Shellfish Committee April 3, 2007

 

 

Present: Lincoln Richardson, Dave Bertran, Donna Curry, Forrest Smith, Ron Aho

 

1.      Approval of Minutes from last meeting - approved

 

2.      Approval of Revised Ordinance – approved

 

3.      Review of Report to the Town Due April 15 – see attached     

 

4.      Committee Appointments and Terms – postponed until next meeting to review and update appointments

 

5.      2007 License Program – because of conservation credits, Forest gets the first opportunity (May 1) to buy commercial license. If not bought on May 1, license will be available to any interest non-resident commercial digger.

 

6.      May Shellfish Digging School – Date set for May 12th at Squam Creek 1 – 2 PM. Dave to work with Michele to advertise.  Licenses will be available beginning on May 1;  professional digger will demonstrate; bring your own tool if you want to try it yourself. Donna to send to Brenda and ask her to put into column.  Ask Brenda to share with Charlotte for (positive) publicity for the committee.

 

7.     Other Items -  Dave to install shellfish license sign before May 1st so residents know it’s time to renew licenses

 

Joe to put notification ad in Wiscasset procedure. Included will be procedure for licensing.

 

Dave to send Ron and Michele final version of revised ordinance for forwarding to DMR.

 

Question for committee – do we want to buy more seedlings this year?   We haven’t sampled any other areas so may be wiser to wait until next year. This year we’ll sample and do some brushing and monitor the flats.

 

Check DMR website for ideas for sharing with folks. Here’s one: http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rm/public_health/clampamphlet.htm

 

Next meeting: May 1, 2007 at  6 PM at the town office

Westport Island Shellfish Committee

 

Your Shellfish Committee has been very productive during the past year.  Under the leadership of David Bertran and through the diligent efforts of Ron Aho, Amy Fitzpatrick and Darcie Couture of the Department of Marine Resources and with input from Jerry Bodmer, we were successful in opening approximately one thousand additional acres of clam flats along the western and southern shores of the island.  This new area extends from   Squam Creek to Brooks Cove.  Two small areas within this terminus still remain closed due to potential pollution problems. 

 

In October 2004, as a conservation measure we closed Squam Creek to harvesting.  This area was reopened in May 2006.  However, because of evidence of over harvesting in May and June of 2006 the committee decided to restrict this area and a small portion of the newly opened area to recreational harvesting only.  This will insure easy access for all residences of Westport Island in obtaining a plate of delicious clams when desired.  In April 2006 under the guidance of Clem Sledge and with the help of other committee members including, Donna Curry, David Bertran, Joe Donohue, Lincoln Richardson as well as commercial Clamber Forest Smith we closed and seeded McCarty Cove.  It will remain closed until it is evidenced that the Clam population has returned to sustainable levels.   Clem Sledge was appointed to the position of Vice Chairman in June; Lincoln Richardson joined the committee in April.  He along with Joe Donohue are patrolling the shores as volunteer Shellfish Wardens.

 

During 2007 the committee plans to look at additional areas along the island shoreline with the intention of improving our clam population.  We are always looking for new committee members who are not afraid to lend their talents and Clam hoes to our continuing efforts.  Anyone interested in joining the committee should contact one of the committee members.

 

Respectfully submitted;

DAVID BERTRAN, Chairman

CLEMENT SLEDGE, Vice Chairman

JOE DONOHUE,  Secratery Warden

JERRY BODMER

DONNA CURRY

MIKE MUCHMORE

LINCOLN RICHARDSON, Warden