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�04%k1M { <br /> Town of Mashpee Shellfish Commission <br /> : z 16 Great Neck Road North <br /> Mashpee,MA 02649 <br /> and reflected a lack of respect for the Town's aquaculture culture, the Commission, local aquaculture <br /> operators, and the established permitting process. <br /> Mr. Tomaino acknowledged that the Commission Chair should have been notified that a significant <br /> incident had occurred, even if details could not yet be disclosed because of the ongoing investigation. Mr. <br /> Tomaino stated that a courtesy notification should have been provided and accepted responsibility for <br /> that oversight. He stated that, moving forward, the Chair would be advised when major incidents of a <br /> similar nature arise, even if details could not yet be publicly discussed. <br /> Discussion concluded with comments regarding the distinction between minor violations, for which <br /> enforcement discretion may be appropriate, and significant violations such as those involved in the <br /> Quiterio matter. Members noted that while discretion may be appropriate for minor administrative <br /> oversights, such as missing tags or equipment issues that can be immediately corrected, the violations <br /> discussed in this matter were viewed as substantially more serious and warranted a different level of <br /> review and consideration. <br /> NEW BUSINESS: <br /> Shellfish Constable's Report <br /> Little River <br /> Mr. Avis reported that the Division spent the month refloating remaining sunken gear and repositioning <br /> equipment to sites in Jehu Pond, Hamblin Pond, and the Mashpee River. All bags had been removed <br /> from cages except for one remaining string in the Mashpee River, and all sites are marked with yellow <br /> aquaculture buoys. <br /> Staff spent much of the month tumbling and culling nursery stock at the Great River site,processing <br /> approximately 1,000 bags while cleaning cages, replacing closures, and preparing gear for the season. <br /> Some mortality was observed in cages located closer to the marsh. <br /> Oyster seed recovered from previously sunken gear in Jehu Pond and Hamblin Pond was transferred to <br /> the oyster restoration project in Indian Pond. Approximately 60,000 to 65,000 oysters were relocated, <br /> with additional transfers anticipated. <br /> Upwellers, Flupsies, and Seed Deliveries <br /> Upweller tanks were cleaned and prepared for operation, silos were placed in their designated locations, <br /> and all pumps were operational following the replacement of one pump. Flupsy silos were positioned on <br /> the Little River docks, and docks were cleaned to improve water flow. <br /> While awaiting water service at the Division's new storage facility, staff have been utilizing the Transfer <br /> Station on Mondays and Tuesdays for pumping water and cleaning gear. <br /> Seed deliveries are expected to begin in June, including approximately 1.5 million clam seed from a New <br /> Jersey hatchery. Discussion followed regarding surf clam seed expected through the Dowse Institute <br /> program, including potential planting locations and seeding strategies. <br /> Popponesset Bay/Mashpee River/ Ockway Bay <br /> A string of gear previously located in Shoestring Bay near Poppy Island was refloated and relocated to <br /> the Mashpee River. Staff have also begun removing bags from refloated gear in the Mashpee River. <br /> Enforcement <br /> The Division conducted eighteen (18) enforcement stops during the month, including enforcement <br /> activity involving Mr. Quinterio that was discussed earlier in the meeting. <br /> 4 <br />