Maine Lobster Zone G Council Meeting Minutes,
Lobster Zone G Council Meeting
York Village Fire Department
1/12/10
Mtg. Began @ 7:00 PM
Laura Ludwig – Ghost Gear
LAC: Sarah Cotnoir – Herring fishery – how the process of uses of herring, menhaden works
Wet Storage: fines imposed – Habitual offenders, should fines be increased, loss of license? Gear is confiscated that is in “wet storage” present fine is $250 – plus court costs. Fines can be negotiated w/DA. Jim Henderson will go to next LAC mtg. Jan. 28th and suggest increased fines or loss of license.
David Etnier: spoke about juries taking the side of the defendant in court cases of gear molestation. The jurors are finding out that the 3 year loss of license is too hard on the defendant and the state is losing cases.
District Reps: Not much to report – a lot gear coming home, shrimp.
Ghost Gear: DMR is interested to know how effective bio vents are, how old traps are/how long do they last. It’s a 2 yr. project, 1 harbor in every zone – this year it’s Zones A, B and C, and it’s a very small project. There’s a $500 fuel stipend for each day the boat involved is in operation. It’s just 10 people from each harbor will be working on it – there’s no ROV, gear will be dragged (grappled) up and brought to a specified dock.
Legislation: 4 Bills coming to legislature:
LD 1560 An act to eliminate 3 trap trawl in Hancock County.
LD 1584 Requires Marine Resources dealers purchase only from Licensed Harvesters.
LD 1593 Act to amend lobster meat laws – Lobster meat license is being replaced by Lobster Processor License. Authorize processing of meat for sales.
Cond. A – Processed at fixed place.
Cond. B – Legal size
Cond. C – Containers must be clearly labeled w/processors license number
Cond. D – Records maintained at lobster processors place of business
This law will help for the processing of knuckles and claws and “split tails,” as Maine is not allowed to process these as of now.
LD 1604 Provide new rule making authority for commissioner; close an area for up to 2 weeks in an emergency situation. And use emergency rule making to close an area in the event of danger to human life. (Public safety or welfare) Also it may be added that the commissioner will meet with the affected fishermen where emergency rule making took place within 48 hours.
Saltwater Fishing License: Bill 1331 (Hopefully monies will stay in Maine instead of going to D.C. where we have no control of it.)
No Cost Registry: Bill ?? Feds require registration of anyone fishing recreationally (Free for 2010)
For: 11 Against: 1
Budget: 950,000 – cut to DMR. (10% to mileage driven by MPO’s)
Part DDD: Potentially merge 4 resource agencies
Bait: Will 1 day off per week to help reduce bait costs? 1 or 2 days off per week will help dealer’s empty tanks and keep the best price up. If anything is done and it’s to help with bait supply, then ALL zones need to be involved. If Legislature sees that all 7 zones agree, then they quite possibly give us what we want.
Tow Boat Traffic:
Meeting Adjourned at 8:50 PM
