October 18, 2007

Minutes: Shellfish Commission

Present: Cecil Amos Doughty, David Miller, Gary Ross, Skipper Dyer, Brother Ross, Leon Hamilton, Claire Ross

Meeting began about 7:10 pm at the Parish Hall

Discussion: 

… Commission needs to decide on how we should structure sale of licenses. 

… We need to forward our plan to Don Card at least 30 days in advance of the sale of shellfish licenses, as he needs to approve them before the Town is allowed to sell licenses.

… Concern was raised about how the spring shellfish survey will affect the Stateís view of our resource and the # of licenses the State will recommend.  Leon: We can decide upon the # of licenses as long as we do not exceed last seasonís number.  (Question to discuss at next meeting: how many 2007 licenses were issued and what portion of those licenses are attributed to Chebeague vs. Cumberland?)

… Cumberland residents must purchase a ìresidentî license from the Town of Chebeague Island in order to dig here.

… Question:  Should we require participation in the shellfish survey for anyone who wants a Commercial Shellfish license?

… Discussion of future planning for conservation areas like Vinalhaven has done.  Decided to consider this after next springís survey.

… There was support for establishing 10 commercial licenses and one non-resident commercial license for 2008.

… There was support for the sale of recreation licenses at one nonresident / 10 resident with no limit, and unlimited day licenses.

… Leon: reviewed the state law that all funds collected for clamming licenses must be expended on clam-related expenses.

… Discussion about allowing ìgrandchildrenî to dig with license holder of day license. No decision made.

… Fee Structure:  

1. Current: Monthly is $10 Resident, $20 non- Resident.
2. Proposed: 
1. Annual  $35 Resident, $70 non-resident
2. Monthly $25 Resident, $50 non-resident
3. Daily - To be decided

… Concern was expressed about education of the recreational diggers and damage done to stock by those digging with shovels.

… Someone wants to sell Clam Hoes.

… Suggested to distribute slices of 2î PVC to license holders as a gauge.

Thanks to Claire Ross for taking these notes in Bobís absence.

Meeting schedule:

1. Next meeting: November 8.
2. Tentative meeting after that on November 15 (to be decided at November 8 meeting).