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<br />SHELLFISH COMMISSION <br />MEETING MINUTES <br />AUGUST 13, 2024 – 6:00PM <br />MASHPEE TOWN HALL – 16 GREAT NECK ROAD NORTH <br />WAQUOIT MEETING ROOM <br /> <br />PRESENT: Chair, Peter Thomas, Co-Chair, Dick Cook, Shellfish Constable, Chris Avis, <br /> Bill Holmes, Dwight Pfundstein, Buddy Pocknett (arrived at 6:10) <br /> <br />OTHER ATTENDEES: N/A <br /> <br />ABSENT: Darryl Christensen, Jaime Pachico <br /> <br />CALL MEETING TO ORDER: Chair Thomas called the meeting to order in Open Session in the <br />Waquoit Meeting Room at 6:00PM. <br /> <br />PUBLIC COMMENT: None at this time. <br /> <br />MINUTES: Discussion and approval of the July 9, 2024 Shellfish Commission Meeting minutes. <br />This item was tabled due to the Commission not having a Quorum to vote. <br /> <br />COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE: None at this Time. <br /> <br />OLD BUSINESS: <br /> <br />1. Shell Fishing in Great River/Callie’s Beach Areas: Continued Discussion of Commercial vs. <br />Recreational use in these 2 areas. <br />At the request of the Commission at their last meeting, Chis Avis provided a map depicting the specific <br />areas being proposed. <br />Chris explained that the green areas on the map depict the family areas in the Waquoit Bay watershed <br />where there is currently no commercial shell fishing allowed. He proposed making an area depicted in <br />orange on the map, in the Great River a commercial shell fishing area. He explained that although it <br />would be designated as a commercial shell fishing area, recreational shell fishing is allowed in that area as <br />well. <br />It’s also being proposed that the shell fishing area at the end of Will’s Work Road at Callie’s Beach <br />become a family shell fishing area (no commercial shell fishing allowed). <br />Chair Thomas stated that there are a lot of large quahogs in the proposed area of the Great River that <br />should be thinned out, noting also that it’s difficult for people that are recreational shell fishing in that <br />area to transverse along the beach and get down below the high watermark. He stated that recreational <br />people are not losing anything and, in fact, are gaining more shell fishing area. Chair Thomas went on to <br />state that this proposal also gives the commercial fishermen an opportunity to go out and thin out an area <br />that desperately needs it. <br />Chair Thomas said the Will’s Work Road is a challenge but is accessible by boat and can be assessed by <br />vehicle if people take their time. <br />Chris Avis stated that he doesn’t see a lot of commercial shell fishing going on in the area of Callie’s <br />Beach. He said that area is currently able to be fished by both commercial and recreational people. <br />Co-Chair Cook stated that he thinks the first cove on the left at the end of Town Landing Road (depicted <br />in green) should remain a recreational area. Chris Avis agreed stating that the area would end at the <br />private boat lift. <br />Buddy Pocknett said that the area being proposed as an open area in Great River has been getting <br />overlooked for a number of years and is loaded with quahogs. <br />1 <br /> <br /> <br />