09/09/2024 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 Select Board Minutes eptombr 9, 2024 APPOINTMEN'rs & HEARINGS .... l . � f the Southern thr Portion rent k�u�nbin e�rnrr� ��p��o�s ... �,, ssrfr��t�norr..p. �. .. .. .. The wReclassification will„d esigL iarp this Area as both eOCo��r mercial �u��.Farni Sh 11_ s�i,n Shellfish Constable Chris )her vis... Shellfish Constable Christoohier Avis: pmmp. In ou t e Portion of the er or :...Gr at Riv .. �aznilv...Shell fishing a. Discussion and �nrov4➢ ��"lcl�ss,lnc�rtucnru of`t Area. TheReclassification will_t rr�ut thisAreanwas both rr_.: ercial and 1-0�r ,rl� l�nel11fis��.np .r The Select Board opened the Public Baring to discuss the proposed reclassification of the southern portion.of the Great:River Family Shell Fishing Area. The reclassification would designate this area as both coirrurraerci l and faarrnily shell fishing to allow for the removal. of existing stock to create a more favorable ale enviruunr nerut for the rof:h of smaller shellfish seed. Christopher- Avis, Sl ellf'ish Constable was in attendance with members of the Shellfish Cornmission to review the proposed reclassification. Mr. Avis indicated this proposal was brought to the attention of"tl.e Shellli s'h Commission by one of the members at their July meeting. 'p`he current fw rnily shell fishing area is seeded by the Shellfish Department, ent cash year to dive the p .lly permit holders an opportunity to shellfish away frorn°r corrnru°uerciaul shell fishery n.err. It is estimated the Shellfist.1 Department seeds 800,000 quahogs per year at this site. However,the area, his limited digging due to dif"licLd ies in accessing the area located within.Great,River south of the South Cape Beach association beach.. It was noted the family shell fishing area erncorrrpausses the: entire length ofthe area including,au spot north of the association beach. There are also existing corrnrruereiaul shell fishing ,sites around this location. Mr. Avis indicated there is as need to haary e st.the larger stock of quahogs to allow the new seed to grow. Thugs, creating the need for assistance f.rorn the commercial shell fisherrnern to dig and transport the larger er stock of quahogs out.of this area. At present, only Maslnpee cotnirrrerciaal shell fishermen would be allowed to access this area. Currently, there are 1.5 permitted commercial license holders„ For source, this is ua,prar°t-time job., For others, it is a fall-time livelihood" Of the five Shellfish Cornrnission members,two arelicensed commercial l fishermen. .1 larvesting shellfish is a necessary component to improve water quality. Discussion followed regarding the proposal and if it would be determined as a permanent solution. For&.1nily permit holders,the largest obstacle is access„ The Shellfish.Department was tnoted to evaluate the shellfish area constantly, and it is possible the ar:rea would revert to llaarnrrfly recreation only. assassixrer:ut includes searching the bottom areas to estimate the rrautuu.raul set of propaa autiion. Waters are also tested and monitored on, ar freupuae nt basis., It was rioted that an area if uuurdistrurbed wou:ld:resuuIt lra a bard, solid bottorua with poor water qua]i ty an no harvest. 4