Maine Clammer’s Association Members Update

Dear MCA Members:

Let me begin by saying thank you to all of you for supporting the efforts of the MCA. If there is one thing we have learned fighting and working for Maine’s clammers, it is that people that do not have some sort of unified representation are the ones most likely to get swept under the rug.

Another thing we have learned is it is difficult to try and implement changes overnight. While planning for a future beyond a season is difficult for many clammers, in order to be truly successful we must dig in for the long haul and begin working on both short and long term initiatives. The key for Maine’s clammers and shellfish farmers is to continue stepping forward into a modern role as stewards of the ocean and leaders in sustainable resource management.

Many people have no idea how close wild harvesting of Maine clams came to being a thing of the past. When DMR changed the way it sampled water in 2004-05, it lead to a wave of devastating closures estimated at 140,000 acres, it became just a matter of time before the entire State closed down. That’s when it became clear that no longer could we continue to be the happy clammer digging on the flats not paying attention to all the threats facing the Maine Shellfish Industry.

MCA SANTA FUND

Helping underprivileged kids at Christmas? The clammers cannot go wrong here. Ten percent of all MCA event proceeds will be dedicated to the MCA Clam Santa Fund. A process that distributes the funds evenly to the four regional districts (Downeast, Stonington -Deer Isle, Mid-Coast and Southern Maine) will be developed in October. Any ideas that you may have to aid the MCA in determining eligibility and selection for the program would be appreciated. We will be mailing all members a reminder in October to contribute to this important program.

MCA WEBSITE

We do have a website, but we are really not there yet. We really need some help with website coordination to make this work. Do you know anyone that knows something about website management to help us? The MCA has worked this past winter on various ideas and has drafted some literature that we plan to make available to municipal shellfish commissions at our website www.maineclammers.com as soon as possible.

Special Thanks

To Dr. Brian Beal for his support of the MCA and for representing Downeast Maine when he stood up in before the Marine Resources Committee against Commissioner LaPointe’s attempts to gut the Maine Shellfish Industry.

To Anna Bourakouvski---for her incredible response when thrust into an almost impossible situation within the growing area classification program at DMR and for showing compassion to the people who depend on the flats to feed to their families.

Congratulations to MCA member Don Card on his retirement as a Department of Marine Resource area biologist. You will be greatly missed by the towns that you served so well! Best wishes to you and wife Betsy!

Is the Future Grit Free?

It looks that way. Word on the flats is that three new operations have been approved for wet storage permits this spring. The only thing we wild clammers are left to wonder is why would anyone want to purge the organic phytoplankton that clams feed on from their belly before consumption? It’s possibly the healthiest plant matter known to mankind, not to mention a source of that wild flavor.

It’s All About the Kids in the End

The only way to bring about real change on many issues that affect shell fisherman is through the education of our youth. From regularly including shellfish into a healthy diet to picking up after Fido it’s ultimately going to be in the hands of our children, so get after your shellfish commission to initiate an annual presentation in the school system in your town or region.

Raw Chicken or Pork Anyone?

Didn’t think so. You shouldn’t eat raw softshell clams either. The MCA will be starting what’s sure to be a long and drawn out battle at the ISSC (Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference) to establish cooked product standards for Maine’s soft shelled clams. Continuing to hold clams to a ‘raw’ standard is ridiculous and futile. The fact of the matter is almost all Maine clams are shucked or steamed, and as a result, almost no one has become ill from eating them. Let’s get some rules in effect that reflect that.

Thanks to MCA Stewards of the Ocean ($100 or greater contribution)

2007-08

Peter and Sharon Coffin Jake and Mary Damone James and Becky Daniel Peter Grant and Randy Pepper Brad Guay Chuck and Janet Harrison Alice Ingraham John and Nancy Lovetere Paul Martino Tamas Peredy Andrew Roth-Wells Jerry Senger Jim Slocum Ron Smith Gary Smith Suzan Wilson	Rick Baietti Tom Belanger (2009) Howard Bamforth III Tom Bennett Sr. David Bourget Chad Coffin Gary Crouse John Golding II Clint Goodenow Ken Goodenow Karl Groves Jim Harriman Tom Howell (Spinney Creek Shellfish) David Little Patrick Looby	John McIntosh Paul Mateosian Virginia Olsen (Oceanville Seafood) Randy Ramsdell (Machias Bay Seafood0 Abden Simmons (A A Shellfish) Garrett Simmons (S S Seafood) Ralph Swanson Terry Twomey (Two Tides Seafood) Thanks Shellfish Commission Memberships ($150 or greater contribution) Cumberland Shellfish Commission (2009-10) Freeport Shellfish Commission (2009-10) Northeast Harbor Shellfish Commission (2008-09) Scarborough Shellfish Commission (2008-09) Wiscasset Shellfish Commission (2008-09) Waldoboro Shellfish Commission (2008-09) Winter Point Inc.

 

 

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