Maine Lobster Zone G Council Meeting Minutes,
Lobster Zone G Council Meeting
Scarborough Town Hall
February 12, 2009 – 7:00 p.m.
Members present: Jim Henderson, Steve Taylor, Brad Parady, David Provencher, Matt Nowell, Jodie Jordan, Laurin Brooks and Peter Eaton.
Meeting began at 7:15 p.m.
The council could not approve the last meeting minutes-not enough council members for a quorum. There was discussion from the audience about the full-time, part-time category. The tiered system could be based on income from lobster fishery, or tags purchased and landings.
State looks at how many tags are purchased and this number is the potential number of traps on the bottom. Gear specialist, John Higgins, told us that at all whale meetings he has been to the words “trap limit” have never been used.
Humane Society was heard as saying they have already won the ground line issue, and now they’re going after end lines and half of our traps.
Steve Taylor suggested that all the zones tell the DMR and Gov. Baldacci that we are not going to accept more discrimination as the second largest industry in Maine. Sarah made it clear that this is the Marine Mammal Protection Act, (Federal) and there’s really no way around it.
There was a lot of discussion on the “proposed” tiered system and people’s income, whether it be from money invested or a spouse who works. At the LAC level there was nobody for or against a tiered system-as it’s not even law.
Lobster Prom Council new members:
Emily Lane, Dick Gotten and John Jordan
Should we reduce the amount of herring: Can herring caught in Maine waters be regulated and made to be sold in Maine only? In Maine any other trawl boats can only take smelts as by-catch.
Legislature: LD141- NO
LD246- YES
LD378- All opposed on zone council, all opposed in audience (22 people in audience)
Whelks, harvesting of them, will be closed if there is a red tide ban on carnivorous snails.
Call your local warden if a boat breaks down, DMR will work with you, there can’t be an unlicensed person running the boat.
Permission from the Commissioner has to be granted to double tag traps, “Special Commissioner Permit.” For example: A husband and wife want to fish 800 traps from one boat, traps have to be double tagged. This is a proposal.
In Kittery, we want to have our trawls marked on one end so that each trawl is distinguishable from one end to the other. Public hearing in Scarborough, March 19th. Deadline for comments is March 13th unless location is changed.
Bill to be voted on: Salt water fishing license. If we implement our own license, the state will collect the revenue. (Proposed $15.00 resident fee, $30.00 non resident).
Governor’s task force- there are no fishermen or dealers on the force.
Carl Wilson received the money once again to continue his vent less trap survey. A $600,000.00 project.
Jeff Holden- a $25,000.00 study on tomalley.
Governors Task Force Meetings – Feb 26th, in Portland and March 19th in Ellsworth
DMR has potentially 3 position cuts in the department.
2010 Lobster License Fee will increase by 15%
Jim will inform LAC that we don’t want to fund science by increasing license and tag fees. Jim will stay on the tiered license committee.
John Higgins – Ground-line is only the line that the gangions are tied to. Groundline is not gangion or trap bridles.
No neutrally buoyant line after April 5th.
LCMT – Control date establishment on Federal Permits for Area 1. Will not need to prove history on your permit.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00PM.
