Maine Lobster Zone A Council Meeting Minutes, August 26, 2008

Zone A Meeting
Lobster Zone Council
Washington Academy Library
East Machias
August 26, 2008
6:00 p.m.

The meeting took place with the following members present: Chris Urquhart, Ernest Kelley, Sr., Oscar Look Jr., John Drouin, Eric Beal, Dennis Sargent, Sr., Robert Alley, Sr., Kenneth Dennison, Ralph Blackman and Bobby Ingalls. Others present were: Shane Farris, Herbert Smith, Harold Crowley, Mike Murphy II, Tim Peabody, Leland Faulkingham Jr., Donald Engels Jr., Danny Beal, Michael Beal, Dean Crowley, Dana Crowley, Scott Buckfield, Jason Bickford, Thurman Alley, Dwight Carver, Roy Fagone, Ray Alley, Jason Colby, Joshua Beal, Richard Alley, Glen Beal, Sidney Merchant Jr., Leonard Young, Ricky Crowley, Dan Rodgers, Michael Hunt, Jason Follette, Harry Jordan, Joseph Strout, James Robinson, Tim Peterson, Deb Peterson, Robert Alley Jr., Jane Johnson Clifford Johnson III, Cary Carver, Randy Beal, Stephen Berry, Billy Robinson Jr., Chad Eaton, Richard Sawyer, Ben Crocker Sr., Killer Smith, Val Pinkham and Mitchell Beal. The following DMR staff members were present: Commissioner George Lapointe, Carl Wilson Sarah Cotnoir, Lt. Alan Talbot and Mike Conothan Office of Senator Olympia Snowe.

Introduction
J. Drouin – Called the meeting to order. All council members were present and public welcomed.

Change in Bylaws

Section 7 – removal after 3 missed meetings – voted to leave as is. Council voted to not have a nominating committee for election of officers.

Election of Officers

A motion was made and seconded to keep all current elected officers.

Corea Letter – Exit Ratio

Sarah Cotnoir spoke on the rational that in the future we may not get a response; the majority of respondents leaned toward 3:1. Is the zone council system broken, Chair Drouin feels we let the majority down by not going with 5:1. Motion to re-vote by Oscar Look – no second - motion fails.

Lower Limit of Licenses

Discussion on rule in regards to 30% of 1997 lobster licenses – leave alone until we get to original target.

Reports and Updates

Carl Wilson spoke on survey for lobster effort that was sent out in July. The results were broken down by license, district and by number of tags. Looking forward to the Lobster Advisory Council meeting – what concerns should John Drouin bring up – trap limits? Carl says the biological impact is negative until ½ traps removed from the water. J. Drouin said the whale people will ask for more endlines as well as groundlines. Should we look at freezing tags? Should the zone make a choice before it’s legislated by endangered species groups.

Commissioner Lapointe said quota on herring was lowered this year – herring run out (closed 1st week of September until October.) Sarah Cotnior gave an update on rule – shrimp trap buoy making. The lobster trap tag fee increase of ten cents money will be used for whale research. Possible Zone C reconfiguration; predict the island communities will present bill to the legislature/. Reviewed definition on “low profile” - “neutral –buoyant rope”. Discussion on lobster seed fund – money still on account.

Motion was made to adjourn.
Minutes submitted by Oscar Look