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�04%k1M { <br /> Town of Mashpee Shellfish Commission <br /> : z 16 Great Neck Road North <br /> Mashpee,MA 02649 <br /> SHELLFISH COMMISSION <br /> MEETING MINUTES <br /> DECEMBER 9, 2025—6:OOPM <br /> MASHPEE TOWN HALL— 16 GREAT NECK ROAD NORTH <br /> WAQUOIT MEETING ROOM <br /> PRESENT: Chair, Peter Thomas, Shellfish Constable, Chris Avis, Natural Resource Officer, Tyler <br /> Grady, Darryl Christensen and Dwight Pfundstein <br /> ABSENT: Bill Holmes, Richard Cook, Buddy Pocknett and Jamie Pachico <br /> CALL MEETING TO ORDER: Chair Thomas called the meeting to order in Open Session in the <br /> Waquoit Meeting Room at 6:OOPM. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT: None at this time. <br /> MINUTES: Discussion and approval of November 12, 2025, Shellfish Commission Meeting minutes. <br /> MOTION: To approve and accept November 12, 2025, minutes. <br /> Motion by: Darryl Christensen Seconded by: Chris Avis <br /> Vote: The Motion passed unanimously. <br /> COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE: <br /> None. <br /> OLD BUSINESS: <br /> 1. Propagation <br /> Tyler Grady, Natural Resource Officer,provided an overview of the Town's shellfish propagation program <br /> and inventory tracking practices. The Department maintains an Excel-based tracking system documenting <br /> daily movement of shellfish seed, including receipt,handling, grow-out methods, gear transfers, and <br /> deployment locations. Given the volume of seed and multiple propagation systems in useupwellers, flupsy <br /> units, floating gear, and grow-out gear—the system is essential for program management. The spreadsheet <br /> functions as a working document with internal notes and is available for review as needed. <br /> Approximately 3.5 million quahog seed were received this year, consistent with recent annual targets and <br /> within operational capacity. While slightly above the typical 3 million target, the additional volume did not <br /> negatively impact propagation. Prior years with higher volumes presented challenges,but current practices <br /> have improved efficiency and capacity. <br /> Approximately 400,000 oysters were received from multiple hatcheries, including local and out-of-state <br /> suppliers (Cape Cod Oyster, Dan Ward, and Merrymeeting Shellfish Company). This diversified sourcing <br /> allowed product evaluation and increased flexibility. Total oyster inventory at the start of the year was <br /> approximately 4 million,which was identified as the upper limit given available gear and staffing. Future <br /> oyster intake will be reduced, with winter fishery removals used to guide stocking levels while continuing to <br /> support nitrogen mitigation goals. <br /> Propagation focused on floating gear and upper estuary sites, including Jehu Pond and Hamblin Pond, with <br /> continued use of established sites such as the Mashpee River and Shoestring Bay. New oyster grow-out cages <br /> were purchased, and deployment was standardized at approximately 36 cages per site, improving efficiency <br /> and site management. <br /> 1 <br />