting with the previous shellfish constable and was unable to contact him. Christensen also sent in his letter and resume to the board of selectman requesting appointment to the shellfish commission. New Business. CWNMP Revised shellfish seeding plan for 2019 due to reduced funding; Submitted by DNR Director York: Adaptive management changes to the Comprehensive Watershed Nitrogen Management Plan(CWNMP) Phase I implementation for 2019 are necessary due to reduced funding for 2019. The changes are reduction of the planned number of quahog seeding by the Mashpee Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and increased production at shellfish farms (Shellfish Aquaculture Grants) with the potential for continuation of the water quality improvements in Great River, Little River and Hamblin Pond in 2017. Water quality monitoring results had significant lower total nitrogen in 2017 compared to 2010 through 2016. The changes are: 1) Replacement of planned quahog seeding by the DNR in Hamblin pond with the expansion of a 1 acre shellfish farm (grant) to 10 acres to facilitate the production of 3.5 million oysters annually removing 1,750 kg of nitrogen. Enhanced denitrification in the oyster farm is estimated to remove another 1,750 kg N for a total of 3,500 kg nitrogen reduction. The target in the CWNMP is 3,400 kg N reduction for the pond. 2) Reduction of planned quahog seeding by the DNR in Great River to 2.5 million in 2019, taking into consideration the potential increased production at the new 1 acre shellfish farm at the south end of Great River to remove more nitrogen and make significant improvements in water quality. 3) Reduction of planned quahog seeding by the DNR in Little River to 1 million.,and in Jehu Pond to 1 million. Seeding 1 million quahogs in Jehu Pond is far short of the number needed to harvest 3.5 million quahogs there as specified in the CWNMP.