Cobscook Bay Rockweed Management Area - Announcement by E-mail, May 19, 2009

From: Etnier, David
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 5:01 PM
Subject: Committee Amendment to LD 345

Seaweed Industry members:

Attached is the Committee Amendment to LD 345: An Act to Regulate the Rockweed Harvest in Cobscook Bay. This was passed by the the Marine Resources Committee earlier this month and is on its way to passage by the full Legislature. As you will see it is written as an Emergency and hence will go into effect as soon as the Governor signs it.

The purpose of this email is to give a heads up to anyone who wishes to harvest rockweed in Cobscook this year and also to those who meet the attached definition of "Seaweed Buyer". There is also a provision for Department rule-making to implement a surcharge on seaweed landings not to exceed $5/wet ton - this will take the normal rule-making route and we will be looking for your input on what the amount should be.

Folks who wish to harvest rockweed in Cobscook this year will need to meet the various provisions of this law prior to doing so. Folks who meet the definition of Seaweed Buyer will need to obtain that license as soon as practicable after this becomes law. The Department will keep you posted regarding the status of this legislation but I anticipate it will pass as written within a few weeks.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Please share as you see fit - I don't have emails for all who might want to be involved in this discussion.

David

[David Etnier, DMR Deputy Commissioner]

[Amended LD 345: An Act to Regulate the Rockweed Harvest in Cobscook Bay]

DEPT. OF MARINE RESOURCES

Cobscook Bay Rockweed Management Area - Announcement by E-mail, May 19, 2009