07/08/2025 SHELLFISH COMMISSION Minutes

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the Shellfish Restoration Project, which has been a significant focus of the department's long- term environmental stewardship efforts. He announced that the project has officially obtained its Chapter 91 license, a critical milestone in the regulatory approval process. This license represents the final substantial administrative hurdle required before implementation can move forward, with the only remaining steps being the formal recording of the license and its submission to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for their final review and acknowledgment. Assuming these final procedural tasks are completed without delay or complication, the department is positioned to begin the placement of cult shell as early as October or November of 2025. However, the Shellfish Constable noted that, given the department's already demanding schedule during the fall months—which includes active harvests, ongoing field operations, and seasonal maintenance—he would prefer to initiate cult shell deployment slightly later, ideally targeting December 2025 or January 2026. This adjusted timeline would allow staff to better allocate resources and focus attention on the restoration activities without compromising other core responsibilities. The Shellfish Constable also emphasized the importance of community engagement and volunteer participation in this next phase of the project. He anticipates that assistance will be needed during the deployment process,particularly in the area off Hamblin Pond, where hands- on labor will be essential to the proper placement and dispersal of cult shell to maximize habitat development and oyster recruitment. He encouraged members of the committee and local residents to consider volunteering, underscoring the value of community involvement in ensuring the project's success. Of particular note, he expressed strong enthusiasm about the project's growing partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), which he described as a major milestone for both the department and the broader environmental community. For the first time, TNC will be fully funding the restoration initiative, providing not only financial support but also technical expertise and long-term vision. This grant funding secures a more stable and sustainable foundation for the project, reducing financial uncertainty and enabling the department to focus more fully on ecological outcomes. He concluded by sharing that TNC has expressed a clear interest in expanding oyster restoration efforts throughout the broader Seabrook region. Their current focus is on establishing self- sustaining oyster beds that can naturally reproduce and maintain healthy population levels without ongoing human intervention. This approach reflects a broader shift in restoration philosophy—one that emphasizes resilience, long-term ecosystem recovery, and the restoration of natural processes. The Shellfish Constable conveyed optimism about the potential for these collaborative efforts to yield meaningful environmental benefits for years to come. Enforcement and Public Interaction The Shellfish Constable reported strong compliance from the public during the current shell fishing season. Staff members are present around low tides, typically an hour before and after, at both open and closed sites. There have been no formal infractions. One incident involved a shell fisherman mistakenly harvesting two pecks of quahogs rather than the allowed one,but he complied immediately following a verbal warning. 4