Maine Lobster Zone A Council Meeting Minutes, January 30, 2007

Zone A Meeting
Lobster Zone Council
Washington Academy Library
East Machias
January 30, 2007
6:00 p.m.

The meeting took place with the following members present: Chris Urquhart, Oscar Look, Sr., John Drouin, Eric Beal, Ralph Backman and Bobby Ingalls. The following DMR staff members were present: Sarah Cotnoir, MPO David Dent and Carl Wilson.

Introduction
J. Drouin – Called the meeting to order

Approval of minutes
Because there was not a quorum the minutes from the last meeting could not be approved.

Reports and Updates

a. Lobster Advisory Council

b. DMR Update

The final whale rules are not implemented yet. There was a discussion about rope options, the fishermen were encouraged to give more information to the Take Reduction Team. There was a discussion on ghost traps.

c. District Representative Reports

New Business
a. DMR Legislation
The legislative documents were discussed and it is important to attend the public hearings on these bills. A straw poll was taken and the council is against LD 170, LD 92, LD 311, but supported LD 16. The text of the lobster entry bill was not available for their meeting, but the five council members present did not support the idea of a separate waiting list for students.
b. Lobster Management Option Results
Because there was not a quorum the results of the referendum results were not discussed.
c. Science Update
Carl Wilson did a presentation on lobster health and the sea sampling program. He said he saw a decline westward and a gain to the east. Logbooks will be implemented in 2008 with 10% of the fishermen required to report.

Motion was made to adjourn.