Maine Lobster Zone D Council Meeting Minutes
Lobster Zone D Council Meeting
January 17, 2008
Rockland Ferry Terminal
6:30 PM
Present: Joe Bates, Jason Hooper, Rep. Dave Miramant, Wayne Canning, Mike Hutchings, Jim Wotton, Gerry Cushman, Michael Dawson, Dan Staples, Gilbert Collamore Sr., David Reed, Jason Witham, Doug McLennan and Kevin Glover.
Others Present: Commissioner George Lapointe, Marine Patrol Officer Brian Tolman, Sarah Cotnoir, Donna Hall, Jeni Menendez, Kevin Benner and Dan Miller
The meeting was called to order at 6:40 by Zone D Chairman Michael Dawson.
Motion: (G. Cushman) To accept minutes. (Unanimous in favor)
Delegate Reports:
Lobster Advisory Council
The LAC talked a little about new artificial bait. There was also some talk about the seed lobster program. The shrimping season was also another topic that was talked about. The hearing quota was also discussed. It is going to be dropping 5,000 metric tons, which will make it 45,000 metric tons. They were also looking at spawning area closures.
DMR Updates:
Zone C limited entry might be coming up. Licenses and fees make up about 1/6 of the general fund, so we should be paying attention to how the state uses out money and where it goes.
New Business:
Whales
The sink line mandate is going to go into affect October 2008. Mike Dawson suggested looking at areas west of Monhegan. Sarah discussed and explained the charts and handouts that were given out. She said that the state has been working hard to try to figure out what things will work the best for everyone. Someone will be affected by this, but they are taking the information they have and trying to make the best of it. The $0.10 cent tag increase that we had is going to monitor the whales. Along with other types of whale reporting that will be done. A question was asked if we are going to have to switch over out rope by October 2008. Yes you will, but hopefully it can be changed or pushed back.
Discussion on Limited Entry
Sarah explained the limited entry survey to us. We discussed all of the different ratios and how a 2-1 tag ratio was similar to our 5-1 license ratio. We discussed the survey and decided on a few changes to be made. So the changes are going to be made and then sent out to the committee members to accept the draft through the mail. Then once accepted they will be sent out to all fishermen.
The next meeting has been scheduled for March 18, 2008.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.
