Maine Lobster Zone C Council Meeting Minutes, January 27, 2005

Lobster Zone C Council Meeting
Deer Isle Town Hall
January 27, 2005
3:00 p.m.

Over 100 people at meeting

Did not have a quorum – Mike Sherman, Glenn Billings, David Tarr, Robert Ray & Mike Grindle. Some were absent due to Ice – Dan MacDonald & Nathan Jones absent

No voting due to lack of a quorum

Handouts from Terry Stockwell – Bylaws, Bills Index & Questionnaire

Terry gave LAC report:

Mostly talked about artificial bait. Waiting for rules still

Terry talked about a Bay Management meeting scheduled for Feb. 3rd.

Dredge hearings are going to be scheduled for next month.

Open business – most supported raising money for Stonington hatchery project

Effort

Had some discussion regarding the questionnaire. Could not vote on it – no quorum.

Commissioner Lapointe is going to all the zone councils to discuss lobster effort. It is known that people are buying tags to keep them and that not all tags purchased are fished. People are concerned with a possible trap reduction, which is why so many people attended today’s meeting.

Mentioned that licenses have decreased since 1998, but the percentages of tags have gone up 21%. Predict that if the rate keeps going, there will be 4.8 million tags in the next 3 years.

We asked for a show of hands about limited entry – Zone C council continues to deliberate limited entry issues and requests Zone C fishermen input.

Vote on bylaws & questionnaire at next meeting.

4:00

DEPT. OF MARINE RESOURCES

Maine Lobster Zone C Council Meeting Minutes, January 27, 2005