03/12/2019 SHELLFISH COMMISSION Minutes

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4.13 Aquaculture License Area Boundaries: The boundaries of licensed shellfish aquaculture areas shall be marked with yellow float balls at least 15 inches in diameter labeled with the words "Shellfish Aquaculture" and the license number with at least 2 inch black lettering. Marker balls at the corners of the boundary must be anchored with mushroom or pyramid anchors weighing at least.100 pounds.Marker balls may be replaced with winter sticks containing the same markings from December through March. Markers must be present on the corner points of the licensed area year-round. Any proposed alternative markings of a licensed area must be submitted in writing to the Shellfish Constable and Harbormaster; if in the discretion of respective parties approve the changes are warranted,they may be approved in writing. Commission Comments: Fisher: "If alternative anchors are submitted to me and approved they may be used." Fisher: "Two inch letting that says `Shellfish Aquaculture' and D.E.P. /Town grant number." York: "Can we use sully sticks/winter sticks year round with 2 inch lettering?" Fisher: "People may think that is a channel marker or obstacle marker." York: "We will also be removing the right to scallop inside a licensed aquaculture area from the shellfish regulations." Public Comments: Cook: "Can we use helical screw anchors?" Ronhock: "What lettering should we be using? What should be on the winter sticks and marker balls?" 4.14 Transplanting seed stock from public fisheries prohibited: No person shall transplant seed, seed stock, or any stock from the public fisheries within the Town of Mashpee for purposes of stocking the licensed aquaculture area with such seed or stock. Said regulation is subject to fine or suspension of operation for noncompliance of the original aquaculture license. Commission Comments:No comment. 4.15 Gear Responsibility: The license holder assumes all liability for all gear used on the licensed area. The shellfish aquaculture license holders is responsible for any gear that washes away from the licensed site and shall remove such gear as soon as possible. If gear impeded navigation,the Harbormaster may remove it at the owner's expense. Every licensee shall permanently mark, in a conspicuous place, each shellfish container (bag, cage,tray etc.)used on the licensed site with the licensee's issued color coded tie by the shellfish constable with license number imprinted. Licensee is responsible for purchasing such ties and tagging each individual piece of gear. Commission Comments: York: "An adhesive band that you can imprint would work. We have used them in the past. The tag should just have the grant number issued by the town." Fisher: "I believe that we should also include the last name of the grant holder." York: "That is a lot to put on a tag. What if the grant holder has to make 10,000 pieces of gear?That is too much to put on a tag." Fisher: "I wouldn't be opposed to using a color coding for each grant holder. I can assign them to the current grant holders and any new approved grant holder" Public Comments: Cook: "We should just use color coding instead of imprinting anything." Ronhock: "It would be easier to use color coding-There isn't that many grants in town."