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Maine Lobster Zone F Council Meeting Minutes February 2, 2006

Lobster Zone F Council Meeting
Yarmouth Town Hall
February 2, 2006 – 7:00 p.m.

Present: Gary Hawkes, Elliott Thomas, David Merryman, Eric Anderson, Donald Ulrickson, Lt. Jon Cornish, David Barry, Sgt. Paul Joyce, Carl Wilson, Lynda Doughty, Jon Carter, Annette Higgins, Adam Ulrickson, Jodie M. Jordan, John Butler, Frank Strout, Dean Wintle, Bill Doane, Lyman Kennedy, Paul Fischer, Skip Farrin, Dana McIntire, Jim Doughty, Raymond Gilliam, Jeffrey Adams, Michael Wintle and David Johnson.

Call to Order

Gary Hawkes called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the November 3, 2005 meeting were approved as written.

The CAT

Representatives from the CAT - Annette Higgins and Donald Cormier - were present at our request to discuss the effects of the CAT coming to Portland. Jon Carter (Zone B chair), from Bar Harbor, also attended to relay the Bar Harbor experience to us. It appears that we will see little change from the Scotia Prince in the route the CAT will be taking. The CAT will be making security calls at 15 minute intervals when approaching Portland. They will be entering the harbor at a slightly faster speed than the Scotia Prince. Bar Harbor fishermen have seen little gear loss as the CAT keeps on the same route. It tends to suck the buoys off the spindles rather than chewing them up.

Reports and Updates

Lobster Advisory Council Update:

Elliott Thomas presented a brief summary of the September 21, 2005 LAC meeting.

Bob Baines was elected the new chairman.

Col. Fessenden discussed the ongoing gear conflict meetings and described the charts of the coast showing the towed areas. The meetings will continue along the coast.

Carl Wilson gave a presentation on the stock assessment. The assessment will be going away from F10 and be based on the health of the lobster population and effort.

George Lapointe discussed the latest on the effort discussions. There has been a conscious effort to allow student access into the industry. The DMR will be meeting with the MRC, and a decision on what to bring to the MRC needs to be made.

Three regulations went through have been through public hearing: the definition of rigged for fishing, Medical Waiver wording changes to bring state statutes in line with federal regulations, and reduction of logbook approval to 30 days.

The following are going to public hearing: Zone F exit ratio change from 3:1 to 5:1 (Dec 19) and reducing wet storage from 30 to 14 days during shrimp season (Dec 20).

The whale rules should be available during early 2006.

Col. Fessenden reminded that federal permit holders keep their vessel operator permits current. There are 4 new MPOs, one of whom will be coming to Portland.

Two items are in the Legislature: elimination of the property tax on traps and a change in the appointment process for members of the Commercial Fishing Safety Council, as well as allowing the Commissioner to adopt recommendations of the Commercial Fishing Safety Council.

Marine Patrol Update:

Jon Cornish discussed the 14 day rule proposal. The Marine Patrol is now checking gear for 30 day soak time, mostly on calls from fishermen. They want to hear about breakdowns, etc. which will delay the hauling of traps.

There may soon be a rule coming that will require different buoy colors for family members fishing the same colors.

Double tagging in Zone G is going to rulemaking soon. Zone F fishermen will need to buy removable tags (about $.10) to fish in Zone G.

Other:

Dredging is taking place by Portland Pipeline to finish what was started last year. No notification was given.

Dredge spoils from Portsmouth are proposed to be dumped at the Cape Elizabeth dump site.

A draft decision not to proceed has been written for the Hope Island mussel farm proposal as of January 25. This is now in the 10 day comment period.

Results of Questionnaire

The results of the questionnaire sent out to Zone F lobster fishermen were discussed. The three items on the ballot were: A) to increase the apprenticeship program to 5 years, B) the apprenticeship program be completed in the zone, and C) the person signing off on the apprenticeship must have had his/her license for 5 years.

A motion was made by Elliott Thomas and seconded by David Johnson to put items B and C on the ballot. The motion was passed on a unanimous vote.

Stock Assessment

Carl Wilson gave a presentation on the results of the stock assessment. He also briefly described the results on the Monhegan study.

Effort Discussion

David Etnier presented information on a questionnaire that Zone D sent out requesting that the fishermen in the zone let them know how their Zone Council should proceed on effort reduction. After a brief review, the Zone F council decided not to send it out at the present time. Five items are on the books for discussion - mandatory safety course for apprenticeship program, tags rather then licenses as the currency, students in the exit ratio (?), tiered licenses, and 600 traps for new entrants.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on either April 6 or 13 depending on availability of the meeting room.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted
Elliott Thomas
Secretary

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