11/12/2025 SHELLFISH COMMISSION Minutes (2)

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�04%k1M { Town of Mashpee Shellfish Commission : z 16 Great Neck Road North Mashpee,MA 02649 including the certification by the director that the project will not adversely affect local resources). The term "heritable"was discussed in depth, and the Committee confirmed that it will apply in situations where a licensee voluntarily steps back—whether for retirement, health reasons, or workload changes, etc. —and wishes to pass the grant to an immediate family member. The term "transferable upon death" will apply when a family member assumes the operation after the licensee's passing. The Committee made clear that outgoing licensees cannot designate unrelated individuals in a way that would bypass the waiting list or eligibility system. If no immediate family member wishes to continue the operation, the license will revert to the Town for reassignment through the standard public hearing, eligibility review, and waiting-list process. Constable Avis read the following into the record from the Town of Mashpee Shellfish Regulations (Commercial/Aquaculture): 145.1.9.4 Exclusivity of License;Subleasing Prohibited; Transfer of License: Licenses are issued to and for the exclusive use of the licensee, who may contract with or employ others to workfor the licensee. Subleasing of the licensed area or portion thereof is prohibited. Licenses are renewable, heritable, and transferable upon death to immediate family members, subject to the Select Board's written approval and pursuant to applicable provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 130. Once a licensee deems the license not applicable for the aquaculture enterprise, retires, health or any other reason, the license reverts to the town. The Committee then revisited the eel regulation language, which previously contained contradictory language between two sections: one stating that eels "may be taken by pots only," (page 7 of the Commercial Regulations) and another authorizing spearing and angling. After discussion, the Committee agreed to remove the word "only." The earlier vote to reduce permitted eel pots from ten to three, with a weekly limit of 25 eels, remains unchanged. There was additional discussion about whether eel pots should have a maximum length, but because all pots must already be reviewed and approved by the Harbormaster and Shellfish Department, the Committee decided not to impose an additional dimensional restriction. Next, the Committee clarified the Town's non-resident weekly permit fee, confirming that the fee is $30 per week, correcting a previous misstatement that referenced$35 for two weeks. Constable Avis noted that this is consistent with other regional coastal municipalities. The Committee acknowledged that modest fee increases may be needed in future years, emphasizing that Mashpee's propagation program is resource-intensive and provides residents with unusually strong access to shellfish, including seven-day- a-week harvesting and consistently high stocking levels. Members discussed how to clearly communicate these points at the upcoming Select Board public hearing. The Committee also confirmed that all references to "Board of Selectmen"will be updated to "Select Board" throughout the regulations. Members discussed offering waterproof permit holders with clips to improve enforcement visibility; Constable Avis will explore budget options or donation opportunities with the Town Clerk. All proposed edits, including terminology changes, eel-rule adjustments, updated 2