Meetings Minutes and
Agendas
COMMERCIAL FISHING SAFETY COUNCIL
APRIL 5, 2005 5 PM
The Department of Marine
Resources (DMR), Commercial Fishing Safety Council (CFSC) meeting was held
on April 5, 2005 at the Department of Human Services, Central Offices,
Conference Room 442 Civic Center Drive, Augusta, Maine. CFSC members
attending this meeting included: L. Blair Pyne, Bob Baines, James
Simonitsch, Philip Rosen, Jim Whitten, Gary Anderson, John McMillan, Vincent
Balzano and Ann Backus and Rob Odlin via conference call. Kevin Plowman
from USCG and Joe Fessenden and John Fetterman from DMR. Linda Trumble –
visitor was also in attendance.
Chairman L. Blair Pyne
called the meeting to order around 5:15 p.m.
1. Introduction of
council.
2. Old Business -
Approval of Minutes
Motion:
(B. Pyne, P. Rosen) Unanimous.
Motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on February 5, 2005, as
written.
3. Review of
Fishermen’s Forum
There was a brief
discussion on the Fishermen’s Forum, regarding the cracker barrel session
and the potential for the safety class for apprentices. In attendance at
the Forum was: L. Blair Pyne, Bob Baines, Jim Simonitsch, Gary Anderson,
Rob Odlin, Carey Gregor, John McMillan, Kris Boehmer, and Yvette Alexander
along with USCG Capt. Steve Garrity & Kevin Plowman. DMR – David Etnier,
moderator, Col. Joe Fessenden and Major John Fetterman. It was the
consensus that the meeting at the Forum went fairly well with around 20 or
so people in attendance. The time of day, and the fact that it was the last
slot of the day, might have been a factor in low attendance, along with the
Council being fairly new and not well known…..yet.
4. Review of Matrix
Meeting
Review of the Federal
Regulations. It was suggested that everyone look over the federal
regulations and see what makes sense and what doesn’t, and forward any feed
back, changes, etc. directly to Cathy Fetterman at
cathy.fetterman@maine.gov. This should be received PRIOR to May
24th – which is the date of the next Matrix Meeting –being held
at the MSO Office at 9 a.m.
Something will need to
be in place to propose to the Commissioner, and the Marine Resources
Advisory Council for their approval. The proposed legislation will need to
be finalized by October 1st. Keep in mind that these
regulations cannot be less restrictive, and that it must stand up to
criticism if we are going to be more restrictive than the USCG.
The goal is to have the
Matrix Committee have a rough draft of something to present to the full
Council at the next meeting on June 16, 2005.
Discussion continued
with the suggestion that survival suits make sense to have as part of this
law, along with the question of boundary line vs. territorial waters, etc.
Miles from land is easier from an enforcement standpoint. Consider listing
the casualties as a part of the direct result in the reason that a change is
needed.
It was also suggested
that we should have a legislator come to one of our meetings. A statement
was made that maybe when we are farther along in the process, and could have
more of a concise document – this might be the time to consider that.
Another selling point for the new safety regulations is that with the
change in the USCG’s role – which has to do more Homeland Security, and it
is now a source of their funding, having Marine Patrol have the ability to
enforce commercial boating safety regulations within State waters would be a
good partnership with the USCG.
John McMillan listed the
priorities for the Committee:
Protection
Detection
Sustenance
Medical
General Health Factory
Gary Anderson suggested
that maybe having public meetings might be helpful. Bob Baines felt it
might be difficult to accomplish.
John Fetterman had
mentioned that the structure of the booklet for federal/state regulations
might be easier if it were broken down by Class of Vessel:
Class A:
Less than 16 feet in length
Class 1: 16 feet to
less than 26 feet in length
Class 2: 26 feet to
less than 40 feet in length
Class 3: 40 feet to
less than 65 feet in length
During the discussing it
was suggested that in looking forward, if these regulations are passed - it
might be beneficial to have courtesy inspections before the Officers enforce
any new regulations. Possibly spend a day at the docks rather than at sea.
There was also
discussion on an upcoming Training day in Jonesport with John McMillan and
USCG later in the month. USCG will be doing damage control training, along
with plugging John McMillan’s safety course at the same time. The USCG
damage control training is free - if you want the drill conductor’s course
it is $150, which is a requirement for federally documented vessels.
Cathy will send to all Zone A Lobster Fishermen.
Also any information
that we should put on our website for safety classes or inspections – should
be sent to Cathy for the DMR website – A new category for safety
classes/inspections could be added with updates on the various dates, times
and locations.
It was also suggested
that we put something in Commercial Fisheries News regarding upcoming
events.
5. Urchin Tending
Classes
John McMillan spoke with
a Marlene and John Dailey – who teach SCUBA classes in Ellsworth.
Phil Rosen spoke of the
problem with having regular instructors teach. Hearing the horror stories,
which are associated with the commercial course, was good for everyone to
hear. The whole commercial aspect of the diving industry is a good idea for
everyone to hear.
Rob Odlin stated that he
could pick 3 or 4 excellent commercial divers – those are the people you
want to teach the course. Need someone with a background in commercial
diving.
John Fetterman stated
that the problem wasn’t finding qualified instructors – it was class
participation and finding ways to pay for the course, instructors, and
instructor’s travel. When you can’t generate more than 2 or 3 people at a
time, cost recovery is important, along with the costs that are incurred.
There were suggestions
on where to hold class without any costs. And once again it was stated it
was the lack of individuals to attend the course that was the problem.
It was suggested that a
subcommittee be formed and bite the bullet and see what we are going to do,
and provide some sort of training for divers and tenders for the next
season. The Commissioner has the authority, by law, to adopt a program that
is recommended by the subcommittee, after being brought forward to the full
council and recommendation made.
John Fetterman and Jim
Whitten stated that the most successful class dates were in December and
January.
Need a minimum of
attendees in order to subsidize class.
Rob Odlin mentioned that
his experience has allowed him to teach the class with the curriculum that
Jim Whitten had given him. He also suggested loosening the restrictions and
making the one-day courses be available three times a year and have the
divers being able to attend a class once a year.
It was decided that a
subcommittee of John Fetterman, Jim Whitten, Phil Rosen, Rob Odlin and John
McMillan, would
meet and discuss. It was suggested that May 24th after
the Matrix Meeting would be the date – At this time May 24th
is the date – a time to be determined later.
6. Legislation
The makeup of the
council was discussed regarding having more commercial fishermen on the
council.
It was requested that
Joe would talk with Sebastian Belle and John Fetterman would speak with
Thomas Pottle about their participation on the Council, and whether they
would like to continue or be removed.
Bob Baines stated that
he would like to see more of a representation from the lobster fishing
industry. He is uncomfortable being the only representative, since the
changes or recommendations made by this council will affect lobster
fishermen the most.
Rob Odlin left the
conference call at 6:50 p.m.
It was stated that we
wanted members on the council that would participate and attend the
meetings.
There were people
willing to be part of this Council like Woody Post and Ted Bear.
It was also discussed as
to whether we should remove the part of the law that requires the Chairman
of the Recreational Advisory Council and the Chairman of the Advisory
Council be ex-officio members.
Vincent Balzano felt it
was probably important to have a representative of the recreational
community be a part of the process, especially when discussing changes to
safety regulations might very well affect them.
Joe will make edits to
the existing law to incorporate adding three additional commercial
fishermen, making the total commercial fishing appointments to the council
at 7 members. Also, take the appointment to the Council by the Governor out
of the process.
7. Bylaws
Discussion on the Bylaws
– it was suggested that they be reviewed by the entire council and
recommendations sent to Cathy prior to the next meeting. Cathy will make
changes and send out to everyone by the next meeting to review and possibly
accept as the Council’s bylaws.
8. Fishing Vessel
Safety Hearings - April 12th – Portland Fish Exchange
It was asked if anyone
from the Council would be attending the Fishing Vessel Safety Hearings on
April 12th. It was undecided as to whether anyone from the
Council would be attending.
Vincent Balzano stated
it was more about fishing regulations rather than fishing safety.
Kevin Plowman said he
would be there and Bob Baines may go down. Bob mentioned that what we are
doing here really doesn’t have anything to do with the Fishing Vessel Safety
Hearings.
9. Notification to
Schools on Commercial Fishing Safety classes offered and also information
about the council.
Discussion on coastal
schools that should receive this information. John McMillan had a
Notification of Training form that could be sent. It was suggested that add
to that by putting something on the form that mentioned that any lobster
apprentice license holders should be aware that there will be a mandatory
safety training program adopted some time in the future. Also add on the
form the number of individuals enrolled in the program. Also ask, if they
do have a program, what was the initial start date – this could be put on
the website too.
Jim Whitten said he
would forward to Cathy all the high schools and vocational schools in the
coastal areas.
10. Information from
John McMillan – From District
John McMillan stated
that there is no training going on in the Gulf of Mexico or Florida. No one
is getting certified or trained. They lose more people in the Gulf. All
eyes are upon us from all the different districts.
11. Updates from
USCG
There were four
terminations off shore for inadequate safety equipment on board.
Reiterating the free
voluntary inspections at the dockside – where USCG will do a crawl through
of the boat. If the sticker is on the boat – the officers will only do
fisheries enforcement. Younger people seem to be more receptive.
The next Commercial
Fishing Safety Council Meeting is scheduled for June 16th at 5
p.m. at the DHS Building in Augusta.
Matrix federal
meeting – May 24th at MSO – 9 a.m. After that meeting the
Diver/Tender Meeting.
Motion to adjourn
at 7:30 p.m.
