meeting summary compiled by nick popoff and melissa smith. …€¦ · meeting summary compiled by...

Meeting Summary Compiled by Nick Popoff and Melissa Smith.

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Scallop Advisory Council Meeting July 18, 2018 in Brewer, ME

DMR staff: Melissa Smith, Nick Popoff, Kevin Kelley, Carl Wilson, Kathleen Reardon, Sgt. Troy Dow, MPO Rustin Ames. SAC members: Paul Cox, Justin Boyce, Alex Todd, Jim Wotton, Tad Miller, Curtis Haycock, Carla Guenther, and Marcus Jones. SAC members not present: George Freeman, James Sulikowski, and Randy Ramsdell. Two seats are vacant: a dealer position and a dive position. Public: Travis Fogg, David Horner, Luke Horner, Brian Soper, Brian Preney, James Ackley, Alice Ackley, Ralph Dennison, Alfred Haycock, and Benjamin Heanssler. Meeting commenced at 4:13pm. Welcome/Introductions Chairman Alex Todd welcomed everyone to the meeting. A. Todd took a moment of silence to acknowledge the absence of longtime Scallop Advisory Council member Andy Mays who held the Zone 2 Diver seat for many years and brought a bounty of experience and thoughtful opinion to the table. Election of Officers M. Smith initiated the elections for Chair and Vice Chair. Nominations were requested for both chair and vice-chair. J Boyce nominated Alex Todd for chair; seconded by M Jones. A. Todd accepted the nomination. Vote: All in favor; motion carries. A Todd nominated Justin Boyce for vice-chair; seconded by C Haycock. J. Boyce accepted the nomination. Vote: All in favor; motion carries. Approval of Minutes (08/10/2017) Motioned by J. Wotton; seconded by T. Miller. Vote: All in favor; motion carries. DMR Updates Review of DMR Scallop Research Priorities: DMR hosted several Research Priority meetings in the early spring to discuss future of management, ecology, assessment for scallops, urchin, alewife, eels, halibut and herring inform future research. Attendance was good and research ideas pertaining to management, ecology and assessment were discussed. These discussions will be compiled into a report that will be released publicly on the DMR website. Review of 2017/2018 Season: This past season saw reduced closures in Zone 1 and Zone 2. Only 1 of the 7 rotational areas in Zone 2 was fully closed prior to the end of the season (Frenchman’s Bay), although other areas had partial conservation closures throughout the season. Cobscook (Zone 3) was closed after 31 days, while the St. Croix River stayed open for several weeks after. The total number of harvesters was: 350 active draggers and 39 divers active. Approximately 631,000 lbs of meat was landed for an estimated value of $6.7 million (data as of 6.30.2018). Additional data on landings by non-commercial participants, disposition of catch and diver landings are included in Appendix D. Zone 2 Spring Scallop Survey Results [Appendix B for slides] Kevin Kelly presented data results on the scallop survey that occurred in mid April 2018. See Appendix B for slides (with updated with size frequency comparisons between 2015 and 2018). Seven rotational areas and Muscle Ridge were assessed during the 2018 Spring survey with 220 stations sampled over 11 vessel days. This was the 2nd time around that these rotational areas have been surveyed (last in 2015). This is the third year of the updated survey methodology using harvester reporting and previous survey data and then refined by input from 4-5 industry members from each area.


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• Machias Bay: 60 tows, good distribution of shell height, good amount to harvest.

• Western Bay: 20 - 22 tows. Low densities relative to survey, good proportion harvestable.

• Gouldsboro Bay/Dyers: 25 tows. Good sizes of harvestable, some potential, some recruitment.

• Blue Hill/Union: 22 tows, not a strong survey, low numbers but big scallops.

• Jericho Bay: 26 tows, low density with a good size distribution and large scallops.

• Eggemoggin: 12 tows, lower densities with large scallops.

• W. Vinalhaven: 34 tows, low biomass, lots of recently recruited scallops.

• Matinicus: 15 tows, high densities of harvestable scallops, not a lot of smaller scallops.

Harvestable biomass across sites shows a bit of variability. The figure showing shell height vs meat weight relationship

indicates differences between Gouldsboro, Vinalhaven, and Machias with Machias having the smallest meat sizes and

Gouldsboro having the largest.

K. Kelly also mentioned that a request for proposals (bids) was posted today to contract vessel services required to complete

the Cobscook bay/St. Croix River survey. Open until Aug. 6th. Contact Kevin ([email protected]) if interested.

Question: 2” rings: how many smaller scallops are recruited to the gear? Targeting 2” and above will get smaller scallops if they

are present.

M. Jones mentioned the presence of a new red algae in Eastport through to Blue Hill Bay that he refers to as “Red Velvet.” It

coats the sea floor, imitating a red velvet carpet.

DMR 2018-19 Season Management Recommendations M. Smith reviewed the DMR recommendations for rulemaking for the SAC to discuss [see Appendix A for slides]. Aside from the draft calendars, this also included a recommendation for season closures of Muscle Ridge, Upper Muscongus and Sheepscot River in Zone 1. It was also noted which areas in Zone 2 had high seed populations based on the Spring Scallop survey and asked if the SAC felt these areas needed seasonal protections. Lastly, there is no longer a specified season for the hand harvest of scallops. However, there still remains the limitation of calendar days open to harvest as specified by zone. SAC 2018-19 Season Management Recommendations [See Appendix C for SAC Calendar Recommendations] Zone 1: An industry proposed dive calendar for the 2018-2019 season included 4 Sundays in the summer, as well as several days in November. These two aspects would be a deviation from the traditional dive calendar from the past few years. Concerns regarding enforcement were brought up, as well as the level of recreational activity that might increase along with a prolonged season. From the perspective of the dive industry, there was interest to see if a market was available for Zone 1 diver scallops outside of the normal December-April season. Additionally, it was an attempt to utilize calendar days that would not overlap with the drag sector. However, Council was hesitant to approve summer days and maintain the “season” as it stands. There was also some concern that a change in the Zone 1 Dive calendar would also indicate changes would then occur with the Zone 2 and Zone 3 calendars. After much debate on the Zone 1 dive calendar, and whether summer days and November days should be included, it was decided to go through and discuss the individual areas (limited access and targeted closures) that needed recommendations within Zone 1 and then resume the conversation regarding calendars. DMR recommended Ocean Point for reopening. Originally it was closed with a sunset clause and hasn’t been discussed recently. The area was closed not only for conservation purposes but also to conduct research. It was ultimately decided that the area could be re-opened if it is no longer needed for research purposes. Jones/ Miller:

Motion: conditional recommendation from SAC to open Ocean Point area based upon discussions with research to determine current and future efforts. Motion passed (7/0/1).

mailto:[email protected]


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Damariscotta was closed last season. After general discussion, the SAC gathered consensus to have it open as a limited access area for the 2018-19 season. Wotton/Jones:

Motion: recommend that Damariscotta River be opened as a limited access area for 1 day per week. Motion passed unanimously.

Muscle Ridge Area was opened for the 2017-18 season for 1 day per week per gear sector. Harvest rates remain medium to low. During the DMR Spring Science Survey, 24 stations in and around Muscle Ridge were assessed and indicated levels of seed, sublegal and legal sized scallop resource. With the upcoming rotational closures including W Vinalhaven, DMR suggested that this would be a suitable year to close Muscle Ridge for one year to estimate recovery while harvesting may occur in other nearby areas. After Council discussion, considering setting a limit on open days vs allowing it as a LAA with the potential to be closed in-season and taking comment from the public, it was determined that Muscle Ridge would become a Limited Access Area and be open on the say day as the other LAAs. It was also recommended that the Scallop Spring Survey revisit Muscle Ridge in the Spring 2019 to determine the effects of LAA harvest. Wotton/Jones

Motion: maintain Muscle Ridge access to 1 day per week, following the limited access calendar similar to Sheepscot and Damariscotta. Motion passed unanimously.

J Wotton reported on the activity that was present in the upper Muscongus Bay area during the 2017-18 season. The area didn’t had low biomass, but was a place to go during poor weather days. There were no reports indicating that the area had seed or sublegal resource either. Thus, the Council did not see any reason to keep the area classified as limited access any longer without any data suggesting otherwise. Wotton/Miller

Motion: to remove upper Muscongus Bay from a limited access closure area to permanently open, Marshall Point west, including both the Medomak and St. George Rivers. Motion passed unanimously

There was public interest to maintain the Sheepscot River Limited Access area and extend the northern boundary up towards Barter’s Island. General discussion at the Council commented that no information was put forth to suggest a closing of the original boundary was needed for this area. The recommendation from the SAC added on the public request to also extend the area northward. Wotton/Miller:

Motion: move to have the Sheepscot River Limited Access area open for the upcoming season, with the open area having a northern boundary starting at Barter’s Island due west. Motion to keep it open passed unanimously.

General comments regarding the calendars included having less drag calendar days in December as there is too much gear to contend with. Additionally, there was a request to revisit the dive calendar topic next season, which will indeed occur as calendars are re-assessed annually. C. Guenther commented on what is the SAC’s goal for the fishery, is it equity of access? Wotton/Guenther:

Motion: for drag calendar, move to accept after amending; remove the first week of four days in December to Thursdays in March. Motion passed unanimously

Jones/Wotton:

Motion: for dive calendar, move to accept after amending; maintain 5 days in November (20, 21, 28, 29, & 30), remove summer calendar days and assign them to March (12, 19, & 26), and include April 1, as well. Motion passes (3/1/4)

Zone 2:


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As discussed for the previous season, there are known areas that have higher concentrations of seed scallops. It was suggested last season that specific seed closures be implemented. However, upon further discussion, it was determined that harvest should persist in these areas to remove legal product. This train of thought will carry over for the upcoming 2018-2019 season, with the understanding that these known seed areas will be monitored closely by DMR: Gouldsboro/Dyer Bay, Western Bay, W. Vinalhaven. Thus, there will be no targeted or limited access areas proposed for Zone 2. J. Boyce commented to keep the Zone 2 drag calendar days consistent; having random Fridays open to harvest makes it difficult to remember open/closed harvest days. DMR draft calendar had 4 day weeks, with two Fridays on the calendar as was the case for the 2017-18 season. M. Smith edit: Note that calendar breaks are necessary to allow for in-season surveys and routine monitoring of the resource to occur effectively. Prior to final draft of the proposed rule, DMR Science staff and Commissioner Keliher will need to weigh in on calendar days should breaks be needed to allow for the appropriate oversight on the resource. Boyce/Guenther:

Motion: Move Fridays from Jan/Feb to December for the Zone 2 Drag calendar. Motion passed unanimously. Discussion at the table focused on not maintaining dive harvest days in the month of November for Zone 2 with the intent of using the Zone 1 dive calendar as a pilot to see how it impacts the fishery. Jones/Cox:

Motion: Move dive harvest days in November (11/26 & 11/27) into April (4/8 and 4/9). Motion failed (2/3/3) Wotton/Haycock:

Motion: move to accept the Zone 2 dive calendar with the following amendment: shift the 5 dive harvest days in November to some other period, preferably April (8th – 12th). Motion passed with one abstention (7/0/1).

Jones/Haycock:

Motion: recommend to DMR that drag and dive harvesters have equal access (# of days) statewide to areas that are potentially closed through emergency action. Motion unanimously passed.

Zone 3: Jones/Cox

Motion: move November dive days to March and maintain a 3 drag/3 dive day calendar. Additionally, move limited access days for diving in Whiting and Dennys Bay to Saturdays. Motion passed unanimously for both calendars as amended.

OTHER BUSINESS

Industry Funded Apprentice Program for drag licenses

M. Smith reported that the limited entry lottery would begin this fall with licenses being issued for the start of the 2019 scallop

season. However, there was still interest to discuss and plan for an alternate limited entry program under the style of an

apprenticeship program. Tad Miller initiated a meeting with DMR staff (M. Smith and D. Gilbert) with a group of fishermen

from various parts of the state to discuss what would be needed to move towards an industry funded apprentice program for

scallop drag licenses [see Appendix D for more information].

It was determined by the Council that this strawman outline for the program was a good start and supported additional work

on this idea.

Guenther/Haycock:


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Motion: support apprentice concept as developed, continue to work out the kinks and hold off on a lottery until the

apprentice program is fully sorted out. Motion passed (10/0/1).

Revisit drag size restrictions in Ch 11

There are three areas within regulation, Chapter 11.05, that restrict drag size: Kittery, Swans Island Conservation Area and

Gouldsboro. These areas are open to changes through proposed rulemaking. There are also three areas that have drag

restrictions but are detailed in Statute and would require legislative action to amend. These areas are: Cobscook Bay, Blue Hill

Bay and Frenchboro Cable Area.

Scallop Advisory Council discussed how to proceed and there was consensus to recommend amending the drag restriction.

Wotton/Jones:

Motion: to remove the drag size restrictions in Gouldsboro Bay [Ch. 11.05(2)], Swans Island Conservation Area [Ch.

11.05(4)], and Kittery Area [Ch. 11.05(5)] allowing drag sizes up to the state maximum of 10.6’ to harvest. Motion

passed (5/2/1).

Boyce/Jones:

Motion: for DMR to recommend/support statutory changes to remove the conservation buffer area around the

Frenchboro cable area. Motion passed unanimously.

Guenther/Haycock:

Motion: recommend that DMR identify and define active versus inactive cable areas; and, reopen inactive cable areas

for harvest. Motion passed unanimously.

Since these restrictions are statutory, the SAC may also seek a legislative sponsor as well to further address this issue.

Meeting adjourned at 7:34pm.


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Appendix A Meeting Slides


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8


9


10


11


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Appendix B Kevin Kelly’s Slides


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14


15


16


17


18


19


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21


22


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Appendix C SAC Calendar Recommendations

O Zone 1 Limited Access Areas Draggers O Open Closed

December 2018

S M Tu W Th F S S M Tu W Th F S

1 1 2 3 4 5

O O

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

O O O O

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

O O O O O O O

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

O O O O O O O

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 31

O O O O O O O

30 31

O

10 0.7 7 18 0.4 8


1 2 1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

O O O O O O O O

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

O O O O O O O O

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

O O O O O O O O

24 25 26 27 28 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

O O O O O O O O

16 0.3 5 30 31

16

Total Days Total Limited Access Areas Days Total Weeks

60 12 17

DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT 2018 - 2019 Scallop Season Calendar

Zone One (1)60 Day DRAG Season (15 gallons)

January 2019

February 2019 March 2019

O Zone 1 Limited Access Areas Divers O Open Closed

November 2018 December 2018

S M Tu W Th F S S M Tu W Th F S S M Tu W Th F S

1 2 3 1 1 2 3 4 5

O O O O O

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

O O O O O

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

O O O O O

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

O O O O O O O

25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 31

O O O O O O O

30 31

5 20 0.7 14 4 0.4 2

0.7 4


1 2 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6

O O O O O O

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

O O O O O

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

O O O O O O O O O O

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

O O O O O

24 25 26 27 28 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30

O O O O O

0.3 0 30 31

16

0

15

Total Days

60

Total Limited Access Areas Days Total Weeks

16 13


Zone One (1) 60 Day DIVE Season (15 gallons)

January 2019

February 2019 March 2019 April 2019


24


December 2018


1 1 2 3 4 5

O O

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

O O O O O O O O O

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

O O O O O O O O O

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

O O O O O O O O O

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 31

O O O O O O O O

30 31

O

20 0.7 14 18 0.4 8


1 2 1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

O O O O O O O O

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

O O O O O O O O

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

O O O O O O O O

24 25 26 27 28 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

O O O O O O O O

16 0.3 5 31

16

0 0.3 0 0.5 0


70 0 17


Zone Two (2)70 Day DRAG Season (15 gallons)

January 2019





1 2 3 1 1 2 3 4 5

O O O O

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

O O O O O O O

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

O O O O O O O

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

O O O O O O O

25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 31

O O O O O

30 31

0 17 0.7 12 13 0.4 6

0.7 0


1 2 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6

O O O O O O O O O O

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

O O O O O O O O O O O O

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

O O O O O O

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

O O O O O O O O

24 25 26 27 28 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30

O O O O O O

0.3 0 30 31

10

12

18

Total Days Total Weeks

70 20


Zone Two (2)70 Day DIVE Season (15 gallons)

January 2019

Total Limited Access Areas Days

0

March 2019 April 2019February 2019


25


December 2018


1 1 2 3 4 5

O O

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

O O O O O O

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

O O O O O O

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

O O O O O O

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 31

O O O O O

30 31

O

12 0.7 8 14 0.4 6


1 2 1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

O O O O O O

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

O O O O O O

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

O O O O O O

24 25 26 27 28 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

O O O O O O

30 31

12 0.3 4

12

0 0.3 0 0.5 0


50 17 17


Zone Three (3)50 Day DRAG Season (10 gallons)

January 2019





1 2 3 1 1 2 3 4 5

O O O O

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

O O O O O O

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

O O O O O O

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

O O O O O O

25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 31

O O O O

30 31

0 13 0.7 9 13 0.4 6

0.7 0


1 2 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6

O O O O

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

O O O O O O

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

O O O O O O

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

O O O O O O

24 25 26 27 28 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30

O O

0.3 0 30 31

0

12

12

Total Days Total Weeks

50 18


Zone Three (3) 50 Day DIVE Season (10 gallons)

January 2019

Total Limited Access Areas Days

17

March 2019 April 2019February 2019


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Appendix D

Industry Funded Apprentice Program Strawman


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Appendix E

Additional Landings Information

*all 2017 and 2018 data are preliminary and subject to change without notice.

*all 2017 and 2018 data are preliminary and subject to change without notice.

Table 1: Non-Commerical Scallop Landings by Season

Season Meat Pounds #Harvesters

13-14 282 10

14-15 439 16

15-16 324 16

16-17 661 31

17-18 346 18

Season DISPOSITION MeatPounds #Harvesters Percent Total

13-14 Food 82,464 117 21.97%

13-14 Personal Use 11,721 60 3.12%

13-14 Sold to Dealer 281,239 222 74.91%

14-15 Food 98,712 120 17.03%

14-15 Personal Use 19,528 66 3.37%

14-15 Sold to Dealer 461,339 254 79.60%

15-16 Food 103,356 111 19.22%

15-16 Personal Use 28,339 71 5.27%

15-16 Sold to Dealer 406,122 249 75.51%

16-17 Food 128,443 112 15.59%

16-17 Personal Use 28,328 75 3.44%

16-17 Sold to Dealer 667,305 285 80.98%

17-18 Food 68,191 58 21.18%

17-18 Personal Use 10,345 40 3.21%

17-18 Sold to Dealer 243,416 141 75.61%

Table 2: Commercial Landings by Disposition

Season #Trips MeatPounds #Harvesters Pounds/Trip

16-17 539 33,944 50 63

17-18 82 3,769 18 46

Table 3: All Scallop Diver Data (commercial & non-commercial).

meeting summary compiled by nick popoff and melissa smith. …€¦ · meeting summary compiled by...

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