DEPT. OF MARINE RESOURCES

• About DMR
• Aquaculture
• Aquarium, Library, Lighthouse, Education
• Commercial Fisheries
• Councils, Other Groups
• Health & Safety: Is it Safe to Eat/Swim/Fish?
• Laws and Regulations
• Licenses
• Marine Patrol
• Meetings and Hearings
• Municipal Shellfish
• Recreational Fishing
• Research and Surveys
• Species Info (lobsters, clams, whales, etc.)
• Weather, Tides, Sunrise, Environmental Data
• Wetlands, Permit Review

Maine Lobster Zone A Council Meeting Minutes, June 29, 2006

The meeting took place with the following members present: Chris Urquhart, Oscar Look, Dennis Sargent Sr., John Drouin, Eric Beal, Bill Prescott, Glenn Beal, Ken Dennison and Laura Ludwig, GOMLF. The following DMR staff members were present: David Etnier, Sarah Cotnoir, Carl Wilson, Steve Robbins and Sgt. Jay Carroll.

Agenda
1. Introduction
J. Drouin – Called the meeting to order

2. Approval of minutes
Minutes were approved with a correction on page 2, 2500 not 25,000.

3. Reports and Updates
a. Lobster Advisory Council
John Drouin reported on the LAC meeting.

b. DMR Update

Sarah Cotnoir is new liaison, formerly Terry Stockwell’s position. Erin Estrada hired as Whale Specialist. David Etnier reported on double tagging. Steve Robbins, Gear Specialist reported on whale issues, low profile rope research, possible ban on poly float rope by 2008. Steve asked for fishermen to cooperate and get involved to help with the program. Sarah Cotnoir notified the council that an endline questionnaire will be mailed to permit holders and council members. The questionnaire will provide information about fishing gear, endline and seasons.

c. District Representative Reports

District 1- slow, high bait prices, no shedders
District 2- no consistency on trawl numbers, some griping on ventless traps.
District 3, 4, 5- slow, high expense
District 6- usual
District 7- as usual, most of the traps are in
District 8- down compared to 2005

4. New Business
Laura Ludwig- GOMLF
There is a two million dollar grant from the feds for rope buyback in Western Maine. A survey will be done to determine the level of interest in Eastern Maine.

Bill asked about the lack of enforcement, why are there more rules if there is a lack of Wardens.

Eric Beal asked where the money from the 1970’s went that was dedicated for Wardens. DMR staff from that period were not at this meeting to answer.
David Etnier spoke about the current budget – Marine Patrol boats were purchased with joint enforcement money and that the tag increase money went to fund Carl Wilson’s position with the Department.

Carl Wilson talked about his Ventless Trap Study program which started out as a volunteer stock survey. The program is consistent from Cutler to the west with 475 traps distributed throughout the State. Carl considers the program very successful.

J. Drouin commented that the information on the Ventless Trap Survey did not get out well enough and there were a lot of surprises in some areas and asked if DMR could get the word out better next season.

5. Old Business

Effort Discussion- J. Drouin stated that the replacement tag policy is not going to change. Zone D has had many discussions about student licenses, latent lobster licenses, the age requirement for student licenses, owner operator requirement.

There was discussion on 3:1 exit ratio, should licenses with less than 300 tags be considered in the exit ratio? The sentiment ran against changing the rule. John wondered why Zone A has limited entry. If we were so reluctant to continue to limit effort and now there will be more and more every year, why should we wait until we’re saturated?
There was discussion on a Tiered Lobster License - another opportunity to limit effort.

6. Open Discussion

Some options exist that the council could bring to vote: (1) Increase the length of time an apprentice must be enrolled in the apprentice program up to a maximum of 5 years. (2) Require a sponsor of an apprentice to have held a Class I, Class II or Class III lobster and crab fishing license for at least 5 years. (3) Require that an apprentice may enter Zone A only if the apprentice apprenticed in Zone A.
Inquiry was made if the district list could be mailed with the license renewal applications.
Include on the next agenda to discuss apprenticing in Zone A to get a Zone A license.

 

Motion was made to adjourn. Meeting adjourned.

Maine.gov | DMR Home | Site Policies