Lobster Zone C Council Meeting
Deer Isle Town Hall
April 24, 2007 – 6:30 p.m.

 

Present: Glenn Billings, Dan MacDonald, Robert Ray, Paul Venno, Hilton Turner, Mike Sherman, Vance Bunker, Steve Alley, Jason Day, John Candage, Ted Ames, Sarah Cotnoir, Cullen Wilson, MPO Sgt. Dale Sprowl, MPO Rustin Ames and MPO Jason Berthiaume

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Hilton Turner with an introduction of new council members.

DMR Updates:

Sarah Cotnoir introduced Cullen Wilson as the Department’s new Gear Specialist. Pending Legislation was discussed, LD 1594- Closed Periods for Hauling Lobster, Zone C unanimously opposed. LD 1870 – Monhegan Bill, 5 in favor and 4 abstained. Howard Gray’s bill –An Act of Protect Fishing Families was discussed, all opposed.

Zone C council members talked about alternative bait and bait shortages and felt it was a good ides to have a label requirement for alternative bait. They also thought the manufacturers should have to list the chemicals used to remove hair, since there may be residual traces still on the bait.

The council discussed Sonny Sprague’s proposal about a larger biodegradable panel and it was unanimous to leave it alone until further discussion or data proving the benefits. They were unanimously opposed to having smaller mesh on the bottom of the trap.

Ted Ames asked if anyone in the room or zone council members would send letters to the State Rep.’s, NEFMC, DMR, etc. to consider management for groundfish. The council took a vote and unanimously supported the Zone C council writing a letter to support this groundfish area management.

The Zone C council supported putting an ad in the local newspaper about soliciting money for MLA’s defense fund.

There was a discussion about limiting the entry in to Zone C to send out a draft limited entry questionnaire to zone council members for their review before sending out the questionnaire to Zone C License holders. Council members would like to get a majority vote before sending out the questionnaire.

The next meeting will be held after the whale rules come out.

Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.